Hans Crouse brings the early morning fire

Hans Crouse, Texas Rangers 2017 second round draft pick, flame-throwing Righthanded pitcher, and (arguably) the top prospect in the Rangers system, continued to rip through South Atlantic League hitters today, dominating Asheville in an early morning game for Hickory.

Crouse did allow his first earned runs of the season today, courtesy of a two run home run, but otherwise his stat line was scintillating— he threw 78 pitches (59 strikes) in 6.2 IP, struck out 8, walked no one, hit a batter, and allowed just the three hits. The 94 mph 0-2 fastball he left over the plate to 2018 first rounder Grant Lavigne was the lone scar on an otherwise sterling performance.

For the season, Crouse now has 14.1 IP, has struck out 19, has allowed 5 hits, hit 2 batters, and walked 0. Hans Crouse not walking anyone would be quite a development.

Meanwhile, in relief, Grant Anderson and Dylan Bice combined to finish things out. Anderson came to Texas in the Connor Sadzeck trade, Bice was a 2016 23rd round pick, and both are guys you probably haven’t heard of, but are part of the deep crop of relief arms that Texas has accumulated that could show up in Arlington in a few years. Bice struggled some today, allowing a two run homer in the ninth, but he’s a hard throwing righthander who has caught a few eyes.

If you’re interested in the bats, Curtis Terry was 2 for 4 with a three run homer, and Miguel Aparicio also went deep.