The minor league season is over. The Down East Wood Ducks are Carolina League co-champions.

Rangers Farm Report: Games of Friday 8 September
Box Scores


High-A: Down East 2, at Buies Creek (HOU) 1 (7)
Down East wins Carolina League semifinals 2-0

SP Brett Martin : 2.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 0 SO
RP Emerson Martinez: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB
RP Jeffrey Springs: 0.1 IP, 0 R, 1 BB
RP Scott Williams: 2 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO
CF Matt Lipka: 1-3, HR, walk
RF Preston Scott: 1-3, double
DH Evan Van Hoosier: 2-3, SB

On August 17, the Wood Ducks were 7.5 games behind Buies Creek in the second-half division race and 50-73 overall. Now, they're co-champions of the Carolina League, sharing the title with the winner of today's deciding game between Frederick and Lynchburg.

Brett Martin, uniquely dominant in Game 1 of last year's finals for High Desert, didn't have it yesterday. The control was lacking, the contact was hard, and he retired only five of 12 batters. Two double plays and an out on the bases prevented serious damage, and Myrtle Beach would rue the lost opportunities.  Emerson Martinez replaced Martin with two out and runners at the corners in the 3rd and got the final out. 

A 1st-inning run put Down East behind, but in the 2nd, Preston Scott hit a one-out double, advanced to third on an Evan Van Hoosier single, and scored on a throwing error when Van Hoosier broke for second. In the 3rd, Matt Lipka homered for the second time in the series.

Martinez was in form, dealing a nice slider, but his leash was short. With two outs and a runner on third in the 5th, acting manager Steve Mintz intentionally walked rehabbing catcher Wilson Contreras and called for lefty Jeffrey Springs to face the lefty Vimael Machin. Pitching for the second day in a row, Springs didn't look his best and walked Machin, but the righty Jesse Hodges lined hard directly to Scott in right field to leave the bases loaded.

Scott Williams dealt the last two innings, retiring six straight after walking his first batter. None other than Contreras strode to the plate with two out in the 7th. Williams induced a popup to second baseman Luis La O, and the Woodies celebrated.

Williams extended his scoreless streak to 30 innings, during which he's allowed 15 baserunners and struck out 30. Springs completed the season with 27.1 scoreless innings of his own, consisting of his last three innings as a starter and the entirely of his relief work.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Nothing. Frisco, having swept Corpus Christi, awaited the winner of Springfield and Tulsa. The Riders would lose the finals to Springfield 3-1. Frisco and Round Rock extended their player development contracts with the Rangers through 2018.

Rangers Farm Report: Games of Thursday 7 September
Box Scores


High-A: at Down East 4, Myrtle Beach (CHC) 1
Down East leads best-of-three semifinal 1-0

SP Jonathan Hernandez: 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 7 SO, 0.00 ERA
RP Jeffrey Springs: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 SO, 0.00 ERA
RP C.D. Pelham: 2 IP, 0 R, 1 SO, 0.00 ERA
CF Matt Lipka: 1-4, HR
SS Josh Morgan: 1-4, double
3B Yanio Perez: 2-4
1B Carlos Garay: 1-2, double, walk

Down East claimed the first game of an abbreviated semifinal. The teams will play one or two seven-inning games in Myrtle Beach on Friday to decide the series.

Despite a lofty pitch count of 93 in 5.1 innings, Jonathan Hernandez held the Pelicans (which included a rehabbing WIlson Contreras) in check. Ace reliever Jeffrey Springs entered in the 6th with one out and two on; he yielded a run-scoring double but no further damage. C.D Pelham made his high-A debut in style by retiring six straight. Wild and unreliable early in the season, Pelham asserted a late-inning role for Hickory and aided a second-half resurgence nearly as impressive as Down East's.

Matt Lipka led off the bottom of the 1st with a homer, after which the Woodies reverted to their usual strategy of timely singles. Down East scored its other three runs in the 5th on four singles and a Carlos Garay double.


Short-A: Spokane 1, at Vancouver (TOR) 2
Spokane loses best-of-three semifinal 0-2

SP Cole Ragans: 4 IP, 5 H (1 HR), 2 R, 4 BB, 6 SO, 0.00 ERA
RP Joe Barlow: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO, 0.00 ERA
RF Pedro Gonzalez: 2-4, SB

From my preview: "On paper, the Vancouver rotation has a sizable advantage. [Nate] Pearson and [Zach] Logue are college-seasoned 2017 picks who dominated the Northwest League, albeit in limited action, and don't have the walk issues of their opponents... Will Oullette (3.00 ERA, 28% SO) and Orlando Pascual (2.18 ERA, 34% SO) are the closers. After them, the bullpen is less assured."

Unfortunately, the four pitchers I mentioned threw 12 of Vancouver's 18 innings and allowed a lone run on seven hits. Spokane pitched well enough to win the series. Vancouver was better. It happens.

Ragans' evening wasn't too far from his typical result this season. In the 1st and the 4th, he gave up a run while striking out two and walking two. All told, a fine season, and if he can tighten his control a little, he's going to make life miserable for Sally League hitters in 2018. Joe Barlow is usually effective but tends to get walk-happy even in the best of times, so his lone walk to 13 batters in a tense situation was especially nice.

Pedro Gonzalez, he of the 0-for-17 regular season, singled twice and led the team by reaching safely five times in the series. Kole Enright drove Gonzalez in with a single in the 5th. For the series, Spokane batted .164/.233/.164 with no extra-base hits and a 40% strikeout rate.

In the finals, the Canadians will face Cubs-affiliated Eugene, which swept Hillsboro.

Today's Starters
High-A: Steven Bruce, and then Brett Martin if Down East loses the first game.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Frisco shut out Corpus on the road to sweep the Texas League semifinals, after which trainer Carlos Olivas reminded me I'd picked Corpus in five. Fair enough. Nick Tepesch one-hit the Hooks for seven innings. Myrtle Beach was stomped 9-0 by a very good Winston-Salem club in the deciding game of the Carolina League semifinals.

Rangers Farm Report: Games of Wednesday 6 September
Box Scores


High-A: wet

An ordinary rainstorm unrelated to Irma doused the Carolinas Wednesday. But anticipation of Irma has prompted the powers that be to shorten the semifinals to a best-of-three. Down East will host Myrtle Beach tonight, and on Friday they'll conclude the series in Myrtle with either one game or a doubleheader.

As of now, the Carolina League finals are still on. The Florida State and Southern Leagues have already cancelled their championship rounds. The winners of the semifinals will be declared co-champions.


Short-A: Spokane 0, at Vancouver (TOR) 2
Spokane trails best-of-three semifinal 0-1

SP Tai Tiedemann: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 1 SO
RP Joe Kuzia: 3 IP, 3 H (1 HR), 2 R, 1 BB, 3 SO
RP Alex Eubanks: 1.2 IP, 0 R, 3 SO
CF Miguel Aparicio: 2-5, double
RF Pedro Gonzalez: 2-3, triple

Spokane got the desired outcome from starter Tai Tiedemann, who traded zeroes with 28nd-overall pick Nate Pearson for four-plus innings. Unfortunately, reliever Joe Kuzia surrendered a two-run homer to Logan Warmoth (picked six spots ahead of Pearson) in the 8th, and the Indians couldn't take advantage of its opportunities. Spokane stranded 11, including five in scoring position.

For three innings, Pearson was nearly untouchable. After Miguel Aparicio led off the 1st by reaching on an error, Pearson fanned the next three on nine pitches. He recorded 10 of 12 outs on strikeouts, and 25 Spokane swings resulted in 13 swinging strikes. Pearson touched 100 on the stadium gun several times. With two out in the 4th, he lost his map, walking Pedro Gonzalez, Kole Enright and Cristian Inoa on 12 pitches. Then, CF Miguel Aparicio swung at and fouled off Pearson's next pitch (which may have been a strike for all I know, but still, ugh), took the next two for balls and grounded out to Pearson himself.

In the 9th, Pedro Gonzalez singled and scored on a two-out Aparicio single. Tyler Ratliff, 0-4 at that point, blooped a single to left to put the tying run at second. Matt Whatley then grounded out to end it. The run was the first allowed by Vancouver in 40 innings dating back to August 30th.

Kuzia took the loss but pitched well for the most part, in particular coming into a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the 5th and getting an inning-ending double play. Gonzalez, hitless in 17 at-bats with Spokane during the regular season, reached three times.

Today's Starters
High-A: Jonathan Hernandez
Short-A: Cole Ragans

Five Years Ago Yesterday
MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo updated his Top 100 prospect list: 1) SS Jurickson Profar, 17) 3B Mike Olt, 50) LHP Martin Perez, 96) RHP Cody Buckel.

In front of a sparse crowd that included me, podpast partner Michael Tepid, and Jon Daniels, Frisco took a 2-0 lead over Corpus on a walk-off homer by Leury Garcia. Daniels pumped his fist. I kind of half-nodded. I should permit myself to be more emotional at games.

After beating the Carolina League's best team 4-1 the day before, Myrtle Beach couldn't hold a 2-1 6th-inning lead against Winston-Salem, falling 5-3. 

PLAYOFF PREVIEW
Carolina League Semifinals (best-of-five)
Down East Wood Ducks (62-77) vs. Cubs-affiliated Myrtle Beach Pelicans (73-67)

Season Run Differential: Down East -73, Myrtle Beach +2
Last 20 Games: Down East 13-7, Myrtle Beach 12-8
Season Series: 16-11 Myrtle Beach

How They Got Here
At the expense of the Astros, that's how. In the first half,  Myrtle Beach was muddling along four games back of Buies Creek at 23-22. The Pelicans then soared to a 20-5 finish while the Astros slumped to 10-15.

Down East staged its own, even more remarkable comeback in the second half, overcoming a 7.5-game deficit in in 18 days over the same Astros, who didn't make the postseason despite the best overall record in the division.

History 
The Pelicans reached the playoffs all four seasons as a Texas affiliate (2011-2014) but couldn't win a title. In two years with the Cubs, Myrtle has won consecutive league championships.

Down East has no history.

Top 30 Prospects On Roster per MLB.com
Down East:
10. LHP Brett Martin
11. 3B/OF Yanio Perez
15. SS/C Josh Morgan
18. RHP Kyle Cody
21. RHP Jonathan Hernandez

Myrtle Beach:
1. RHP Oscar De La Cruz
7. RHP Thomas Hatch
10. RHP Justin Steele (DL)
15. OF Eddy Martinez
18. 2B Carlos Sepulveda (DL)
20. RHP Alec Mills (rehab assignment)
29. RHP Michael Rucker

Offense / Down East Position Players
C Chuck Moorman
1B Carlos Garay
2B Luis La O
SS Josh Morgan
3B Yanio Perez
LF Josh Altmann
CF Matt Lipka
RF Ledarious Clark
DH Preston Scott
also Evan Van Hoosier

Down East's offense scored 5% fewer runs than the park-adjusted league average, but I'd say the current roster is average. Aside from Michael O'Neill and Eduard Pinto, nearly all of Down East's best hitters over the course of the season are presently with the club. The Woodies aren't an imitation of the parent club. They ranked last in walks (by a huge margin), last in strikeouts (as in, the fewest of them), and ninth of ten teams in extra bases on hits.  Carlos Garay leads the current roster with a .363 OBP, while most of the others are bunched in the .310-.340 range. Matt Lipka is the only regular slugging over .400. He, Ledarious Clark, and Josh Altmann are the mild power threats. For the most part, this group puts the ball in play and relies on singles, doubles, and a decent running game to get by.

Myrtle Beach outscored the league average by 3%, but I wouldn't say their offense is any better than Down East at this point. Gone are three of their best four hitters: top prospect Eloy Jimenez (traded for Jose Quintana), Bryant Flete (same), and Daniel Spingola (promoted). The Pelicans have three regulars (SS Trent Giambrone, catcher P.J. Higgins, OF Robert Garcia) with worse numbers than anyone on Down East. Like the Woodies, they're singles-oriented. Their primary advantage is being merely garden-variety bad at drawing walks instead of scary bad like Down East.

Pitching / Possible Rotations
1: Jonathan Hernandez (3.44 ERA, .285/.351/.415, 23% SO) vs.
Michael Rucker (2.51 ERA, .223/.278/.331, 25% SO)
2: Steven Bruce (5.00 ERA, .263/.305/.359, 20% SO) vs.
Duncan Robinson (2.37 ERA, .242/.303/.315, 23% SO)
3: Brett Martin (4.70 ERA, .287/.353/.433, 18% SO) vs.
Alec Mills (2.57 ERA, .222/.264/.283, 19% SO)
4: Emerson Martinez* (4.19 ERA, .270/.313/.404, 19% SO) vs.
Tom Hatch (4.04 ERA, .264/.341/.354, 23% SO)
5: Kyle Cody* (2.05 ERA, .225/.310/.279, 27% SO) vs.
Oscar De La Cruz* (3.34 ERA, .256/.319/.419, 20% SO)

* Not announced. My assumptions based on recent usage.

Down East allowed 7% more runs than the park-adjusted league average, but you can ignore that, because pitching put the Woodies in the postseason. The staff improved by an astounding 1.4 runs per games from the first half to the second, and in August/September, it posted a 2.51 ERA with 3.3 times as many strikeouts as walks. Behind a respectable rotation is the formidable relief trio of lefty Adam Choplick, lefty Jeffrey Springs and righty Scott Williams. In August/September, they've combined to allow one run and struck out 60 in 43 innings. (And a late update: Hickory relief ace C.D. Pelham is joining Down East for the playoffs, so let's expand to "formidable relief quartet.")

Myrtle Beach beat the league average in runs allowed by 3%. Top prospect Oscar De La Cruz may not appear until Game 5, if at all, but the men lined up in front of him have performed just as well or better. The entire rotation is right-handed, and Down East's lineup lacks even a single lefty. Also, Game 3 starter Alec Mills has brief Major League experience and is in high-A on rehab.* Pedro Araujo (1.76 ERA, 33% SO) and Scott Effross (3.40 ERA, 21% SO) have handled the high-leverage relief assignments lately, and Dakota Mekkes is another solid pen arm.

* Yes, that's permitted. Mike Napoli batted for Frisco in the postseason not long ago.

Defense
Down East was a little less error-prone and less mistake-prone in general. Teams didn't run against the Woodies as much. Neither team was particularly adept at turning the double play or throwing out runners.

Advantages
Offense – Even
Pitching – Myrtle Beach (slight)
Defense – Down East (slight)

Prediction 
I am well and truly stumped. Despite a large deficit in wins and run differential, Down East appears to be evenly matched with the Pelicans. If the Woodies stay close through the 6th and get their best relievers in while the outcomes are in doubt, they can take the series. My head, ever cold and pitiless, says Myrtle in five. My heart sings for Down East.



PLAYOFF PREVIEW
Northwest League Semifinals (best-of-three)
Spokane Indians (39-37) vs. Toronto-affiliated Vancouver Canadians (43-33)

Season Run Differential: Spokane -16, Vancouver -1
Last 20 Games: Spokane 14-6, Vancouver 12-8
Season Series: 9-3 Vancouver

How They Got Here
Vancouver roared out to a 16-7 start before barely holding off Tri-City for the first-half title. Spokane spent the entire second half biting its nails, never more than two games ahead or behind the entire way. A come-from-behind win against Everett on the final day secured the second-half crown.

History 
Spokane has won three titles in 14 seasons as a Texas affiliate, most recently in 2008.  The Indians lost to Everett in the finals in 2010 and were defeated in the semifinals by Vancouver in 2014. The Canadians lost in the finals that year after winning the three previous seasons.

Top 30 Prospects on Active Roster per MLB.com
Spokane:
6. LHP Cole Ragans
8. SS Chris Seise (injured)
17. RHP Alex Speas
20. OF Pedro Gonzalez
26. OF Miguel Aparicio
27. C Matt Whatley

Vancouver:
4. SS Logan Warmoth
8. RHP Nate Pearson
17. C Riley Adams

Vancouver's prospects were the 22nd, 28th and 99th players taken in this year's draft.

Offense / Spokane Position Players
C Matt Whatley
1B Curtis Terry
2B Kole Enright
SS Cristian Inoa
3B Tyler Ratliff
LF Austin O'Banion
CF Miguel Aparicio
RF Nick Kaye
DH Melvin Novoa

Spokane fell 7% short of the park-adjusted league average in runs scored. The Indians led the league in doubles and ranked second in homers, but they don't hit for average, despise walks, and aren't a threat on the bases. Whatley is the best all-around hitter (.289/.371/.450) and only OBP machine. OF Chad Smith, second on the team in OBP and the only serious base-stealing threat, is out after shoulder surgery. SS Chris Seise has also missed several games with a shoulder problem, but my understanding is his situation isn't nearly as serious.

Vancouver's offense is similarly below average but different in the details. Nearly all of their regulars reached more often than Spokane's, save for Matt Whatley, but they don't hit for power. Kacy Clemens and the departed David Jacob tied for the team lead with four homers. As a team they had 68 more walks than Spokane but 122 fewer extra bases on hits. 

Pitching / Possible Rotation
1: Tai Teidemann (3.83 ERA, .286/.372/.365, 19% SO) vs.
Nate Pearson (0.95 ERA, .097/.164/.129, 36% SO)
2: Cole Ragans (3.61 ERA, .234/.344/.360, 35% SO) vs.
Zach Logue (1.75 ERA, .209/.258/.231, 29% SO)
3: Tyler Phillips (4.21 ERA, .269/.311/.368, 22% SO) vs.
TBD

Spokane's run allowance was 3% above average. Both Tiedemann and Ragans have pitched well on the whole but are mercurial and prone to fits of wildness. The Indians need at least one of them to pitch well to have a chance at progressing to the finals. Phillips has been steady of late and is a solid choice for the deciding game should it occur.
Short-season bullpens are squirrelly by nature, but Spokane's is respectable on the whole. Noah Bremer and Alex Eubanks, summer draftees from major colleges, have been nearly untouchable. 2016 2nd-rounder Alex Speas has the stuff to strike out the side if he doesn't walk it first, and Joe Barlow has a similar high-K, high-BB profile. Conversely, Joe Kuzia doesn't walk anybody (3 in 30 innings).

On paper, the Vancouver rotation has a sizable advantage. Pearson and Logue are college-seasoned 2017 picks who dominated the Northwest League, albeit in limited action, and don't have the walk issues of their opponents. Vancouver hasn't announced a Game 3 starter, and its rotation was too chaotic down the stretch for me to hazard a guess. Will Oullette (3.00 ERA, 28% SO) and Orlando Pascual (2.18 ERA, 34% SO) are the closers. After them, the bullpen is less assured.

Defense
The stats favor Vancouver. Fewer errors and other miscues, tougher to run against, better at turning ground balls in to outs.

Advantages
Offense – Even
Pitching – Vancouver
Defense – Vancouver

Prediction 
Nature has made Spokane's path more daunting. Wildfires have befouled the Washington air, pushing Spokane's only possible home game to Vancouver. Canadians in three.

Most Recent Texas-Affiliated Championship Teams
AAA: 1996 Oklahoma City 89ers
AA: 2004 Frisco RoughRiders
Hi-A: 2016 High Desert Mavericks
Lo-A: 2015 Hickory Crawdads
Short-A: 2008 Spokane Indians
Rookie: 2012 Rangers
DSL: 2014 Rangers

Rangers Farm Report: Games of Sunday 3 September
Box Scores


AAA: at Round Rock 10, OKC (LAD) 9
Record: 65-72, eliminated

SP Clayton Blackburn: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 SO, 4.97 ERA
RF Jose Cardona: 2-4, walk, SB (1)
LF Willie Calhoun: 3-5, 2 HR (31), 8 RBI
3B Brett Hayes: 1-4, HR (4)
C Kevin Torres: 2-3, walk

Down 9-6 in the 9th, Willie Calhoun mashed a high fastball over the wall left of center for a walk-off grand slam. Combined with a two-run laser beam to right in the 5th and two-run single in the 7th, Calhoun drove in eight runs. He's batting .300/.336/.564 with eight homers in 28 games for the Express.

Converted outfielder Xavier Paul made his first appearance in Round Rock... as an outfielder, going hitless in one at-bat as a mid-game replacement. Signed as a relief pitcher, the 32-year-old Paul tossed 8.2 scoreless innings for the rookies and hadn't swung a bat for an affiliated team since 2014.


AA: at Frisco 1, Midland (OAK) 4
Record: 60-79, eliminated

SP Tyler Davis: 8 IP, 6 H (1 HR), 1 R, 0 BB, 4 SO, 2.32 ERA
CF Michael O'Neill: 2-4, 2 doubles

So, Tyler Davis. At the end of June, his career ERA was 6.24, he was struggling badly in high and low-A, and he was a 24-year-old with an 88 MPH fastball. To be honest, I'd would have bet on him being released before getting a promotion to AA, but here he is, pitching his rear off and making more advanced hitters look stupid. In his last three starts, Davis has allowed one run in 23.2 innings, walked none and struck out 14. His fastball command has been flawless, and he has a knack for dealing offspeed when hitters are sitting dead red.

In the 9th, Midland scored three off Joe Filomeno, who missed the first month to injury and couldn't match 2016's often dominant form except in limited doses.


High-A: Down East 7, at Buies Creek (HOU) 3
Record: 37-32, 0.5 GB

SP Kyle Cody: 6 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 SO, 2.05 ERA
RP Jacob Shortslef: 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 SO, 4.88 ERA
RP Scott Williams: 1 IP, 0 R, 1 SO, 0.64 ERA
CF Matt Lipka: 1-5, HR (9)
SS Josh Morgan: 4-5, double
3B Yanio Perez: 1-5, HR (5)
RF Preston Scott: 2-4, double

Kyle Cody pitched much like Brett Martin the day before, yielding an ample number of hits but not in bunches. Cody equaled his Hickory performance during a late-season promotion to Down East. All told, he posted a 2.64 ERA with a .219/.293/.299 opposing line. He walked a reasonable 8% of opposing batters and whiffed 26%. During a season when many pitching prospects were hurt or didn't make as much progress as you'd hope, Cody improved his standing as much as anybody in the system.

Unfortunately, the same does not apply to Tyler Ferguson, who has numerous zero-run, multi-strikeout appearances to his credit but can't be counted on in any situation when he's off his game. Handed a six-run lead in the 9th, Ferguson allowed a homer, two walks and a single. With the tying run suddenly on deck, manager Howard Johnson had to employ one of the three relievers he'd probably hoped to save for an "all hands on deck" Monday. Scott Williams retired the side and extended his scoreless streak to 28 innings. Williams has never worked on consecutive days professionally but threw only 12 pitches, so he might still be available.

I don't have detailed records at the ready, but I'd guess that Down East getting 14 hits in back-to-back games is a rare occurrence, if not unique. Carlos Garay and Evan Van Hoosier also contributed two hits in addition to those listed above.

One more Woodies win will complete an amazing comeback and clinch the second-half division title. Down East trailed by 7.5 games on August 17th.


Low-A: at Hickory 1, Greensboro (MIA) 3
Record: 64-75, eliminated

SP Reid Anderson: 1.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 0 SO, 5.30 ERA
RP Kaleb Fontenot: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 SO, 3.06 ERA
RP Jacob Lemoine: 2 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO, 2.96 ERA
RP C.D. Pelham: 1 IP, 0 R, 1 SO, 3.18 ERA
C Yohel Pozo: 2-5
SS Brendon Davis: 3-4
1B Andretty Cordero: 1-2, 2 walks

Eight of 11 batters reached safely against Reid Anderson. Kaleb Fontenot, who had a tough August, turned in perhaps his best outing of the season to keep the Crawdads in the game. The righty held opponents to a .214/.281/.357 line ans struck out 28% of his opponents. He's 24, although Texas drafted him just last summer in the 221st round from McNeese State. Jacob Lemoine also finished with a strong performance. Lemoine was drafted his 2015's 4th round but didn't pitch until this year because of shoulder issues. Remove C.D. Pelham's first four appearances and he's got a 1.95 ERA and opposing line of .185/.260/.295 and a 27% strikeout rate.

Hickory stranded 11, including six in scoring position. The Crawdads had the tying run at 2nd with one out in the 9th, but Yohel Pozo and Leody Taveras struck out. Taveras has one hit in his last six games.

Hickory led the division by three games after August 17 but has gone 5-11 since, including a 1-5 record against rival Greensboro. Nevertheless, the Crawdads were much improved over the first half. Greensboro or West Virginia will advance to face Kannapolis in the league semifinals.


Short-A: at Spokane 3, Everett (SEA) 2 (10)
Record: 23-15, +1 G
Second-Half Division Champion
Overall Record: 39-37

SP Tyree Thompson: 5 IP, 7 H (2 HR), 2 R, 0 BB, 5 SO, 3.15 ERA
RP Joe Barlow: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 SO, 2.00 ERA
RP Noah Bremer: 2 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO, 1.35 ERA
CF Miguel Aparicio: 3-5
3B Tyler Ratliff: 2-5, double
C Matt Whatley: 2-5, SB
PH Melvin Novoa: 1-1, double

Spokane was down 2-1 in the 9th, two out, none one. Rival Tri-City was losing to Vancouver with no incentive to fight back.* One more out, and the season would be over. Against that backdrop, Kole Enright drew a four-pitch walk, and pinch-hitter Melvin Novoa slammed a game-tying double to left, sending the game to extras. In the 10th, singles by Miguel Aparicio and Tyler Ratliff put two on, and Austin O'Banion's liner to right brought Aparicio home.

Tyree Thompson allowed two solo homers but nothing afterwards. He matched a season-high five strikeouts. Sometimes walk-prone Joe Barlow issued just one free pass while holding the Aquasox at bay, and Noah Bremer was his usual effective self while pitching on under five days rest for the first time all season.

In a best-of-three semifinal, Spokane will host Vancouver on Tuesday, followed by one or two games on the road.

* Because of a weird confluence of tiebreakers, Tri-City needed to lose in order to reach the postseason. Had they won, they and Vancouver would have finished behind Spokane. But a loss, combined with a Spokane loss, would have made Vancouver second-half champion. And, since Vancouver won the first half, the other postseason team would be the one with the second-best overall record, which would be... Tri-City. Got it?


Rookie: Rangers 4, at Mariners 3
Rangers win Arizona League quarterfinal

SP Jean Casanova: 3 IP, 5 H (1 HR), 3 R, 2 BB, 3 SO, 0.00 ERA
RP Seth Nordlin: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 6 SO, 0.00 ERA
RP Greidy Martinez: 2 IP, 0 R, 4 SO, 0.00 ERA
C Francisco Ventura: 2-4, HR
2B Myles McKisic: 1-2, walk, SB

The baby Rangers mounted a comeback at the same time as Spokane. Down 3-0 in the 8th, the Rangers scored three on four singles and three Mariners errors. Francisco Ventura, who began that 8th inning with a single, hit a solo homer in the 9th to provide the winning margin. Jean Casanova was a little off, relatively speaking, while Seth Nordlin offered yet another strong outing.

The Rangers will face the Giants in the league semifinal.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Cody Buckel completed his 2012 regular season with three consecutive walk-free starts. Combined with a forthcoming postseason start, Buckel would conclude 2012 without a walk to his last 80 batters.

Today's Starters:
AAA: Adrian Sampson
AA: Collin Wiles
High-A: Wes Benjamin
Low-A: Mike Matuella
Short-A: off
Rookie: TBA

Rangers Farm Report: Games of Saturday 2 September
Box Scores


AAA: at Round Rock 5, OKC (LAD) 3
Record: 64-72, eliminated

SP Tyler Wagner: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 0 SO, 6.25 ERA
RP Jimmy Reyes: 2 IP, 0 R, 2 SO, 4.11 ERA
SS Jurickson Profar: 2-4
2B Willie Calhoun: 2-3
LF Ryan Rua: 2-4, HR (8)
DH Preston Beck: 2-3

Another late two-inning homer from Ryan Rua provided the margin.

2017 hasn't been sweetness and light for Jurickson Profar, but he's hitting .283/.403/.453 in his last 30 games. Profar has the most MLB plate appearances among Texas hitters on the 40 not immediately called up in September, followed by Rua, Phil Gosslelin, Jared Hoying, and Ronald Guzman.

Clayton Blackburn is Round Rock's only 40-man pitcher, in case you're wondering about reinforcements. In AA are Yohander Mendez, Nick Gardewine and Connor Sadzeck.


AA: at Frisco 2, Midland (OAK) 1 (11)
Record: 60-78, eliminated

SP Ariel Jurado: 6 IP, 9 H (1 HR), 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SO, 4.59 ERA
RP Ryne Slack: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2.52 ERA
RP Reed Garrett: 2 IP, 0 R, 2 SO, 4.98 ERA
CF Scott Heineman: 2-4, 2 doubles, walk
SS Michael De Leon: 2-4, double

1B Eric Aguilera singled home Scott Heineman in the 11th. Heineman also doubled and scored Frisco's other run in the 1st.

Frisco didn't allow a runner past 1st after the 6th, and in that inning, a relay from RF Luke Tendler to Aguilera to catcher Jose Trevino nabbed the would-be go-ahead runner at the plate. Midland is still fighting Corpus for the right to play San Antonio in the postseason.

Ariel Jurado concluded 2017 with an effective if unusual game, in which 14 of 24 balls hit against him were airborne. Jurado was as walk-averse as ever, but in the second half his strikeout rate dwindled to 12%, very low in this era. For the season, opponents batted .302/.350/.450 against him. Just 21 years old, Jurado will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft if not protected on the 40 this fall.


High-A: Down East 0, at Buies Creek (HOU) 1 (7)
High-A: Down East 5, at Buies Creek (HOU) 2 (7)
Record: 36-32, 1.5 GB

SP Emerson Martinez: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 5 SO, 4.19 ERA
SP Brett Martin: 5 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 SO, 4.70 ERA
RP Cole Wiper: 2 IP, 3 H (1 HR), 1 R, 4 SO, 1.80 ERA
SS Josh Morgan: 3-7, double
3B Yanio Perez: 3-7
DH Evan Van Hoosier: 2-4, HR (2), SB (5)

Buies Creek scored the first game's only run on a bases-loaded HBP by Emerson Martinez, who was otherwise solid and an impetus for Down East's second-half resurgence. In that time, Martinez posted a 3.57 ERA with an opposing line of .253/.304/.343. Astros starter Jorge Alcala dealt a seven-inning shutout with only two baserunners allowed, both singles.

Down East rebounded in Game 2. Morgan, Perez, Van Hoosier, Luis La O, Carlos Garay, and Preston Scott had two hits apiece. Morgan hasn't caught in over a week, assuming full-time shortstop duties for the home stretch. Likewise, with Ti'Quan Forbes gone, Yanio Perez has played five straight at third base. Brett Martin faced runners in scoring position in four of five innings but let only one cross the plate. A back injury limited Martin to 84.1 innings, still the second-most he's thrown in four years. The Rangers have a tricky 40-man decision on him this fall. He seemed a lock entering the season, and he remains a good prospect. That said, he doesn't appear ready for the big stage, and his development has been fitful. He'd be tough to keep if taken in the Rule 5 draft.

Down East must win both remaining games to win the division.


Low-A: at Hickory 4, Greensboro (MIA) 0
Low-A: at Hickory 0, Greensboro (MIA) 2 (7)
Record: 37-31, 1 GB

SP Walker Weickel: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO, 3.01 ERA
RP Christian Torres: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 9 SO, 2.50 ERA
SP Reiver Sanmartin: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 SO, 2.62 ERA
DH Alex Kowalczyk: 2-6, double, walk, SB (2)
C Yohel Pozo: 3-4
C Ricardo Valencia: 1-2, double, walk

Hickory maintained its lead in the completion of Friday's rain-suspended game but couldn't capitalize on two opportunities in the second game. Christian Torres relieved Walker Weickel in the earlier contest and dominated the Grasshoppers for six innings. The lefty Torres, who turns 24 in a few days, posted a 2.31 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 70 innings after a brief stint in Round Rock. Weickel's control (15 walks in 74.2 innings) was especially impressive this season; control was never his forte as a Padre.

In Game 2, control specialist Reiver Sanmartin pitched to form. He issued six walks in 34.1 innings in Hickory. In the 2nd inning, the Dads put two runners in scoring position with none out but came away empty. In the 9th, Ricardo Valencia led off with a walk and advanced to second on a Andretty Cordero single, after which a bunt pop-out and double play ended the rally in short order.

To have any chance of winning the division, Hickory must win both remaining games and hope that West Virginia loses at least one.


Short-A: at Spokane 3, Everett (SEA) 2
Record: 22-15, +1 G

SP Tyler Phillips: 7 IP, 6 H (2 HR), 2 R, 0 BB, 12 SO, 3.45 ERA
RP Alex Speas: 2 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 SO, 6.15 ERA
C Matt Whatley: 2-4, 2 doubles

In a critical game, Tyler Phillips blew past his previous high of eight strikeouts. Alex Speas walked the leadoff batter in the 8th but recovered to retire six straight, four via strikeout. The 19-year-old Phillips didn't have much success in an early Hickory assignment, perhaps in part due to the early organizational emphasis on fastball command. Back in Spokane, Phillips held opponents to a .265/.293/.361 line and struck out seven batters for every walk. Speas had his moments. Opponents batted only .223 against him with a 28% strikeout rate. But much of the contact was hard, and his combined walk/HBP rate was a lofty 17%. After his first full season, Speas remains a project, but a project who can throw 99 MPH. Texas will be patient with both.

Everett's Chris Torres homered on the game's first pitch. In the 3rd, doubles by Cristian Inoa and Matt Whatley with a Miguel Aparicio between them regained the lead for Spokane. The Indians added one on a wild pitch in the 4th and held on for dear life thereafter.

The regular season ends today. A Spokane win or Vancouver loss puts the good guys in the playoffs.


Rookie: Rangers 8, at Indians 3
Record: 17-11, +1.5 G
Second-Half Division Champion
30-25 overall

SP Ryan Dease: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, 2.05 ERA
RP Kyle Keith: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 SO, 8.74 ERA
RP Nick Snyder: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 SO, 1.29 ERA
3B Justin Jacobs: 1-1, walk, SB (8)
LF Tyreque Reed: 1-2, double
CF Bubba Thompson: 1-1
C Francisco Ventura: 2-4, double

The Rangers became second-half champions near the beginning of their game when the rival Padres concluded their season with a 2-0 loss. Five starters were pulled in the 3rd including Bubba Thompson, who finished the regular season with a .257/.314/.434 line, three homers, nine other extra-base hits and five stolen bases in 30 games. Tyreque Reed hit as hoped: .350/.455/.617 with five homers in 35 games.

4th-round righty Ryan Dease didn't dominate like Hans Crouse but wasn't a friendly sight to opposing hitters, finishing with a 2.05 ERA, two walks and 19 strikeouts in 22 innings.

The Arizona League playoffs consist of six teams (two with byes) in a winner-take-all format. Tonight, the Rangers face the Mariners (31-24 overall) in Peoria, and if victorious, they'll visit the Giants (34-22).

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Round Rock OF Joey Butler (.292/.394/.476) went 2-3 with a double and two walks. I mentioned he'd have been better off in the Texas system roughly ten years earlier, when the Rangers were "employing the likes of Ricky Ledee, Shane Spencer, Ryan Christensen, Ruben Rivera, Chad Allen, Jason Conti, etc."

Today's Starters:
AAA: Clayton Blackburn
AA: Tyler Davis
High-A: Kyle Cody
Low-A: Reid Anderson
Short-A: Tyree Thompson
Rookie: Jean Casanova

Rangers Farm Report: Games of Friday 1 September
Box Scores


AAA: at Round Rock 5, OKC (LAD) 6
Record: 63-72, eliminated

SP James Dykstra: 5.1 IP, 7 H (1 HR), 4 R, 3 BB, 4 SO, 7.33 ERA
RP Cody Palmquist: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 SO, 0.00 ERA
SS Jurickson Profar: 2-5
DH Willie Calhoun: 2-5, double
1B Ronald Guzman: 1-3, walk

Cody Palmquist made a successful AAA debut. Also joining the Express are OF Jose Cardona (0-4, BB), RHP Xavier Paul and C Shaq Matta. Cardona batted .277/.316/.385 with seven homers and 14 steals at Frisco. Paul is the former MLB outfielder resurrecting his career on the mound.

Willie Calhoun is batting .275/.315/.500 with the Express. He doesn't have to be added to the 40-man roster this winter.

The Express are guaranteed to finish 2017 with the worst record by a Texas-affiliated AAA club since 1997.


AA: at Frisco 3, Corpus Christi (HOU) 9
Record: 59-78, eliminated

SP Richelson Pena: 6 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 6 SO, 3.24 ERA
RP Nick Gardewine: 1 IP, 0 R, 2 SO, 2.21 ERA
C Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1-3, 2 walks
RF Luke Tendler: 1-3, double, walk

Luke Tendler put the Riders ahead 3-0 in the 1st with a bases-clearing double, but the Hooks answered with four in the 3rd and would never trail again.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa didn't double yesterday but could use one or two over the last three games. He's tied with Tulsa's Matt Beatty for the league lead with 31. All this from a guy who had 33 in his previous four seasons.


High-A: wet

Two today. Down East needs to win three of four from Buies Creek to take the division.

Down East's Grainger Stadium was named the Carolina League field of the year.


Low-A: suspended

Rain tried to postpone the contest altogether and settled for suspending it in the 3rd with Hickory ahead 2-0. They'll complete this one in full, followed by a seven-inning nightcap. West Virginia won its game against Delmarva to gain a half-game advantage over Hickory and Greensboro. 

IF Anderson Tejeda was DL'ed and replaced on the roster by IF Ryan Dorow, Texas's 30th-round pick in this year's draft. The 22-year-old batted .296/.382/.384 with the rookies.


Short-A: at Spokane 4,Everett (SEA) 5 (12)
Record: 21-15, +1 G

SP Demarcus Evans: 8 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 6 SO, 2.59 ERA
LF Austin O'Banion: 2-6, double
2B Kole Enright: 2-4, double, walk

Spokane twice rallied from deficits but couldn't manage a third. Down 4-2 in the 9th, Kole Enright doubled in Pedro Gonzalez, and Miguel Aparicio singled Enright home with two out. Gonzalez is 0-for-17 with two walks since joining the Rangers.

Demarcus Evans saved his best for last, hurling a career-high eight innings on just 87 pitches. Both runs came on two hits after a two-out error. Split between Spokane and Hickory, Evans posted a 4.53 ERA with an opposing line of .195/.333/.281, a scary-bad combined walk/HBP rate of 17%, and a terrific strikeout rate of 28%.

Spokane's result based on number of wins in remaining two games:

0: eliminated
1: division champion if Tri-City and Vancouver split their final two games
2: division champion, period


Rookie: at Rangers 2, Indians 6
Record: 16-11, +0.5 G

SP Dylan Bice: 4 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 7 SO, 4.58 ERA
RP Xavier Moore: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 SO, 3.60 ERA
RP Wes Robertson: 1 IP, 0 R, 2 SO, 4.50 ERA
2B Justin Jacobs: 1-2, 2 walks, SB (7)
1B Tyreque Reed: 1-3, walk

Cleveland's rookie squad is 2-1 against the Rangers and 13-39 versus everyone else. The Rangers drew seven walks but managed only three hits (all singles) and struck out 14 times. Rehabbing Tim Cooney walked Justin Jacobs, Tyreque Reed and Bubba Thompson to begin the game, but only one would score. Obie Ricumstrict, a shortstop in high school, threw out two runners from center field. The Rangers need a victory or a loss by the "Padres 2" squad to win the second-half division title.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Good days from three RoughRiders who would reach MLB in 2013. CF Engel Beltre (.262/.308/.422) doubled, singled and walked. 2B Leury Garcia was 3-5 with his 31st stolen base and 1B Chris McGuiness walked twice and singled.

Today's Starters:
AAA: Tyler Wagner
AA: Ariel Jurado
High-A: Emerson Martinez / Brett Martin
Low-A: Reiver Sanmartin (2nd game)
Short-A: Tyler Phillips
Rookie: TBA

--

Afternoon transactions:
LHP Jake Diekman activated from 60-day DL
RHP Paolo Espino recalled from Round Rock
Contract of 3B Will Middlebrooks purchased
Contract of C A.J. Jimenez purchased
LHP Joely Rodriguez designated for assignment
RHP Jhan Marinez designated for assignment

The Rangers still need to create one more space on the 40-man roster.

Texas doesn't need to DL Adrian Beltre since rosters have expanded.

Rangers Farm Report: Games of Thursday 31 August
Box Scores


AAA: at Round Rock 0, Col. Springs (MIL) 4
Record: 63-71, eliminated

SP David Ledbetter: 6 IP, 5 H (1 HR), 3 R, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 3 SO, 4.31 ERA

3B Will Middlebrooks was conspicuously absent from the lineup. August hasn't been kind (.244/.284/.378), but on the whole he's had a great season, knocking his most homers (23) in four years and batting .258/.327/.529. As he's essentially limited to third base, I've written on a few occasions that he was a poor fit for the Rangers regardless of his production. That's no longer the case. In the Majors, he hasn't hit well at all since his 2013 rookie campaign.

2013 3rd-rounder David Ledbetter acquitted himself in AAA after spending all of 2015-2016 in High Desert. The offense was limited to five singles. Temple native and Texas-Ex Taylor Jungmann pitched well for the opposition.

Former Ranger Wilmer Font is expected to be called up by the Dodgers. Font pitched briefly for the Rangers in 2012 and 2013, after which a loss in velocity, general degradation in stuff, and injury pushed him all the way down to the indy Can-Am league. He worked his way back to affiliated ball, culminating in a staggering 178 strikeouts in 134.1 innings for Oklahoma City.  I saw him against Round Rock earlier this season, and to be honest, I wasn't that impressed, but I'm rooting for him.


AA: at Frisco 0, Corpus Christi (HOU) 4
Record: 59-77, eliminated

SP Pedro Payano: 5 IP, 4 H (1 HR), 3 R, 4 BB, 3 HBP, 6 SO, 3.63 ERA
RP Shane McCain: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 SO, 5.36 ERA
LF Scott Heineman: 2-4, .284/.364/.426

Like Yohander Mendez the night before, Pedro Payano's most notorious statistic appeared in abundance in his final start. Payano hit three batters, raising his total to 25, more than any other pitcher in MLB or the minors. Payano is also 17th in all of minor league ball with 64 walks. Still, he was tough to hit when he threw strikes, and he spent most of 2017 two levels above last year.  All told, a pretty good year.


High-A: Down East 1, at Wilmington (KAN) 0 (12)
Record: 35-31, 1.5 GB

SP Steven Bruce: 8.1 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 SO, 5.00 ERA
RP Scott Williams: 3.1 IP, 0 R, 1 SO, 0.66 ERA
DH Carlos Garay: 2-4, .320/.365/.368
1B Ti'Quan Forbes: 2-4, .227/.280/.308
RF Ledarious Clark: 2-4, triple, walk
C Chuck Moorman: 2-5, .258/.310/.365

I'll be honest. For much of 2017, covering Down East has been a challenge. Why?

Bad record. As in, "worst high-A squad in Rangers history" bad;
Most common score: a 4-2 loss (6 times);
Second most common score: a 4-1 loss (5 times);
No fun statistical quirks ("They're bad but at least they steal a million bases.");
Two best prospects (Joe Palumbo, Brett Martin) hurt;
Other prospects just doing okay.

Lately, the Woodies are a blast. Down by as many as nine games in the second half, they could win the division. Unlike Hickory and Spokane, Down East's path to the postseason path is clear: win three of four against Buies Creek. Just two weeks ago, the Astros led the division by 7.5 games but have gone 3-9 while the Woodies went 9-3. They also had a 4.5-game lead in the first half before succumbing to a white-hot Myrtle Beach squad.

Chuck Moorman led off the 12th with a single, advanced to second on a sac bunt and scored on a Josh Morgan single. Undrafted Steven Bruce, who'd never gone more than 4.1 innings without allowing a run, last a career-best 8.1. Scott Williams extended his scoreless streak to 27 innings.

Ti'Quan Forbes was pulled in the 11th, traded for RHP Miguel Gonzalez. His last plate appearance as a Ranger resulted in a single. I expect the 2014 2nd-rounder will join one of Chicago's A-level affiliates. Forbes had begun to realize some of his power potential (11 homers) but was still having trouble reaching base. He spent about 80% of his games at third base in 2017 with the rest split between first and short. While he could still figure it out, he wasn't among Texas's top 30 prospects.


Low-A: Hickory 5, at Charleston (NYY) 10
Record: 36-30, tied for 1st

SP Edgar Arredondo: 6.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 7 SO, 3.86 ERA
LF Eric Jenkins: 2-5, SB (10), .207/.263/.289
DH Alex Kowalczyk: 3-5, .313/.382/.463
1B Andretty Cordero: 1-4, double, walk, .279/.312/.400

The Crawdads have lost nine of 13 since taking an important series against Hagerstown two weeks ago. Last night, the Dads squandered an early 3-0 lead, took it back on an Andretty Cordero RBI double, and then fell apart. So good in the second half, Jake Lemoine retired only three of eight batters (one of those a sac bunt).  Replacing Edgar Arredondo in the 6th, he surrendered a two-out triple that plated two inherited runners.  In the 7th, he started the inning walk-walk-homer-single. Grant Zawadzki walked three more in the 7th, and a Charles Leblanc error added two more runs.

Arredondo was terrific in the second half: 3.08 ERA, 62 strikeouts versus just six walks in 61.1 innings.

Hickory, Greensboro and West Virginia are nominally tied for the division lead, but Greensboro actually has sole possession by percentage points. Hickory hosts Greensboro for the final four games, while West Virginia visits Delmarva. Hickory cannot finish the season tied with Greensboro but could with West Virginia. Here's Hickory's postseason scenarios based on number of wins this weekend:

0-2: eliminated
3: division champion if West Virginia wins 2 or fewer against Delmarva, one game playoff if WV wins 3 of 4, eliminated if WV sweeps
4: division champion if WV wins 3 or fewer, one game playoff if WV sweeps


Short-A: off

Spokane's postseason possibilities based on number of wins this weekend in a three-game series against Everett:

Win 0: eliminated
Win 1: champion if Tri-City wins exactly one of three against Vancouver
Win 2: champion unless Tri-City sweeps Vancouver
Win 3: champion no matter what

Listed starters are Demarcus Evans, Tyler Phillips and Tyree Thompson.


Rookie: at Rangers 7, Padres2 8
Record: 16-10, +1.5 G

SP Werner Leal: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 4 SO, 5.01 ERA
1B Tyreque Reed: 2-5, double, .348/.453/.617
RF Darious Day: 3-5, 2 doubles, .412/.655/.588
2B Ryan Dorow: 2-2, walk, SB (7), .296/.382/.384

The rookies missed a chance to knock out the Padres. The Rangers lead them and the M's by 1.5 with two to play. They conclude the regular season with two against the wretched Tribe (14-40).

Tyreque Reed has a hit in all four games back after missing three weeks with a shoulder injury.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
The baby Rangers won the Arizona League title 3-1 over the Athletics. Aliangel Frank Lopez whiffed nine over a scoreless five innings, after which Alexnader Claudio handled the last four. The Rangers sported an outfield of Nick Williams (2-4), Lewi Brinson (1-4, walk) and Nomar Mazara (0-4), plus Ronald Guzman (1-4, double) at first.

Spokane's Joey Gallo drew a walk in his final game. He hit 22 homers between there and Surprise. Spokane finished 28-48, and that record undersold how bad they looked much of the time.

Drew Robinson hit his 13th homer for Hickory, but Andrew Faulkner surrendered five runs in five innings, and the Crawdads were eliminated from postseason contention.

Today's Starters:
AAA: James Dykstra
AA: Richelson Pena
High-A: Emerson Martinez
Low-A: Walker Weickel
Short-A: Evans / Speas (tandem)
Rookie: TBA

Rangers Farm Report: Games of Wednesday 30 August
Box Scores


AAA: at Round Rock 2, Col. Springs (MIL) 1
Record: 63-70, eliminated

SP Adrian Sampson: 5 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 SO, 0.00 ERA
RP Dario Alvarez: 3 IP, 3 H (1 HR), 1 R, 1 HBP, 7 SO, 2.33 ERA
RF Ryan Rua: 1-3, HR (7), .258/.298/.453

Adrian Sampson made his first AAA appearance after working his way through rookie league and high-A. Texas claimed and then outrighted the 25-year-old righty from Seattle last fall. He missed most of the season after non-TJ elbow surgery.

Ryan Rua hit a two-run homer in the 7th.

Alvarez fanned seven of 13 batters. He's been solid in Round Rock, holding lefties to a .182/.317/.364 line, and you might see him pitching to an MLB lefty or two in September.


AA: at Frisco 3, Corpus Christi (HOU) 10
Record: 59-76 overall, eliminated

SP Yohander Mendez: 5.1 IP, 7 H (3 HR), 6 R, 0 BB, 6 SO, 3.79 ERA
RP Connor Sadzeck: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 SO, 6.28 ERA
CF Michael O'Neill: 2-4, double, walk, .258/.340/.401
LF Scott Heineman: 2-4, double, .282/.363/.425
3B Juremi Profar: 2-4, 2 doubles, .267/.301/.383

Yesterday was Yohander Mendez's season in microcosm: pretty good except for all the homers. For the season, he walked 9% of his opponents, slightly above the league average but also an improvement on his 2016. He struck out 22%, off his previous season figure of 26% but still better than average for a starting pitcher. And now, the "except" part: after giving up a total of 15 homers in his previous five seasons, he's allowed 23 in 2017, the most in AA. Unfortunately, Texas can't go into the offseason assuming Mendez (or Ariel Jurado, who has one more start) will be part of the MLB rotation next April. The Rangers have some holes to fill.

Connor Sadzeck in relief: 24 innings, 9.75 ERA, 14 walks, 24 strikeouts, .330/.420/.553 opposing line.

Frisco was eliminated from postseason contention.


High-A: Down East 2, at Wilmington (KAN) 0 (7)
High-A: Down East 4, at Wilmington (KAN) 2 (7)
Record: 34-31, 2.5 GB

SP Wes Benjamin: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 SO, 3.98 ERA
RP Adam Choplick: 1 IP, 0 R, 3 SO, 3.00 ERA
SP Jonathan Hernandez: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 SO, 3.44 ERA
RP Jeffrey Springs: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO, 3.76 ERA
2B Luis La O: 3-6, .293/.339/.405
C/DH Carlos Garay: 3-6, double, .318/.364/.368
RF Ledarious Clark: 3-6, SB (20), .229/.321/.393

The pitchers listed above handled all 14 innings of yesterday's doubleheader in fine fashion. Down East has allowed 3.8 runs per game in the second half compared to 5.1 in the first. Wes Benjamin has played a major role in the improvement, posting a 2.43 ERA and .259/.295/.343 opposing line since mid-June. He's slated to start the season's final game. 21-year-old Jonathan Hernandez, who may be done unless Down East wins the division, has upped his strikeout rate from 17% to 23% , more befitting his lively stuff, while cutting in half the number of balls leaving the yard.

As is often the case, Down East relied on a single-heavy attack. The Woodies are last in the league in walks and isolated power. That said, in August, Luis La O is hitting everything in sight (.337/.368/.398), and Ledarious Clark has a team-best seven extra-base hits.

Division-leading Buies Creek lost in extras. The Wood Ducks and Astros conclude 2017 with a four-game series in Kinston beginning Friday night. If the Woodies gain another game today, they'll need three of four over the long weekend to claim the division. Otherwise, they'll have to sweep the series.


Low-A: Hickory 0, at Charleston (NYY) 2
Record: 36-29, tied for 1st

SP A.J. Alexy: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 8 SO, 3.05 ERA

Ouch, again. A.J. Alexy concluded his 2017 regular season with a second straight scoreless outing. In five Hickory starts, he delivered a 3.05 ERA in 20.2 innings, .178/.326/.315 opposing line, and many walks (17% rate) and strikeouts (30%). Alexy didn't allow a hit until the 5th.

Unfortunately, Hickory generated very little offense. Nick Green, the third piece of Texas's Carlos Beltran trade last summer, tied a career-high nine strikeouts over five innings, and two River Dog relievers were just as effective.

Kaleb Fontenot was again the victim. He fanned 33% of opposing batters through mid-July but only 19% since. 19% isn't bad, but a few extra hits and five homers have resulted in runs in seven of his last 12 appearances.

The Crawdads find themselves in a tie with West Virginia, which swept a doubleheader to a erase a 1.5-game deficit. Meanwhile, Greensboro blew a chance to take the division lead by percentage points. The Grasshoppers led 9-0 over Kannapolis in the 5th but lost 13-11. If Hickory ties Greensboro in games over .500, the Grasshoppers (which will play two fewer games) will advance on percentage points. Local correspondent Mark Parker contacted the Sally League office and learned that a tie between Hickory and West Virginia will force a one-game playoff for the division title. As it stands, Alexy is in line to pitch that game.


Short-A: Spokane 10, at Salem-Keizer (SFO) 5
Record: 21-14, +1 G

SP Cole Ragans: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 3 SO, 3.62 ERA
RP Alex Speas: 1 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO, 6.54 ERA
RP Noah Bremer: 2 IP, 0 R, 4 SO, 1.50 ERA
RP Alex Eubanks: 2 IP, 0 R, 2 SO, 1.17 ERA
3B Tyler Ratliff: 2-4, double, walk, .269/.340/.434
C Matt Whatley: 4-5, HR (6), .289/.381/.452
DH Melvin Novoa: 1-5, HR (4), .281/.336/.469
2B Kole Enright: 2-4, SB (4), .230/.309/.320

Cole Ragans' final 2017 start was his shortest and among the least effective. For the season, Ragans held the opposition to a .234/.344/.360 line, walking 35 (14%) and striking out 87 (35%) in 57.1 innings. He's going to lead the Northwest League in strikeouts and has the most of any pitcher during Texas's 15-year affiliation with Spokane. A walk-heavy season, to be sure, but he did nothing to diminish his prospect status. Be enthused.

Fortunately, with Thursday off, manager Matt Hagen could employ the bullpen to its fullest. Five combined to allow only two hits and two walks over 7.1 innings. Bremer and Eubanks, the once-a-week tag team, have a combined five walks, 50 strikeouts, and five runs allowed in 33.1 innings.

3rd-rounder Matt Whatley had a day. He's also thrown out 35% of base-stealers. Texas couldn't have hoped for any better from the Oral Roberts alum.

The league has today off, followed by a concluding three-day intra-division series. Spokane will host Everett, which is three games back. Here are the possible outcomes based on how many games Spokane wins over the weekend.

Win 0: eliminated
Win 1: champion if Tri-City wins exactly one of three against Vancouver
Win 2: champion unless Tri-City sweeps Vancouver
Win 3: champion no matter what

If Spokane is swept and Tri-City wins one of three, the entire four-team division will finish at 21-17. Vancouver will win that scenario based on second-half intra-division record, and since the Canadians also won the first half, the other playoff team would be the one with the second-best overall record. That would be Tri-City.


Rookie: Rangers 15, at Brewers 1
Record: 16-9, +2.5 G

SP Derek Heffel: 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 SO, 2.84 ERA
RP Israel Cruz: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 5 SO, 5.91 ERA
CF Bubba Thompson: 2-5, HR (3), .269/.327/.462
3B Justin Jacobs: 1-3, 3 walks, .318/.428/.428
DH Sam Huff: 3-5, HR (9), .257/.341/.475
RF Darius Day: 1-1, 3 walks, .333/.667/.417

The Rangers put 24 runners on base in the first six innings. Top pick Bubba Thompson hit his third homer.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
The rookies won the Arizona League semifinal over the Dodgers 7-3. Nick Williams hit a three-run homer, Nomar Mazara hit a solo shot, and Lewis Brinson reached three times. Frisco's Miguel de los Santos gave up two runs in three innings. The 24-year-old would never pitch for an affiliated team again.

Today's Starters:
AAA: David Ledbetter
AA: Pedro Payano
High-A: Steven Bruce
Low-A: Edgar Arredondo
Short-A: off
Rookie: TBA

--

Rangers Farm Report: Games of Tuesday 29 August
Box Scores


AAA: at Round Rock 4, Col. Springs (MIL) 1
Record: 62-70, eliminated

SP Clayton Blackburn: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 SO, 4.85 ERA
RP Paolo Espino: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 SO, 4.46 ERA
LF Willie Calhoun: 2-4, .294/.351/.564
CF Jared Hoying: 3-4, .264/.327/.423
1B Ronald Guzman: 2-4, double, .304/.375/.446

Waiver-claim Paulo Espino made his organization debut. He relies primarily on a nifty curve and good control of an 87-90 fastball, a slider and change.

One of Willie Calhoun's hits was a on a bunt. Ronald Guzman doubled on a gapper cut by RF Nate Orf. I thought he had no shot, to be honest, but Guzman isn't that slow once he gets up to speed (which takes a while).

RHP Tanner Scheppers accepted his outright assignment. OF Drew Stubbs was granted his release.


AA: at Frisco 5, Corpus Christi (HOU) 8
Record: 28-36, +6.5 G

SP Collin Wiles: 4 IP, 14 H (1 HR), 7 R, 1 BB, 2 SO, 4.71 ERA
RP Shane McCain: 2 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO, 5.72 ERA
RP Brady Feigl: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 SO, 5.01 ERA
CF Jose Cardona: 3-5, .278/.317/.386
3B Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 4-5, SB (17), .295/.357/.402
LF Scott Heineman: 2-5, double, .280/.362/.422

Wiles may have one more start. If so, he'll get a chance to finish on a better note than yesterday, when 14 of 23 balls in play went for hits, the most he's ever allowed.

Frisco's 1-2-3 hitters (listed above) combined for nine hits.

Frisco's postseason chances require a 6-0 finish, and an 0-6 finish by Midland, and no better than a 2-4 finish by Corpus Christi. Unlikely.


High-A: wet

Two tonight.


Low-A: Hickory 3, at Charleston (NYY) 4
Record: 36-28, +1 G

SP Michael Matuella: 5 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 SO, 4.37 ERA
RP Christian Torres: 2 IP, 0 R, 2 SO, 2.70 ERA
RP C.D. Pelham: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 SO, 3.23 ERA
1B Andretty Cordero: 1-4, HR (4), .280/.311/.401

Ouch. Up 3-2 in the 8th, C.D. Pelham surrendered two earned runs for the first time since late May on a double, triple and single. Greensboro stayed one game back with a lost 4-0 to Kannapolis.

In six starts since reaching his slightly constrained peak capacity for 2017 (70-90 pitches), Mike Matuella has a 3.34 ERA, nine walks and 20 strikeouts in 29.2 innings.  Andretty Cordero hit his 12th homer of the year including eight in Spokane.
 

Short-A: Spokane 6, at Salem-Keizer (SFO) 4
Record: 20-14, tied for 1st

SP Hever Bueno: 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 10 SO, 5.57 ERA
RP Joe Barlow: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 5 SO, 2.14 ERA
RP Joe Kuzia: 2 IP, 0 R, 4 SO, 2.22 ERA
2B Kole Enright: 1-3, walk, .225/.306/.317
1B Curtis Terry: 1-3, HR (12), walk, .265/.314/.488

Curtis Terry took sole control of the league lead in homers with his 12th. Cordero, who was promoted in mid-July, still ranks fifth. Spokane struck out 19 Volcanoes.


Rookie: off


Five Years Ago Yesterday
Texas announced its Arizona Fall League roster. I've added their current status in parentheses:
LHP Miguel de los Santos (designated for assignment two days later, claimed by Milwaukee but didn't appear in the AFL or pitch for an affiliated team ever again. Long, weird story.)
RHP Jimmy Reyes (still a Ranger)
RHP Ryan Rodebaugh (reached AAA, released during 2015, spent two seasons with indy St. Paul)
RHP Ben Rowen (reached MLB briefly in 2014, released after season, now in 7th organization [Mets] )
C Kellin Deglan (reached AA, became free agent after 2016, signed with Yankees but hurt all season)
SS Leury Garcia (traded for Alex Rios in 2013, swinging a surprisingly worthy stick for the White Sox)
1B Chris McGuiness (reached MLB briefly in 2013, traded to Pirates, released by Phillies in August 2015)
SS Luis Sardinas (Reached MLB in 2014, traded for Yovani Gallardo, currently in Baltimore system)

Today's Starters:
AAA: Adrian Sampson
AA: Yohander Mendez
High-A: W. Benjamin / J. Hernandez
Low-A: A.J. Alexy
Short-A: Cole Ragans
Rookie: TBA

MLB announced the Arizona Fall League rosters this afternoon. The Texas contingent:

RHP Steven Bruce (undrafted, 5.91 ERA for Down East)
LHP Adam Choplick (late-inning reliever for Down East, 72 SO in 53 IP)
RHP Tyler Ferguson (7.18 ERA for Down East, good raw stuff, trying to control it)
RHP David Ledbetter (4.29 ERA in AAA, spent all of 2015-2016 in high-A)
C Josh Morgan (.260/.311/.369 for Down East, youngest Ranger, catching 1/4 of games, also SS/3B)
IF Luis La O (.290/.337/.404 for Down East, Cuban signing, 2B/3B)
OF Michael O'Neill (offseason signing, Paul's nephew, .254/.336/.395 for Frisco)
OF Yanio Perez (another Cuban, .283/.346/.440 between lo and high-A, also 1B/3B)

Per MLB.com's midseason prospect rankings, Perez is 11th in the Texas system and Morgan is 15th.

Rangers Farm Report: Games of Monday 28 August
Box Scores


AAA: cancelled

Assuming no further weather mishaps, the Express will lose four games to the elements in 2017, equal to the total number lost by Texas's AAA affiliates during the previous 13 seasons.


AA: Frisco 4, at Midland (OAK) 1
Record: 28-35, 5.5 GB

SP Tyler Davis: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO, 2.45 ERA
RP Jake Diekman: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2.25 ERA
RP Nick Gardewine: 1 IP, 0 R, 1 SO, 2.27 ERA
LF Scott Heineman: 2-4, .279/.361/.420
DH Luke Tendler: 2-3, double, HR (13), walk, .247/.315/.413

The reigning Texas League pitcher of the week extended his scoreless streak to 15.2 innings. Davis was pulled after only 63 pitches in order to get Jake Diekman and the Frisco bullpen some work.

Luke Tendler's 2017 performance in AA is similar to his 2015 in Hickory. Last year was better, but that was in High Desert. Tendler just turned 26.


High-A: off

And tonight's contest in Wilmington, Delaware, has been postponed by rain.


Low-A: off

Hickory visits Charleston, which leads the other division with the best second-half record (38-24) in the league, while division rival Greensboro hosts Kannapolis.


Short-A: Spokane 9, at Salem-Keizer (SFO) 4
Record: 19-14, tied for 1st, magic number 6

SP Tai Tiedemann: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 3 SO, 3.83 ERA
SS Chris Seise: 2-5, double, .224/.252/.276
3B Tyler Ratliff: 2-5, double, .270/.342/.437
LF Austin O'Banion: 2-3, HBP, .262/.359/.457
1B Curtis Terry: 3-5, HR (11), .260/.306/.471

Much more of a nail-biter than the score suggests. Spokane nursed a 2-1 lead for several innings before a seven-run 9th. Tai Tiedemann did what he often does, wandering into occasional trouble but finding a way out. He's walked his fair share and has been hittable, but a heavy dose of grounders has limited most of the hits to singles.

Chris Seise's overall line in Spokane isn't much, but he's tallied four multi-hit games in the last six. Including his standout rookie-league performance, he's at .285/.332/.402 for the season. Curtis Terry's career will hinge on how often he hits the ball far. He's homered once per 20 times to the plate in 2017, nearly double the previous season's rate.

Tri-City won and Vancouver lost, placing Spokane in a two-way tie for the division lead.


Rookie: Rangers 4, at Dodgers 0
Record: 15-9, +1.5 G, magic number 3

SP Jean Casanova: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 SO, 2.70 ERA
1B Tyreque Reed: 1-3, double, walk, .349/.457/.623
C Sam Huff: 1-3, HR (8), walk, .247/.337/.455

Xavier Moore, Werner Leal, Wes Robertson and Joel Urena split the last four innings in a three-hit shutout. Add Jean Casanova to the list of pitchers I'll want to see next March. The 20-year-old set a career-high in strikeouts in successive games, whiffed 29% of his opponents during the season, and allowed six doubles, no triples and no homers in 36.2 innings.

Sam Huff has hit for a lower average but much more power in a repeat of the level.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
A listed crowd of 1,999 at the Dell Diamond saw homers from Leonys Martin and Joey Butler in a doubleheader sweep of New Orleans. Round Rock hosted games originally scheduled for Metarie but displaced by Hurricane Isaac.

Today's Starters:
AAA: Alvarez / Sampson (tandem)
AA: Collin Wiles
High-A: already postponed, two tomorrow
Low-A: Mike Matuella
Short-A: Hever Bueno
Rookie: off

Rangers Farm Report: Games of Saturday 26 August
Box Scores


AAA: Round Rock 7, at Nashville (OAK) 6
Record: 61-69, eliminated

SP James Dykstra: 5.2 IP, 5 H (2 HR), 4 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 SO, 7.38 ERA
3B Will Middlebrooks: 2-4, walk
C A.J. Jimenez: 2-5, 2 doubles
DH Brett Hayes: 4-5, 3 doubles
RF Preston Beck: 2-4, walk

This one played out much like the night before, with several lead changes and late tension. But this time, Nashville's winning run struck out with the tying run on base. Jurickson Profar is out on paternity leave.

Texas designated reliever Tanner Scheppers for assignment. He was already outrighted earlier this season, so if he clears waivers again, he can declare free agency (at the expense of his pro-rated salary of $975,000). It's an interesting decision, given some of the players on the current 40 that probably won't last the offseason. In any case, Scheppers is going to have a different employer in 2018, I'd say.

Round Rock hosts Colorado Springs tomorrow. On paper, at least. I assume the Express are scheduled to fly home from Nashville tomorrow morning, while the Sky Sox are currently in New Orleans under a rain delay.


AA: Frisco 3, at Midland (OAK) 0
Record: 26-35, 7.5 GB

SP Richelson Pena: 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 SO, 2.30 ERA
RP Nick Gardewine: 1 IP, 0 R, 2.34 ERA
C Jose Trevino: 2-3, walk

Richelson Pena has pitched this well before, but never for this many innings in AA. Nick Gardewine breezed through the 9th in his first appearance after his tough-luck MLB debut. Jose Trevino was the only Rider with two hits, although Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andy Ibanez tripled. IKF needs two more extra-base hits for 39, which would match his total in 379 games between 2013-2016. He's one of Texas's many intriguing 40-man decisions this fall.


High-A: at Down East 6, Lynchburg (CLE) 2
Record: 31-31, 3.5 GB

SP Brett Martin: 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 SO, 4.88 ERA
RP Steven Bruce: 2 IP, 0 R, 2 SO, 5.91 ERA
CF Matt Lipka: 4-5, HR (8)
SS Josh Morgan: 2-4, walk
1B Yanio Perez: 3-5, double

Last year, Brett Martin's frustrating, injury-plagued 2016 culminated in one of the best performances in Texas minor league history, as he fanned 15 in seven no-hit innings during the Cal League finals. Yesterday wasn't quite as memorable, but with Down East still in the division race, he offered the best start of his frustrating, injury-plagued 2017. He's another tricky 40-man decision in three months.

The three batters listed were the top three in the order. That's some fine lineup construction.


Low-A: at Hickory 11, Columbia (NYM) 7
Record: 36-26, +1 G

SP Walker Weickel: 5.2 IP, 6 H (1 HR), 2 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 4 SO, 3.14 ERA
RP C.D. Pelham: 1 IP, 0 R, 1 SO, 2.98 ERA
SS Anderson Tejeda: 3-5, 2 triples
RF Frankliln Rollin : 3-4

A laugher turned scary in the 9th, as Columbia began the inning down by nine and managed to get the tying run to the on-deck circle before making an out. C.D. Pelham entered to record the final three outs under pressure. In his last three months, Pelham has a 1.18 ERA, with 50 strikeouts and 14 walks in 38 innings. He's always has the stuff to dominate at this level; the walks are more impressive.

Quietly struggling for much of the season, 19-year-old Anderson Tejeda is batting .306/.352/.529 in August.


Short-A: Spokane 5, at Salem-Keizer (SFO) 3
Record: 17-14, 1 GB

SP Tyler Phillips: 7 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 5 SO, 3.55 ERA
RP Joe Kuzia: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 SO, 2.39 ERA
CF Miguel Aparicio: 3-5, HR (4)
DH Melvin Novoa: 2-4, double

Tyler Phillips exceed 100 pitches for the first time as a professional. His good control has become superior in 2017, allowing him to average over six innings per start during the last two months. That's a lot of innings for short-A.

Until last night, Mevin Novoa was hitless in four games since coming back from a hamstring injury.

I don't know if Miguel Aparicio, just-acquired Pedro Gonzalez and top pick Bubba Thompson will man the same outfield next April in Hickory, but I can dream about it. The pitchers will be thrilled.

Tri-City and Vancouver also won to stay a game ahead of Spokane. Vancouver won the first-half title, so if they prevail again, the other playoff team will be the one with the second-best overall record. That scenario favors Tri-City, so Spokane needs to pass both of them.


Rookie: Rangers 1, at Cubs 6
Record: 13-9, +0.5 G

SP Ryan Dease: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, 2.25 ERA

Texas's 4th-rounder pitched three innings for the first time. He's walked only two in 20 innings.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Hurricane Isaac forced the PCL to move Round Rock's series in New Orleans to the Dell Diamond.

Today's Starters:
AAA: Anthony Bass
AA: Ariel Jurado
High-A: Kyle Cody
Low-A: Reiver Sanmartin
Short-A: Tyree Thompson
Rookie: TBA