Texas Rangers Weekly Report 23: Saddle Up and Let’s Ride

Let’s give credit to the Texas Rangers for going 3-3 this past week. In order to become a playoff team, you have to take baby steps. But I want to turn your attention to their minor league team just a bit north of Arlington.

The Frisco RoughRiders are in the playoffs for the first time since 2014. That is a huge accomplishment considering all the players getting promoted to Triple-A throughout the season. They took on the San Antonio Missions in the Texas League South Championship.

The RoughRiders were able to sweep them this week and advance to the Texas League championship against the Wichita Wind Surge. Tickets are five dollars for Sunday’s game so if you are in the North Texas Area, go check them out.

Now let’s see who made the lists this week in this week’s lists in this edition of the Texas Rangers Weekly Report.

Texas Rangers Weekly Report: Who’s Hot

Cole Ragans

Ragans had a really good game this past week against the Angels. In 4.2 innings, Ragans only allowed two runs and struck out five. He did give up seven hits which was the downside but that’s why he isn’t on the list. The reason why is two of those strikeouts were Trout and Ohtani back-to-back. I’m surprised he didn’t keep the ball and get it signed by both of them after the game.

Aaron Zavala 

Zavala might just end up on the Ranger’s 40-man roster next season. He was instrumental this week in both playoff games against the San Antonio Missions. He crushed a go-ahead homer in the first game against the Missions. In the second game, he got things going with a two-run home run. Here is the go ahead home run in game one against the Missions.

Jonathan Ornelas

The reason why Ornelas made the list is due to him tying Joaquin Arias’ 2005 record for the most hits by a RoughRider in a season with 175 hits. I was hoping that he would break the record but he has had an incredible season with the RoughRiders and might get promoted to Triple-A next season.

Cody Bradford

Bradford is another prospect that I see getting promoted to Triple-A next season. Bradford got to start the second playoff game against the Missions and did he pitch a gem. In seven innings, Bradford only allowed two hits and struck out nine. He is one of the shining examples that the Rangers have a really good farm system.

Josh Smith

Let’s conclude The Who’s Hot List with probably the highlight of the season (just kidding Jung). Smith finally got his first home run that went over the wall. It was awesome to see him smile after all the hits that have fell just short of the wall. Here’s the highlight of him sending this ball soaring into the bleachers.

Texas Rangers Weekly Report: Who’s Not Hot

Dennis Santana

Santana needs to go after this season is over. I don’t know what has happened to him over the course of the season. I was at the game where he came in for Ragans in the fourth inning and he basically gave the game to the Angels in a gift basket after that. That can’t happen if the Rangers want to compete for the World Series.

Hernán Pérez

I saw this blooper that isn’t Rangers related but it has to go in The Who’s Not Hot list.  Pérez plays for the Gwinnett Stripers, the Triple-A Affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. He hit a “home run” on Thursday night and basically trotted around the bases until he found out the outfield caught it as he rounded third.

Let’s just say this will be in the SportsCenter Not Top 10 this week.

Texas Rangers Upcoming Schedule

September 23-25 Home vs Cleveland Guardians

September 27-29 Away vs Seattle Mariners