The Texas Rangers Double-A affiliate the Frisco Rough Riders have already clinched a playoff spot after clinching the first half with a 44-25 record in the Texas League. In the second half, they are 24-22 good enough for second place, and currently sit two games back of first place. They are 68-47 overall on the season which is the best record in the Texas League for the whole season. This week they’ll get an added boost as Kumar Rocker will pitch today then two big league pitchers will toe the rubber as Jacob deGrom will make a rehab assignment tomorrow and then Max Scherzer will take the ball on Friday. The Rough Riders are currently facing the San Antonio Missions who are the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. First pitch of all three games is at 8:05 EST.
RHP – Kumar Rocker
Rocker was drafted third overall by the Rangers in the 2022 MLB Draft. At Double-A this season has made four starts, he’s yet to record a decision but posts a 0.60 ERA, a 0.53 WHIP, a 1.2 BB/9, and a 12.6 K/9 in 15 innings.
RHP – Jacob deGrom
deGrom is working his way back from a torn UCL that ended his 2023 season, he underwent surgery last June and has been rehabbing since. In his first season as a Ranger, he only made six starts going 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA, a 1.54 FIP, a 0.76 WHIP, a 1.2 BB/9, and a 13.4 K/9 in 30.1 innings.
RHP – Max Scherzer
Scherzer was acquired at the trade deadline last season by the Rangers and would make eight starts going 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA, a 3.41 FIP, a 0.96 WHIP, a 3.0 BB/9, and a 10.6 K/9 in 45 innings. Scherzer had back surgery in December but his return in 2024 was slowed by a thumb injury. He made his season debut on June 23rd and he would make eight starts going 2-4 with a 3.89 ERA, a 3.90 FIP, a 1.09 WHIP, a 1.8 BB/9, and an 8.7 K/9 in 39.1 innings. He would then suffer a shoulder issue that sent him to the injured list on Aug. 2. He made three rehab appearances earlier this season for the Rangers Triple-A affiliate the Round Rock Express going 0-1 with a 1.18 WHIP, a 2.5 BB/9, and a 13.9 K/9 in 11 innings.
