Ugly Game, Good Day

That was one disappointing loss.  Each pitcher after Josh Rupe allowed at least a run, and the team seemed okay with that.  They were treating the runs allowed by Madrigal and Wright like they were just a run, not actually affecting the outcome of the game at all.  However, with the final score being 10-8, the two runs allowed by Madrigal and Wright were pivotal, meaning Eddie Guardado's implosion was in a game much closer than it should have been.  On the hitting side, I was disappointed by the lack of quality ABs late in the game.  The two runs in the seventh were because of a two strike fastball mistake by Boone Logan to Salty, and the eighth against Dotel was ugly.  As for the ninth, Hamilton was the only one who seemed like he didn't just want to hit the showers and get out of town.  Bobby Jenks is hittable and we're a fastball-hitting team.  We allowed five runs in the bottom of the eighth, but the ninth showed more of the character of this club when it comes to being able to beat quality teams.

As for the good part of today, the Rangers came to terms with their fifth- and seventh-round draft picks.  Fifth-rounder Clark Murphy had a disappointing senior season at Fallbrook High School in California, dropping a possible first-round talent to the fifth.  Jason Cole interviewed him here.  Apparently he was battling a quad injury for the duration of his season, which meant a position change to first base from the outfield and a more inconsistent approach at the plate.  His raw power is monstrous, but as with most high school sluggers, his approach will need to be changed to succeed in the pros.  Seventh-rounder Matt Thompson is from Grace Prep Academy in Arlington, so it's a bit surprising it took him this long to sign.  The Rangers signed him away from a commitment to TCU, so it's likely he received above-slot money, as was indicated by Kevin Goldstein last week.  According to his interview on lonestardugout.com, he throws a four-seam, two-seam, curve, and change, with the change being the weakest.  Any time you have a tall right-hander that can hit 94 with a four-pitch repertoire, you are blessed.  The Rangers now have a few of them.  If Justin Smoak, Robbie Ross, and one of the projectible late-round high school players signs for above-slot money, the Rangers will have had a great draft haul.  We'll see in time whether those players turn out to be future Rangers or busts.