Road To Arlington: Rangers Minor League Report (5/17)

Hickory's Erik Morrison as a Kansas Jayhawk

Is it possible that this guy might be a prospect? Because he’s doing a heck of an impression of one right now.

A 46th rounder in last year’s draft, the Arroyo Grande, California native was a four-year star at the University of Kansas where he played for coach Ritch Price, who first started following him when he was just 10 years old, playing against — and then with — Coach Price’s son Ryne while the elder Price was head coach at Cal Poly. He was known as much for his leadership qualities and his intensity as much as his phyical ability at KU and after being drafted by Pittsburgh in the 48th round of the 2007 draft, decided to return to Lawrence for his senior season.

Primarily a shortstop in college, he’s been turned into a super-utility guy who can play anywhere. He spent a little time with Bakersfield last year and saw his first action of this season with Frisco even though he’d been a pro for less than a year. Clearly, the 23 year old’s designated role is to be available to do anything, anywhere. An organizational solider. But hey, he’s got a contract which means he has an opportunity. And if he keeps doing what he’s doing for Hickory so far, there’s no reason he can’t start to be viewed as a something more than a dude who will do anything to keep putting the uniform on.

Triple-A: Tacoma 8 @ Oklahoma City 3

RHP Josh Rupe conversion from reliever to starter got off to a bumpy start as the Virginia native surrendered five runs on eight hits, a wild pitch and three walks in 5.1 innings.

Recently acquired LHP Mike Hinckley, a former top prospect in the Nats system, inherited two runners with one out in the seventh and stranded both as part of his 1.2 scoreless frames of relief.

The punchless OKC lineup — which ranks second-last in the 16-team PCL in both slugging percentage and OPS — failed to deliver an extra-base hit, dribbling out seven singles. LF Brandon Boggs (.263 / .397 / .316) went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI sac fly, SS Joaquin Arias (.261/.285/.313) went 2-for-4 and DH Max Ramirez (.231 / .281 / .327) plated two in a 1-for-5 outing.

Double-A: Frisco @ Corpus Christi

Wet

Advanced-A: @ Visalia 9, Bakersfield 3

Visalia got their second look at LHP Richard Bleier in six days and evidently figured him out during the interim. After the Florida native held the Rawhide to two runs on seven hits in 7.2 innings in his Cal League debut last week, Visalia turned the tables and tuned him up for eight runs in ten hits in five innings yesterday.

The story in Bakersfield continues to be the May performance of CF Engel Beltre (.233 / .282 / .323) who extended a nine-game hitting streak with a 2-for-5 outing from the two hole that raised his May line to .349 / .404 / .442.

1B Mitch Moreland (.370 / .435 / .644), who is second in the Cal League in OPS and fourth in batting average, went 3-for-5 to drive in one.

Class-A: @ Hickory 5, Lake County 3 (5 Innings)

They just managed to get this one in before the rain descended upon L.P. Frans Stadium. RHP Carlos Pimentel (2-1; 3.93) went the distance, giving up three while scattering six hits and three walks, fanning six.

Former Kansas Jayhawk and 2008 46th rounder 2B Erik Morrison (.413/.420/.761) went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, driving in three overall. Morrison has played in 13 games for Hickory and has hit safely in 12 of them, including the last 11 in a row. Five of his last seven starts have resulted in multi-hit performances.