Guzman, Mendez promoted to AAA Round Rock

First baseman Ronald Guzman and lefthanded pitcher Yohander Mendez were promoted from AA Frisco to AAA Round Rock yesterday, the most prominent of a series of moves in the minor league system that the Rangers effectuated immediately after the trade deadline.

Guzman and Mendez, each 21 years old and signed (along with Nomar Mazara) as part of the team's big 2011 J-2 class, have each vaulted up the prospect rankings with strong seasons in 2016.  Guzman has hit .288/.348/.477 for Frisco before his promotion, and promptly celebrated it by going 2 for 4 with a double and a home run yesterday for Round Rock.  Mendez, meanwhile, started the season at high-A High Desert before earning a promotion to Frisco, and has a combined 2.66 ERA in the minors this year, with 98 Ks against 28 walks in 84.2 IP.

In addition to those two, righthanded relievers John Fasola and Jose Valdespina were also promoted to AAA Round Rock.  Ryan Cordell, meanwhile, was placed on the disabled list.

Also of note is the news that outfielder Leody Taveras and shortstop Anderson Tejeda have been promoted from the AZL to short-season Spokane.  Taveras, 17, was the prize signing from the 2015 J-2 period for Texas, and put up a 1005 OPS in the DSL before behind sent to the AZL complex league, where he has slashed .278/.329/.382.  Tejeda, 18, has a .293/.331/.496 slash line in the AZL after a strong 2015 season in the DSL and a strong performance there pre-AZL.

In the meantime, here's video of Guzman's first AAA home run, and a Joey Gallo home run from last night: