Hamels trade causes ripple effect in Rangers’ system

Mike Daly, the Rangers’ senior director of minor league operations, is used to being on his phone, but he took it to a new level Friday evening.

With the Rangers trading away a slew of top prospects, including four pitchers from the minor league system, Daly was busy trying to fill roster spots at Triple A Round Rock, Double A Frisco and Class A teams in Hickory and High Desert.

So where are the arms coming from?

“It’s an excellent question,” Daly said with a laugh.

There are multiple promotion candidates currently at Hickory, including left-handers Brett Martin and Yohander Mendez and right-hander Ariel Jurado. Some could soon be moving up to High Desert after right-handers Adam Parks and Connor Sadzeck were promoted from High Desert to Frisco this weekend.

“Those guys are having real nice seasons down there in Hickory,” Daly said. “We do have some bullpen guys in High Desert who we like, who have good arms.”

Those include Jose Valdespina, John Fasola and Jose Leclerc, who recently switched from the bullpen to the rotation.

The system isn’t completely depleted, of course. Chi Chi Gonzalez, Luke Jackson and Jimmy Reyes remain at Round Rock, and Andrew Faulkner is still at Frisco.

“We feel we have enough depth in our system and have guys ready to step up and move up in the system and ultimately help the team out at the major league level,” Daly said.

Sad goodbyes

Rangers right-hander Nick Martinez, who came up through the Texas system with Alec Asher and Jerad Eickhoff, spoke with both Wednesday night after learning they were part of the Cole Hamels trade with Philadelphia.

“It’s a tough feeling because you don’t know whether to be happy or sad,” Martinez said. “On one hand, you’re leaving a group of guys you’ve been with since you got drafted, and that’s always tough. But on the other hand, it’s another opportunity to showcase your talent.

Tate’s return

Right-hander Dillon Tate, the Rangers’ top draft pick (No. 4 overall) in June, is expected back on the mound this week for Class A Spokane.

Tate pitched an inning in late June before the team shut him down out of extreme caution over right triceps soreness. He’s been working on a throwing program for most of July.

Ortiz on track

Hickory right-hander Luis Ortiz, a first-round pick in 2014, is expected to begin a throwing program in a couple weeks. He was 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA this season before a strained flexor muscle in his throwing arm required rest.

Richardson’s setback

Round Rock outfielder Antoan Richardson broke his foot and will likely miss much of the remainder of the season. Richardson had back surgery in spring training soon after the Rangers purchased his contract.

Irwin returning

Right-hander Phil Irwin is expected to sign a minor league contract with the Rangers to help fill pitching depth at Round Rock. Irwin pitched for Round Rock last season before signing with the KT Wiz of the Korean Baseball Organization this year. He has an 8.68 ERA in 56 innings (12 starts) in the KBO.

Key stat

8 Players from Frisco in 2014 or 2015 were traded in July, including Cody Ege, Tomas Telis, Nick Williams, Jake Thompson, Jorge Alfaro, Jerad Eickhoff, Alec Asher and Jake Skole.

This story was originally published August 1, 2015 at 6:39 PM with the headline "Hamels trade causes ripple effect in Rangers’ system."