The Erlin bird gets the worm Previous: Catcher, First Base, Second Base, Shortstop, Third Base, Left Field, Center Field and Right Field.
C.J. Wilson
30 - Texas Rangers
Too little has been said about Wilson's almost seamless transition to starting pitcher. Fifteen wins, three complete games and a .217 BAA. And how good was he in the meat of the season when the Rangers typically crumble? He went 8-2 in July and August with ERAs under 3.00 in each. Granted, not great in August, but he turned it on when the Rangers needed it.
Colby Lewis
31 - Texas Rangers
Rangers had two starters over 200 innings (Wilson and Lewis). If you really want to break down the stats, Lewis had the better year. But he didn't get the run support and wound up 12-13. Probably deserved at least 15 wins. A year ago, how insecure were we with Lewis. Now, we just assume he'll give us 200 innings.
Neftali Feliz
22 - Texas Rangers
That's right. He's 22. And we're bugging that somehow he's stuck as a pitcher. He's totaled 110 Ks in 26 walks.
Tommy Hunter
24 - Texas Rangers
I get the feeling the Rangers don't think much of Tommy Hunter. I don't disagree. His strikeouts stink and he has fair control. He overpowers no one and gets hit with regularity. He also gets outs. Lots of them. Thirteen wins and a 3.73 ERA in 2010. If you've got something better, let me know.
Brandon Webb
31 - Texas Rangers
If back, he's as good as it simply gets. If not, back to the drawing board.
Derek Holland
24 - Texas Rangers
Just 24 years old and many are willing to give up on the guy. People are idiots. People also weren't around for the first 40 years of Rangers baseball. That walk parade he hosted in the World Series overshadows an up-and-down season which ended with a 4.08 ERA. All he needs to do is prove it on the big stage, consistently.
Michael Kirkman
24 - Texas Rangers
Surprisingly it's 2010 and Kirkman's considered a piece of the rotation puzzle. He went 13-3 with a 3.09 ERA. His strikeout rate went through the roof as his walk rate steadied. Would've not considered him a realistic option for the rotation. Well, screw me. He's proven he belongs.
Omar Beltre
29 - Oklahoma City RedHawks
Beltre's had some hard luck. Caught up in the visa scandal, he was really good in Triple A (2.65 ERA, 85 Ks, 85 IP) and got two spot starts in Arlington. He was rocked. But that doesn't spoil anything. He hurt his ankle to kaput his 2010 and now is dealing with a spinal thing pooping on at least the first half of his 2011.
Eric Hurley
25 - Oklahoma City RedHawks
Pitching lights out this spring. Probably not going to hit the Majors until he spends more time recovering from an injury that prevented him from pitching in 2010. Still, very young with time to improve.
Mason Tobin
23 - Oklahoma RedHawks
Had in the Rule 5 pick from the California Angels. No doubt he has something. But when you pitch 96 innings in four professional seasons of baseball, there's clearly something wrong. Didn't throw a professional pitch in 2010 at all. Remember: Guys aren't left open in the Rule 5 draft unless they aren't expendable.
Martin Perez
19 - Frisco RoughRiders
Perez probably could have spent 2010 in Bakersfield and done pretty well for himself. But the Rangers of now push their prospects and Perez floundered in Frisco and spent part of the year injured. His bloated 5.96 ERA looks awful, but the strikeout per inning shows progress and ability. Clearly, the best prospect the Rangers got.
Richard Bleier
23 - Frisco RoughRiders
A disappointing 2010. Strikeouts were waaaay down. Walks were about the same. Just gave up a shitload of hits.
Carlos Pimentel
21 - Bakersfield Blaze
Last year was forgettable. Walks, hits and runs were all up. The big difference is that his ERA jumped from 2.93 to 5.16. Spent one start in Frisco, mainly due to half of the Double A starters getting traded. Interesting to see where he starts in 2011.
Joe Wieland
21 -- Bakersfield Blaze
I think our friend Joe gets a call to Frisco sooner than later. Although his numbers generally went up with the call to Bakersfield, his strikeout rate actually increased.
Robbie Ross
21 - Bakersfield Blaze
Great, again, in Hickory and hit a wall in the California League. The reason he'll keep moving isn't maybe his pristine stats but that beautiful 3:1 groundball-flyball ratio.
Wilfredo Boscan
21 - Bakersfield Blaze
Got a full exposure to professional hitting. Sadly, it took place in the warm, dry California summer where ERAs go to die. All numbers went up, but his strikeouts were also up.
Jacob Brigham
22 -- Bakersfield Blaze
Logged 132 innings after missing all of 2008 due to injury. Was good in Hickory before bump.
Wilmer Font
20 - Bakersfield Blaze
It's unbelievable that he's only 20. Was OK in 2010. A strikeout per frame. For 20, we'll take it.
Neil Ramirez
21 - Hickory Crawdads
Last season was a break-out for Ramirez and I get the feeling 2011 will be a continuance of that success. Tallied 142 strikeouts and just 37 walks. Seems like he spent 2010 figuring things out.
Matt Thompson
21 - Hickory Crawdads
Looks like Christian Bale. Also struck out 130 and walked 29 last year. He can look like Don Knotts with those numbers.
Robert Erlin
20 - Hickory Crawdads
Somehow, outdid Thompson: 2.12 ERA - 124 Ks - 17 BBs - .213 BAA. Cripes.
Miguel De Los Santos
22 - Hickory Crawdads
Struck out 112 in 70 innings. Slated for Frisco?
Andrew Doyle
23 - Hickory Crawdads
Logged at least two games with Arizona, Spokane, Hickory and Bakersfield. A college kid, I can picture him getting pushed a bit harder in 2011, barring injury.
Randol Rojas
20 - Spokane Indians
Next great Latin pitching prospect? Peripherals weren't great, but a 2.79 ERA is still a 2.79 ERA. Also produced groundballs at a 2:1 rate over flyballs.
Nicholas McBride
19 - Spokane Indians
Posted a 2:1 groundball-flyball ratio in addition to striking out 51 in 70 innings.
Juan Grullon
21 - Spokane Indians
The Dominican is small (6-0), but has an arm. Struck out 44 and walked 10 in the Dominican Summer League, Arizona and Spokane.
Carlos Melo
20 - Arizona Rangers
Remember Melo? Part of the trade that sent Gerald Laird to Detroit? You should get to know him: 70 strikeouts in 58 innings last year. Posted a .204 BAA and 3.70 ERA.
Shawn Blackwell
20 - Arizona Rangers
Tall and slim (6-5 195), Blackwell struck out 42 and walked just nine. The ability to get outs and throw strikes bodes well for anyone.
Ezequiel Rijo
20 - Arizona Rangers
Struck out 44 and walked 18 while in Arizona.
