Texas Rangers: Joey Gallo Assigned and Other Moves

With less than two weeks away from Opening Day the Texas Rangers made their second wave of roster moves today.

Optioned to Round Rock Express (AAA)

RHP Spencer Patton – Patton making breaking camp with Texas was probably a long shot, but considering how he performed last season after the Rangers dealt Jason Frasor I felt there was still a good chance of him making it. Last season Patton had a record of 1-0 with a 0.96 ERA and giving up only 6 hits over 9 games (9.1 IP). I still think we could see him by season’s end.

Spring Training pitch line: 0-0, 6.23 ERA, 5 G, 1 GF, 4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R/ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 4 SO

C Tomas Telis – The 23-year old switch-hitter entered camp after finishing the 2014 season with the Texas Rangers where he made 17 starts at catcher. Although Telis played well in camp, this came as no surprise. Especially with the Rangers’ acquisition of Carlos Corporan, and Chris Gimenez still vying for a spot.

Spring Training batting line: .400/.400/.533, 8 G, 1 R, 6 H, 2 doubles, 2 RBI

Optioned to Frisco (AA)

C Jorge Alfaro – As the Texas Rangers’ No. 3 prospect expectations for Alfaro are very high. He is only 21-years old and needs more time behind the plate. He certainly wouldn’t get that with Texas. I have no doubts that we’ll get to see Alfaro in Arlington soon, just not this season.

Spring Training batting line: .313/.313/.500, 12 G, 3 R, 5 H, 1 double, 1 triple, 4 RBI

Assigned to Minor League Camp

1B Kyle Blanks – I was rooting for Blanks to break camp with the team, even if it was highly unlikely with Prince Fielder and Mitch Moreland being healthy (no jinx, no jinx, no jinx). Over the last 6 seasons, Blanks has been riddled with minor injuries and this Spring Training was no different. He is still trying to come back from achilles (both) tendonitis and I still think once Blanks is fully healthy he could make an impact with the Texas Rangers.

Spring Training batting line: .235/.222/.235, 9 G, 2 R, 4 H, 2 RBI

Texas Rangers

3B

– I know this move will disappoint many of you, but keep in mind Gallo needs to get more at-bats and more playing time at third. Once he shows continued discipline and becomes better defensively I’ll be excited to see him in Arlington, just not before then.

Spring Training batting line: .250/.333/.469, 15 G, 6 R, 8 H, 1 double, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 SB

OF Jared Hoying – Looking to earn the left field spot Hoying started off hot in Spring Training, but the last few games he started cooling off. Since he’ll still be in Surprise, I think we’ll see a report or two telling us he’s getting warmed up again and we might see him in The Show by the All-Star break.

Spring Training batting line: .250/.300/.393, 11 G, 3 R, 7 H, 1 double, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1 SB, 1CS

RHP David Martinez – I really can’t give an in-depth reason as to why the Texas Rangers assigned the 27-year old to minor league camp other than it was time to make cuts.

Spring Training pitch line: 0-0, 3.00 ERA, 3 G, 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 3 SO

Lastly, the Texas Rangers released left-handed pitcher Joe Beimel. If you have been keeping up with Spring Training then you aren’t at all upset by this, frankly, neither am I. Beimel pitched in four games (3.0 IP) giving up 13 hits, 14 runs, 11 earned runs, three home runs, while issuing two walks and only earning one strikeout. So, what does this amount to? An ERA of 33.00.

Yes, a 33.00 ERA. Oh, it will cost the Texas Rangers $147,541 for termination pay. But let me say that I’d rather pay the $148K rather than letting him make the active roster and having to pay him $1.5 million he was owed if he had spent any amount of time on there.

With the moves made today the Texas Rangers have 34 players on the 40-man roster.

Next: Don't Rush Joey Gallo