Bonilla Makes Franchise History

We'd heard all year long about a few of the Texas Rangers starting pitching prospects.

There's Alex "Chi-Chi" Gonzalez and Jake Thompson, who was acquired from Detroit for Joakim Soria, along with Luke Jackson. Those are just a few names we've been hearing about in terms of pitching prospects in the Rangers' farm system in this season where we've heard a lot about the farm system.

But we never really heard much about Lisalverto Bonilla, and with fair reason. He wasn't great for Triple-A Round Rock this year, and he was downright awful for them last season. He was called up as part of September roster expansion on Sept. 2, made two relief appearances and then Scott Baker got hurt, opening up a rotation spot.

Bonilla was inserted into the rotation, and the rest has been history, as Bonilla made his final appearance of the season on Wednesday night against Houston and picked up his third win in as many career starts. He's now the first player in franchise history to win his first three career starts after tossing six shutout innings on 94 pitches. He allowed just four hits, struck out a career-high seven batters and walked just two to correct the issue with his first two starts when he was a bit wild.

A month ago, Bonilla's name wouldn't have even been on the radar for possible 2015 roster pieces, but now he's pitched his way into heavy consideration for something, even if it is just a bullpen spot.

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