Friday on the farm: Justin Foscue days away from return. Other Rangers prospects aren't far behind
The 2020 first-round pick has been dealing with an oblique strain but is nearly ready to head back to High A Hickory
Here’s something new: Good injury news from the Texas Rangers’ farm system.
Second baseman Justin Foscue, the 2020 first-round pick (14th overall, Mississippi State), should be back with High A Hickory no later than Tuesday after finishing up a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League.
Foscue hasn’t played since May 21 because of a strained oblique muscle that has responded favorably to a cortisone injection late last month. He could return to the Hickory lineup as soon as Sunday.
He has only 47 at-bats in his first professional season, and was hitting only .170 with two home runs.
He was one of three rehabbers Thursday in the ACL lineup, along with shortstop Davis Wendzel (broken hamate bone) and Sam Huff (knee surgery). Wendzel could be on his way back to Double A Frisco next weekend. Huff is running out of days on his rehab assignment, and it shouldn’t be much longer before he heads to Triple A Round Rock.
The one lingering injury issue belongs to 2020 third-rounder T.K. Roby, who has a sprained right elbow and is hoping to avoid Tommy John surgery. He continues to weigh is options, but a decision should be coming soon.
Acuna heating up
Luisangel Acuna can’t help that his older brother, Ronald Acuna Jr., is one of baseball’s best players, and that fans are curious to know if he will develop into any semblance of the Atlanta Braves All-Star.
The Rangers are curious, too, hoping the bloodlines hold true. But their hope is rooted in the talent the younger Acuna has, and it’s been on display at Low A Down East for the past six weeks.
Acuna has lifted his average 150 points, his on-base percentage 134 points and his slugging percentage 219 points since his season-lows on May 25. He’s batting .366 since then, with 14 of his 18 extra-base hits.
Acuna is only 19, and he had never played above the Dominican Summer League before the season. It was only a matter of time until he started hitting again.
“There’s a learning curve for players when they go out for their first season,” assistant general manager Mike Daly said. “He’s done a really good job of controlling the strike zone, he can use all fields, and his power is coming along.”
Another key development for Acuna has been his ability to play shortstop. The Rangers have a nice depth chart at that position — and potentially could be adding a shortstop with the No. 2 overall pick in Sunday’s MLB Draft — and are convinced Acuna can play that position.
Who is that kid?
The inaugural player of the week for the Arizona Complex League was a Rangers player, but it wasn’t shortstop Max Acosta or outfielder Yosy Galan.
It was center fielder Daniel Mateo, who batted .563 with a 1.125 OPS in his first four games of the season. He collected a triple in the first two games and also hit his first professional home run.
Mateo has shown a hit tool and has speed, and he also is a capable defender. But he’s also 20, missed last season when COVID-19 shut down the minor leagues, and is years away from the majors.
There’s reason to be intrigued, but patience is also required before anointing Mateo as a top prospect.
“He’s an interesting guy for sure,” Daly said. “You’re excited when these come over and get off to a really good start. Like with anything in baseball, it’s the true test of being able to do it day in and day out.”