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Road To Arlington: Rangers Minor League Report (6/7)

Julio Borbon in Surprise

My best guess is that whether or not he makes it back to the field this year, you’re never going to see Josh Hamilton play center field again.

It’s pretty obvious that nobody wants to see Andruw Jones in center field anymore. Marlon Byrd can hold the position down reasonably well. He’s probably not a great defensive center fielder at this point, but still pretty good. Brandon Boggs can play anywhere in the outfield and hold his own. But I don’t think any of those guys are the long-term solution.

The long-term solution is going to be Oklahoma City CF Julio Borbon, who after going 3-for-4 from the top of the RedHawks order last night is hitting .291 / .352 / .359 for the season. What is interesting about Borbon’s performance this year is this: after striking out a little more than twice as much as he walked in his two stops last year (Bakersfield and Frisco), he’s drawn 18 walks while striking out just 20 times so far this year.

That’s the sort of thing that always gets my attention. When a prospect attacks a weakness and succeeds, I’m impressed. The demonstrated ability to learn and adapt and adjust is, in my opinion, the sixth “tool.” That Borbon seems to excel in this department comes as no surprise. He’s a very bright young man and a hard worker.

Factoring in his speed and defensive profile, Borbon figures to be a player very much like Boston’s Jacoby Ellsbury at the plate, on the bases and in the field. He’ll be a much different player than Rangers fans are used to seeing roam the vast center field at Rangers Ballpark, but when you finally get a chance to see him on a regular basis, you’ll realize — like many of you did when you first got a chance to see Elvis on a regular basis — what great defense at the position really looks like.

In light of Hamilton’s situation, we’ll be keeping a close eye on the progress of Borbon who, less than two years after being drafted, is just about ready for his big league debut.

Triple-A: @ Albuquerque 14, Oklahoma City 3

The good news is that RHP Tommy Hunter was reasonably effective, allowing a run on five hits and no walks, striking out one in 2.1 innings (38 pitches, 29 strikes). Once he left, the RedHawks bullpen imploded. RHP Brian Gordon (4-2; 4.33) gave up seven runs in 1.2 innings and RHP John Bannister (5.74 ERA) surrendered five runs in two innings.

Double-A: NW Arkansas 4 @ Frisco 3

LHP Matt Harrison’s rehab start went well, limiting the Naturals to a run on three hits and a walk, fanning five in three innings (41 pitches, 26 strikes).

RHP Jared Hyatt (8.74 ERA) enjoyed his best outing of the year, allowing just one run on three hits and a walk in 4.1 frames.

Two hitters who have recently been promoted from Bakersfield led the Frisco lineup. RF Mitch Moreland (.300 / .317 / .475 through 10 games) hit his first Texas League homer in a 2-for-4 outing and LF Tim Smith, playing in his second game for Frisco, went 2-for-3 with a double and a sacrifice, adding a stolen base.

Advanced-A: @ San Jose 5, Bakersfield 2

Strange. LHP Richard Bleier (2-4; 5.45) had an outing that was neither dominating nor horrible. He surrendered four runs on six hits and a walk, fanning seven in six innings.

1B Ian Gac accounted for half of Bakersfield’s hits and all of their runs. The big fella went 2-for-4 with a two-run bomb in the seventh.

Class-A: @ Hickory 5, Greensboro 2

RHP Jake Brigham (4.14 ERA) was solid, allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits and a pair of walks, striking out four through the first four innings, but LHP Martin Perez (2-3; 2.70) was great — again — blanking the Grasshoppers on three hits and one walk, punching out three in 4.1 frames.

The Hickory lineup was paced by 2B-3B Erik Morrison (.345 / .406 / .619) who went 2-for-3 with a double, his fifth homer of the year, and a walk to drive in two runs. The Sally League’s best hitter had an off night as RF Mike Bianucci (.353 / .406 / .641) singled twice in four trips.

Perez has 57 strikeouts (10.26 K/9) and 16 walks (3.56 K/BB) in 50 innings of work this year. His WHIP is 1.20, his G/F ratio is 1.62, he’s surrendered just two dingers and the Sally League is hitting .239 against him. With runners in scoring position, they are hitting .104 / .132 / .146. The southpaw is holding right-handed hitters to a .235 / .283 / .356 line.

What don’t you like?