Many Texas Rangers fans are generally skeptical with regards to any reports, based on fact or otherwise, that hint at any real hope; this isn’t all that irrational (though it can be, in some cases).
This is based in a 37 year history with not much to show for it. Texas is the oldest franchise in any of the four major American sports to never have reached its league’s championship. This will, inevitably, lead to some frustration.
However, when I say that there is a very real, and very promising youth movement occurring within the club, I do so with complete cognizance of these fruitless, and frustrating past seasons; even, maybe especially, those in which we were promised something better.
Perhaps this is misguided enthusiasm; but the fact that Texas has the best farm system in baseball and, ostensibly, are not going to part ways with their prospects is certainly noteworthy.
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And on Wednesday night, the youth movement got a little bit closer to a reality, with the debut of “Wonderboy,” Derek Holland. The 22 year-old came in with bases loaded in the seventh, surrendered a run (charged to Feldman) but looked generally impressive; that is, the hype seems to be true.
Holland was called up last week, in what some called a panic move, although the Texas brass insisted that they believed him to be ready.
They may have been right. Holland went 2 1/3 innings on Wednesday, surrendering three hits, no walks and striking out two, including the perpetually tough Vernon Wells. His fastball hovered around 94 MPH, and he threw a huge, sweeping slider with a hard bite.
Basically, the kid looked good.
Holland is the first of a slew of talented young pitchers in Texas’ farm system to see Major League action, a group including Neftai Feliz and Irving-native Blake Beavan.
With the debut of Holland, it seems that the future is upon us. I'm (almost) sure this time.
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