Texas Rangers fans have to keep an eye on this overlooked minor-league pitcher

We are close to halfway through the minor league baseball schedule this season. The Texas Rangers have some prospects performing better than expected in 2024. One of those prospects having an outstanding season is Dane Acker.

He was one of the names in the Elvis Andrus trade a couple of seasons ago. At 25, he is starting to show that he has the potential to be an ace for the Rangers in a few years. Let's look at how he's doing in his first season with the Frisco RoughRiders.

Acker has been one of the consistent starters for the Roughriders this season. The 27th-ranked prospect in the Rangers minor league system started the season strong by striking out seven batters in 4.2 innings. He had a 0.68 ERA through his first three starts this year. He's consistently overpowered hitters over the last few months, which the Rangers have been impressed with. He could find a spot on the Rangers' roster as a starter or a long-relief pitcher not too long from now.

The one thing that the Rangers are concerned with is the fact he's undergone multiple Tommy John surgery. Acker has an impressive arsenal of pitches, but has had trouble since the surgery utilizing all of them to the best of his ability. His three main offerings are his two-seamer fastball, curveball, and changeup. He's done an outstanding job this season by mixing them up and keeping batters guessing what's coming next.

Fans have wondered why Acker hasn't ended up in Triple-A with how he's been pitching this season. The reason is because there's no room right now for him in Round Rock. Another reason why he hasn't been promoted is because the Rangers probably want him to have an entire season in Double-A before promoting him to the next level, especially with all that he's been through.

By the end of the season, he should climb up the Rangers prospect list. When he gets those pitches under control and remastered, Acker will be a lethal arm for the Rangers. It might take a couple more seasons for it to happen, but it's worth the wait. He's doing well with the Frisco RoughRiders for now.

If you live in the North Texas Area, attend his next start in Frisco and watch him strike out the competition one batter at a time.