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The Texas Rangers have promoted a couple of their minor league starting pitchers, with Frisco righthander Alec Asher moving up to AAA Round Rock, and High Desert lefty Frank Lopez replacing him at Frisco.
The 23 year old Asher was the Rangers' 4th round draft pick in the 2012 draft. He spent the 2014 season at Frisco, putting up a 3.80 ERA in 154 IP, returning there in 2015 largely because the Round Rock rotation was full to start the season. Asher has a 3.98 ERA in 43 IP for Frisco this year, with 43 Ks, 18 walks and 3 home runs allowed. Asher has drawn comparisons to Colby Lewis, with his big build (he's listed at 6'4", 230 lbs.) and four pitch arsenal.
Lopez, 21, was moved from High Desert to extended spring training in a procedural move earlier this week to open up a roster spot for righthander Connor Sadzeck, who is working his way back from having Tommy John surgery in 2014. Lopez is a smallish lefty out of Venezuela, and while he doesn't throw hard, he's consistently gotten results since the start of last season. Lopez had a 2.73 ERA in 79 IP split between the AZL and low-A Hickory last year. This year, Lopez is sporting a 2.95 ERA in 42.2 IP over 7 starts, with 43 Ks, 8 walks and 4 homers allowed.
