Jorge Alfaro likely out for the year, Dillon Tate signs, and then some
/- Jorge Alfaro, generally regarded as one of Texas's three best prospects (along with Joey Gallo and Nomar Mazara) is likely out for the season, per Evan Grant. According to Scott Lucas, who writes the Farm Report in Jamey Newberg's Newsletter, Alfaro "suffered a leg injury running the bases".
Only 22, Alfaro is considered the Rangers catcher of the future. It's unlikely he would've contributed to the major league team in 2015 -- even in September -- but for a guy with perceived holes as a receiver behind the plate, the real loss here is the amount of reps he'll be getting in real-game action.
- The Rangers and its first round pick, Dillon Tate, from the recent June Draft have agreed to terms. The singing bonus is worth $4.2 million, roughly $800K below the slot value. From everything front office officials have said, they believe he has the potential to be a #1 starter down the road. In a weak draft for both position players and pitchers, Tate was the consensus best arm; I'm not sure what that's worth at this point, but the Rangers have had success grooming young pitchers in recent years -- most notably Chi Chi Gonzalez and Nick Martinez -- so there's hope that they will have another horse come 2018. He will throw his first pitches for the Spokane Indians when the short season leagues get underway.
- It's June 14th, and Texas is 1.5 games out of first place. Winners of 17 of its last 23 games, this afternoon they go for the sweep against the Twins.
- ERAs for Rangers starters:
1. Nick Martinez (2.65)
2. Wandy Rodriguez (3.03)
3. Yovani Gallardo (3.45)
4. Colby Lewis (4.37)
- xFIPs for Rangers starters:
1. Gallardo (3.65)
2. Rodriguez (4.01)
3. Lewis (4.44)
4. Martinez (4.82)
- fWAR for Rangers starters:
1. Lewis (+1.5)
2. Gallardo (+1.2)
3. Rodriguez (+1.0)
4. Martinez (+0.8)