RoughRiders receive pitcher Erik Hamren

FRISCO, TEXAS (JULY 12, 2014) - The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, received right-handed pitcher Erik Hamren today, the latest acquisition by the Rangers farm system.

Hamren, 27, joined the organization on July 12 when Texas purchased his contract from the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the independent Atlantic League.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound hurler becomes the third player in the past two days to join the RoughRiders from independent ball. A native of Newport Beach, California, Hamren began his professional baseball career in 2008 as a 17th round draft selection of the Chicago Cubs. Upon his release by the Cubs after the 2009 season, Hamren spent a season in the independent Northern League (now defunct) and rejoined affiliated ball as a member of the San Diego Padres system.

He began the 2011 season with Advanced-A Lake Elsinore in the California League and soon earned a promotion to Double-A where he garnered Texas League All-Star honors with the San Antonio Missions. Over 33 appearances and 49 innings with the Missions, Hamren held a 0.92 ERA with 12 walks and 48 strikeouts. 

Hamren made his major league debut after a brief stint in Triple-A on August 1, 2011. Through 14 appearances with the Padres that season, he tossed 12 1/3 innings with a 4.38 ERA and a 1-0 record.

The alumnus of Saddleback College split the 2013 season between the Atlanta and Tampa Bay organizations, respectively, and was out of affiliated baseball in 2014 until the Rangers brought him aboard.

Frisco's roster now stands at 24 active members, one below the Texas League limit.

The RoughRiders conclude a four-game homestand against the Corpus Christi Hooks on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and information on how to see the RoughRiders in 2014, please call (972) 731-9200, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.RidersBaseball.com.