Texas Rangers Minor League Top Performances of June

Triple-A Round Rock Express

Mar 8, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Michael  Choice (15) swings the bat against the Cleveland Indians during to a spring training baseball game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Batter

After spending just one game with the big league club and striking out in his only at-bat, Michael Choice was sent back down to the Express to make room for another pitcher. The Rangers have a large number of MLB ready talent in the outfield and Choice is a casualty of this depth.

Choice started off the season slow, hitting .206/.275/.365 in April and followed it with a .222/.286/.378 slash in May. Choice finally turned it on in June and has made himself a potential replacement for this team if they needed an outfielder. Choice has hit .315/.358/.461 with nine extra base hits and 17 RBI in 95 plate appearances in June.

Even after his great month, Choice is hitting .249/.306/.400  with 23 extra base hits and 36 RBI for the season. With the injuries being suffered by the Rangers this season, the team needs as much talented depth as possible. Choice is nearly two years younger than the rest of the Pacific Coast League so the success he is having is a good sign. At just 25-years-old, fans would be smart not to give up on Choice as a potential role player in the future.

Mar 2, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jerad  Eickhoff (56) poses for a portrait during Photo Day at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Pitcher

It was a busy month for starter Jerad Eickhoff, who started in six games and pitched 34 innings. He finished with a 2-0 record and a 2.65 ERA, striking out 31 while walking just 11. Eickhoff put up two shutout performances, with a six inning shutout performance and a two inning shutout five days later. In his last start on Tuesday, Eickhoff gave up four runs over 7.0 innings but struck out 10 batters without giving up a walk.

Eickhoff improved his season ERA from 5.48 to 4.55 with a great stretch in June. After 13 starts with the Express, Eickhoff has a 6-3 record with a 4.23 ERA in 76.2 innings. Eickhoff is in his fifth season with the Rangers since being drafted in the 15th round and is trying to find a spot in what is going to soon be a young, crowded rotation.

Solid performances from the bullpen came from Luke Jackson (2.13 ERA in 12.2 innings), Jimmy Reyes (0.77 ERA in 11.2 innings), and Francisco Mendoza (1.74 ERA in 10.1 innings).

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