The Depot: Live Game Blog, News And Notes

Let’s get it started. …

6:25: LHP Matt Harrison hits 96 on radar gun in Detroit in the first inning. I really don’t remember him being a guy who had this kind of velocity when he joined the organization. I thought the velocity ranged from 90-93. If he’s touching 95-96, he potentially vaults himself into a whole new stratosphere.

6:38: Frank Francisco threw in a simulated game environment Wednesday and reported no discomfort, according to assistant GM Thad Levine. If there are no issues, Francisco could be activated from the DL on Friday.

(more…)

Rangers Change Pitching Coaches At Double-A Frisco

Joe Slusarski has been relieved of duty just one month into his first season at Frisco, where the Rangers stash their top pitching talent on the way to the majors. The Rangers did not give a reason for the dismissal, but sources indicated it was not due to a substance abuse or legal issue. It was conveyed that it simply was not a good fit.

Slusarski was considered one of the Nolan Ryan hires for the farm system this winter, but he also had a previous relationship with Player Development Director Scott Servais. While Slusarski worked with Ryan at Round Rock, he played with Servais in the Houston system. He will be replaced by Jeff Andrews, who has asom major league coaching time with Pittsburgh.

Pool Repairs Completed: Rangers Home Run Pool Returns

I’m the FSN Pre- and Post-Game analyst tonight on Rangers Live! with the lovey and talented Dana Larson, so be sure to tune in at 5:30 to catch some insights. But keep yourself busy between now and then with the Home Run Pool. Here is your Rangers lineup against Detroit RHP Justin Verlander (yes, it is without Josh Hamilton for the second consecutive day):

2B Ian Kinsler, LF David Murphy, 3B Michael Young, DH Hank Blalock (1 HR vs. Verlander), CF Marlon Byrd, RF Nelson Cruz, 1B Chris Davis, C Taylor Teagarden, SS Elvis Andrus and pitching for the Rangers. … LHP Matt Harrison.

Prime Time Rangers: How Much Air Time Do Rangers Get From Worldwide Leader?

EDITOR’S NOTE: With this post, we officially welcome intern Ryan Jones to the fold. Ryan is a recent graduate of the University of Texas, who for some strange reason, wants to pursue a career in sports journalism. We’re getting him used to what it’s like out there, little pay, lots of orders to follow. Gosh, I love interns, but not say in the way that Bill Clinton loves them. – Evan Grant

There are two reasons why the Rangers hadn’t garnered much attention in the national media over the last few years:

1. They aren’t the Yankees.
2. Their results on the field weren’t great.

Emphasis on the weren’t. For the surprising results, you’ll just to have to follow along.

(more…)

It’s Happy Hour At Viral Video: Rangers Pitcher Matt Harrison

We had Jon Daniels this morning and tonight’s starter Matt Harrison this afternoon. Where else can you get a double dose of Rangers video in one business day?

Viral Video: Rangers GM Jon Daniels Returns

Apparently not permanently scarred by his first appearance on the VV channel, Rangers GM Jon Daniels stopped by our coach – I think it was from the Merv Griffin set – at Frisco’s Dr Pepper Ballpark on Tuesday. Of course, like all Rangers officials, he cracks wise on me, but also offers insights on the first-place Rangers, the team defense, chemistry and whether he’s already searching for a pitcher on the trade market.

Road To Arlington: Rangers Minor League Report (5/20)

Today’s report is a tale of two pitchers, both drafted in 2005 by the Rangers. One has been haunted by control problems. One has dealt with an elbow injury. Neither has ever been touted among the team’s top prospects.

But this year’s numbers are hard to ignore.

Let me introduce to LHP Michael Kirkman (an MJH sleeper), who is suddenly dominating the Class A California League, and RHP Matt Nevarez, who has been unhittable as a reliever all season at Class A Hickory. Kirkman was a fifth-round pick in the draft that was perhaps best known for the surprising selection of John Mayberry Jr. in the first round. Nevarez was the 10th rounder. Both were tall kids and then-manager Buck Showalter, who took an unnatural interest in the draft procedings, said of the Ragners’ pitching draft class “that’s what they look like.”

Well for the most part, they may have looked like pitchers, but they certainly didn’t act like them. The top pitching pick in the class, RHP Shane Funk, was a colossal failure when it came to command and control and he’s long since gone from the organization. The only pitcher from the class to appear in the majors to this point is RHP Doug Mathis. And until recently, it looked like Mathis would be the only one to ever appear in the majors.

Recently, though, Kirkman and Nevarez have started to raise some eyebrows. Read on to find out what’s caused all that.

(more…)

Did The Cowboys Get The Wrong Receiver?

I haven’t touched much on the Dallas Cowboys situation since draft weekend, but I read something a few days ago that got me a bit fired up about what the theme will be moving in 2009 for this team.

The column in question was from The Star Telegram on Sunday where Randy Galloway was writing a very interesting compare/contrast between the Cowboys, Rangers, and Mavericks big trades of the last few years to see how things have worked out.

The premise of it was that the Rangers got the Braves/Teixeira trade totally right (they did), the Mavs got the Kidd trade totally wrong (they did), and the Cowboys sweat out the results of the Roy Williams deal (they do).

In my estimation, (and I am sure he will be glad that a radio guy is estimating anything he wrote) his conclusion is absolutely solid, but my issue is with his last idea on the Cowboys:

But as we await the verdict, a nagging doubt centers on another receiver, Anquan Boldin of the Cardinals. The same first, third and other draft picks, plus the $20 million guaranteed on Roy’s new contract, would have fetched Boldin in a deal.

That’s like asking if you’d rather have Devin/two first-rounders or Kidd.

Really?

(more…)