:no_upscale()/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/dmn/YZCP3DTXJYB7QFUSDJS7FXAKX4.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1171&ssl=1 "Rangers prospect Cole Ragans returns to brilliance with strongest start of the year")
CLEVELAND – Cole Ragans, who has solidly reappeared on the Rangers’ prospect map after three injury-plagued years, is about to sort out the subsequent massive hurdle in his comeback.
It’s all about upkeep.
Ragans, the Rangers’ first-round decide in 2016, should discover a manner to keep his stuff deep into the season. Last year, his first since 2017, he began robust at Class A Hickory, even incomes a spot in the All-Star Futures recreation, however drained down the stretch.
So far: All indicators are optimistic. On Wednesday, in his tenth start of the season at Double-A Frisco, Ragans made maybe his strongest start of the year in a 4-0 win over Amarillo of the Arizona group. He went six shutout innings, permitting three hits and a stroll whereas hanging out 9. Ragans, who threw 93 pitches, lowered his ERA for the season to 2.82. He’s averaging 11.5 strikeouts per 9 innings and simply 3.35 walks.
“I want to be ready for the second half,” Ragans stated final week. “I think my body is ready to take that on. Last year, I got a little tired. My velocity was inconsistent. Walks went up; strikeouts went down. I’ve tried to make my body a little more explosive and ready to stand up.”
After his tenth start final year, Ragans, now 24, was promoted from Hickory to Frisco. At Frisco, he compiled a 5.70 ERA over seven begins. His strikeout charge fell from 10.97 to 8.25. Ragans completed the season with 80 2/3 innings between the two ranges. It was knowledgeable excessive. The aim is to end in triple digits for the first time. That’s extra liable to make him a viable contender for a serious league rotation spot in 2023.
Ragans has to date maintained velocity into the mid-90s vary. He’s additionally throwing a cutter in the excessive 80s that he selected over a slider. He’s been higher ready to land it for strikes and has used it efficiently towards lefties.
“I’m pretty excited,” Ragans stated. “We’ve got a good thing going right now. I’m keeping my strength and explosiveness. I’m good to play baseball again and I’m healthy and enjoying it. I feel like every game I’m learning more and more quickly able to make adjustments. And I’m starting to use that to my advantage.”
Find extra Rangers protection from The Dallas Morning News right here.
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