Rangers Minor League Insider: Promotions mark progress for prospects

It’s that time of year when minor league rosters begin to shift and reshape as players are promoted (or demoted).

Two of the more notable moves in the Rangers’ organization were the promotions of outfielder Ryan Cordell and catcher Alex Burg to Double A Frisco from High A High Desert.

Neither wasted much time getting acclimated. Burg went 2 for 4 with a home run, his 16th overall this season. He led the minors in slugging (.615) and was second in OPS (on-base, plus slugging percentage) at 1.039 before Saturday’s game.

The 27-year-old Burg is 5 for 9 in his first two games with Frisco. He was a 24th-round pick by the Giants in 2009.

Cordell, an 11th-round pick by the Rangers in 2013, is 1 for 7 in his first two Double A games. Cordell, 23, was hitting .311 with 31 extra-base hits for High Desert.

Other moves include infielder Edwin Garcia moving from Frisco to Triple A Round Rock and a slew of players moving from Low A Hickory to High Desert, including right-handers John Fasola, Adam Parks and David Perez and infielders Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tripp Martin.

Left-hander Shane McCain and infielder Juremi Profar (Jurickson’s younger brother) moved from High Desert to Hickory.

Catcher Oliver Caraballo has been assigned to Advanced-A High Desert

Robinson’s big night

Frisco second baseman Drew Robinson went 4 for 4 with a triple, homer and six RBI on Friday night. It was Robinson’s 15th homer, tied for the Texas League lead. Robinson is third in the league with 44 RBI.

Homer happy

High Desert and Visalia, Ariz., combined for 11 homers in Thursday’s 14-13 Mavericks’ win. The Mavericks had seven in the win. On Friday, Visalia hit three more, including former TCU star Kevin Cron’s 16th.

All-Star nods

Eight RoughRiders were named to the Texas League All-Star rosters, including starters outfielder Nick Williams and third baseman and current Ranger Joey Gallo. Reserves included infielder Robinson, outfielder Nomar Mazara, catcher Jorge Alfaro and pitchers Jake Thompson, Jesus Pirela and David Martinez. The game is Tuesday in Corpus Christi.

Mazara and Williams have also been invited to play in the All-Star Futures Game during the MLB All-Star break in Cincinnati on July 12.

High Desert left-hander Frank Lopez, Cordell and Burg were named to the California League All-Star team.

Tate’s debut

Rangers first-round pick and No. 4 overall selection Dillon Tate made his minor league debut on Friday for Spokane in the Short-A Northwest League.

The right-hander from UC Santa Barbara pitched the first inning, walking three, striking out one and induced a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play.

Key stat

32 Games since Frisco outfielder Nick Williams last made an error. He has eight in 66 games in the outfield this season.

This story was originally published June 27, 2015 at 7:02 PM with the headline "Rangers Minor League Insider: Promotions mark progress for prospects."