For the last time, we'll know by mid-September if Round Rock is going to be a Rangers affiliate, says Reid Ryan.
Ryan:
“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t get stopped and asked this. We’ve been through it before, but from what I’ve heard it’s a pretty quick process. We’ve said that if there was a situation where my dad was going to be in Arlington for a long time and we think that it benefits our fans, employees and investors, then it’s something that we would consider.”
Meanwhile, the Austin American-Statesman can barely hide its boner over the possibility of being part of Texas' system:
For the Express, signing a player-development contract with the Rangers would likely pay immediate dividends on the field. The Astros’ minor league system has languished for several years, and Round Rock has compiled a 188-242 record since 2007. The Express are 45-68 this season. Meanwhile, the Rangers have fashioned one of the most robust farm systems in baseball.
Even after making five trades since May 31, the Rangers still boast plenty of blue-chip talent. All-Stars Elvis Andrus and Neftali Feliz graduated from the Rangers’ farm system last year. Pitchers Tanner Scheppers (Triple-A Oklahoma City) and Martin Perez (Double-A Frisco) and outfielder Engel Beltre (Frisco) are considered premier prospects .
In David Barron's article, we hear from Don Sanders - longtime associate of Ryan, and co-owner of the Express and Hooks, about the potential switch:
"It probably makes a lot of sense, and it is something we are going to take a very serious look at."
No changes are impending for the Corpus team.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
