Kirkman Collapses, Round Rock Loses Opener and Some Notes from Single-A

Tonight the Round Rock Express hosted the Iowa Cubs in their season opener. Michael Kirkman was rocked tonight, and that is being generous. Kirkman went three and a third innings allowing ten hits and ten runs. The left hander was good in the first inning allowing a triple but getting two strikeouts. Kirkman then went on to give up four runs in the 2^nd, two in the 3^rd, and four in the 4^th. Not the note a pitcher wants to start the season on.

It’s early in the season so it’s important to not get too hung up on the stats but I’m glad the Rangers went with Ogando in the rotation considering this start. Kirkman has a bright future and will eventually crack the big league roster for good, soon I would imagine.

Round Rock scored nine runs in the game but was unable to get enough to complete the rally. Four the Express there was some solid offense. A player who has seen the big leagues once or twice Esteban German had a good night going two-for-four including a two-run. Chris Davis played third base in the opener and was two-for-five with two hits including a two-run homer as well. Luis Cruz had a home run on the game as well and Endy Chavez was 2 for 5 with an RBI and a stolen base. Sadly my boy Doug Deeds was 0 for 5 on the game; it’ll come for Dougy…don’t worry.

Tomorrow night the Cubs return for game two of the series. RHP Eric Hurley takes the mound for the Express.

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We won’t cover the Single-A teams very often since they aren’t in Texas, but there were some notes from last night’s games I wanted to share.

With the single-A Hickory Crawdads a top prospect for the Rangers, SS Jurickson Profar, hit a home run in his first at bat of the season. Baseball America ranks him the number 2 prospect in the Rangers system. Number nine Prospect, OF Jacob Skole, hit a 3-RBI Double in his first at bat of the season as well on a two-out at bat. That ended up being all the Crawdads needed as they went on to beat the Asheville Tourists 4-2.

We will be covering the Minor League affiliates for the Rangers all season, make sure to check back regularly.

-Jonathan