FanPost

Max, er, I mean May in Frisco

Team Overview   Frisco has bludgeoned the opposition to a 34-18 record, best in the league, and leads the South Division by 7 games.  The offense ranks 1st in avg., slg. and OPS, and is 2nd in OBP.  They're also 1st in HRs, TBs, and K's.  They're scoring more than a run per game above league average (6.20/5.14). 

The pitching staff thanks the offense profusely.  Frisco pitchers allow 5.33 runs per game, and their 4.75 ERA is about 1/4 run above league average.  The team WHIP (1.53) is a hair below league worst, and they rank worst in BB's allowed, and 2nd lowest in K's.

 

Hitters

  • Max Ramirez  C    April - .357/.444/.643; May - .389/.467/.700  Even Josh Hamilton rises when he enters the room. 
  • Ben Harrison  OF  April - .355/.400/.613; May - .330/.443/.617  If it weren't for his teammates he might the talk of the system.  He's 26 so it's real nice that he's showing what he is capable of when healthy, especially in a system weak in corner OF. 
  • Elvis Andrus  SS  April - .260/.302/.310; May - .278/.343/.322   Last month I wrote that due to his youth we should be more concerned with progress month to month than overall numbers.  The numbers improved a tic across the board, and he was 14 of 15 in stolen base attempts in May. 
  • Steve Murphy  OF  April - .337/.378/.551; May - .253/.275/.453   Streaky Steve was not able to sustain his hot April.  4 years and 4 months older than Andrus, he does not have the luxury of time.
  • Craig Gentry  OF   Will he lose his spot to Borbon soon?

Pitchers

  • Matt Harrison  3-1, 3.15   After returning from a stint on the DL with arm fatigue, Harrison threw a no-hitter (7 IP).  Oddly enough, 6 of his 14 BB's came in that game.  His overall numbers reflect a couple of rough outings right before he went on the DL.  Since returning:  2-0, 1.59 with a measly .185 BAA, and a 1.06 WHIP.
  • Tommy Hunter  6-5, 3.84 overall, 1-1, 5.25 in Frisco.  11 starts, 11 decisions, I'll bet he's one of Nolan Ryan's favorites.  This guy is not afraid to throw strikes, a 4% walk rate overall, and a nearly 5-1 K/BB ratio.  Lots of ground outs.  The Rangers will want to improve on defense before calling him up sometime in 2009.
  • Thomas Diamond   1-0, 6.52   One of the most heartening things I saw when watching Hunter's first AA start was Thomas Diamond standing with his teammates for the national anthem.  He'll probably resemble a roller coaster for a while getting going again.
  • Michael Schlact  2-4, 4.97   I keep waiting for his numbers to reflect some of the nice things said about his stuff by some.  Very inconsistent.
  • Andrew Laughter   1-0, 0.66 overall; 0-0, 1.64 in Frisco   That ERA looks nice, but Laughter has had some trouble adjusting to AA.  10 BB's in 11 IP, and a BABIP of just .172...  His ground ball rate is still healthy, though, so if he can get the walks under control he'll be doing well even when the luck evens out.
  • Brennan Garr    1-0, 6.00   A 2.35 ERA in May, has been much better since  returning from the DL.
  • Brian Gordon   2-0, 0.47   We don't normally get too excited about 29-yr. olds, but Gordon is a converted outfielder who didn't pitch until 2007.  15 K's, 2 BB's in Frisco since joining them a month ago after the Rangers signed him.  Hat tip to Scott Lucas for bringing him to notice this morning.