The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, are sending yet another player to The Show. Nick Gardewine, a relief pitcher for the RoughRiders, has been promoted directly to the Texas Rangers. The news broke Monday that the Texas had purchased Gardewine’s contract, and the young reliever was on his way to Major League Baseball.
From the RoughRiders.com press release:
“Gardewine, 24, has had a fantastic season with the RoughRiders, posting a 2.41 ERA in 30 appearances, including four saves in five attempts. The righty worked scoreless outings in 22 of his 30 appearances, including 17 of his final 21 outings with the club. He has done the bulk of his work late in games, pitching 32 of his 33 2/3 innings in the eighth inning or later.
The native of Effingham, Illinois would be the 139th former Riders player to make the Major Leagues. He is the second Riders reliever called up this month, joining Ricardo Rodriguez, who joined the Rangers on August 8.”
Gardewine has truly made an impact for the RoughRiders. As the club’s starting pitching has been mostly questionable at times, the bullpen has provided their fair share of success. Gardewine is one of a few of those relief pitchers who have made a difference. It’s been a pleasure watching him pitch this season, and Rangers fans should look forward to seeing him at the major league level.
As the Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball seasons come close to an end, this is the time to give farmhands a chance at the highest level. It’s times like this where guys get experience, and clubs can find any potential hidden gems.
With the bullpen situation being questionable all season for the Rangers, there is no shock that the club is bringing up relief pitchers. If Texas expects to fix their bullpen for 2018, they have to start seeing what some of their minor league players have.
Follow Blake Cole on Twitter (@blakeacole) for more on Nick Gardewine, the Texas Rangers, Frisco RoughRiders, and more.
*Featured image courtesy of the Frisco RoughRiders.