Tuesday Newsletter time: A.J. Alexy keeps Texas Rangers' pitching depth trending in right direction
The right-hander allowed one hit in five scoreless innings in his MLB debut, following in the fresh footsteps of two other rookies.
ARLINGTON — Hey, the Texas Rangers might have something in their minor leagues, and it might shock some of you.
Starting pitching.
Those who have followed the farm system this season know that the Rangers have developed quality rotation depth, and that doesn’t include first-round pick Jack Leiter.
But it does include A.J. Alexy, who allowed one hit Monday night in five scoreless innings to win his MLB debut in a 4-3 victory over Colorado. Left-hander Jake Latz and right-hander Glenn Otto, who also debuted over the past week, are in that group.
“For three in a row, within a week, for them to have the success they’ve had is fairly remarkable,” manager Chris Woodward said.
Cole Winn, the 2018 first-rounder who has dominated this season at Double A Frisco, is part of the depth along with fellow righties Yerry Rodriguez, Ronny Henriquez and Zak Kent. Oh, and lefties Cole Ragans and Cody Bradford.
They add to a group of the injured John King, Kyle Cody and Joe Palumbo. Brock Burke is pitching better as he returns from shoulder surgery in 2020.
“It’s a cool success story for the organization. We’re going to need that as we go forward when we’re a contending team. It’s huge for that. It’s huge to bring these guys up and feel like they belong.”
Alexy walked three and struck out four. His fastball wasn’t as sharp as he would have preferred, but he adjusted to his slider and changeup to keep the Rockies off the fat part of the bat.
Latz, Otto and Alexy combined to allow three runs in 14 2/3 innings (1.84 ERA). Latz and Otto didn’t issue any walks, but Alexy was the only one to pick up a W.
“It almost sets the standard for the new guys coming in,” Alexy said. “It’s like, ‘Hey, let’s do 100% of everything we can to shut down the team.”
DJ Peters, good dude
After his introductory Zoom call early this month after being claimed on waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers, I had a feeling this would happen:
I like DJ Peters.
This has very little to do with his baseball abilities, though the way he plays is exciting and he has talent that he’s still trying to put all together.
He’s just a really good guy, and for a rookie he can really fill up a notebook.
For beat writers, those are the two most important tools a ballplayer can have.
But for writers to fully take advantage of that skill set, the player has to produce. The book is still out on Peters, who is batting only .200 in 95 at-bats since joining the Rangers.
That’s actually trending upward.
Peters went 3 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs on Sunday. He started an eight-run fifth with the home run that chased Zack Greinke, and Adolis Garcia swatted a grand slam later in the frame.
Peters got the Rangers going Monday with a solo homer off German Marquez, giving him has seven homers and 18 RBIs in 25 games. His defense at all three outfield spots has been more than adequate. He can run, too.
The Rangers have something to work with in Peters. Speaking as someone who needs good quotes, here’s hoping it works out.
A crowd-pleaser, but …
Those who were at Globe Life Field on Monday were treated to a good ballgame.
The Rangers’ series-opening win over the Rockies had a little of everything — an MLB debut, three home runs for the home team, two for the visitors by a local product, good defense and a nail-biter at the end.
A 4-3 game, or a score somewhere in the vicinity, while played in under three hours is about as good as MLB can do these days.
The bad news is it was played before the smallest crowd of the season, 14,990.
Granted, the kids are back in school and Mondays suck and the Rockies have never been a big draw in Arlington. And, yes, the three-game weekend series against the Houston Astros drew 98,158 fans.
But Globe Life Field might be losing its new ballpark smell.
The thrill of sitting in air conditioning can only take the attendance figure so far. Fans now need a reason to go, and a team that is 39 games below .500 isn’t a very good reason.
When the Atlanta Braves opened their new ballpark in 2017, their crowds steadily dwindled as the team fell further and further out of contention. By the time the Rangers arrived there in September, crowds were below 10,000.
The Braves, of course, have turned things around and are packing fans into Truist Field even in that stifling Cobb County humidity. The Rangers packed Globe Life Park during their World Series years.
Fans like a winner, air conditioning or not.
Doggy video!
It’s possible this is a repeat video. It’s that good (sound on). Enjoy. See you Wednesday.
I went Monday night and it's not that the ballpark is losing its allure or that AC isn't the big deal they thought it might be. It's a team that's 30 games out, has traded its biggest names, and has Covid problems. The folks that were there weren't there for the game. They were there for boomsticks, trying to start the wave, and taking selfies. Want a crowd? Put the product on the field and people will show up to watch the game.
In Texas, baseball is amusement. The Cowboys are religion. They will fill AT&T for 8 games even if they lose all of them. The Rangers do not have that leeway. Watching the fans in the suites behind home plate last night eating and talking and paying absolutely no attention to the game says it all.