Blake Beavan, the Texas Rangers’ first choice in the 2007 draft, has been promoted from Class A Bakersfield to AA Frisco.
The 20 year-old will likely make his first start for the RoughRiders on Monday in Midland. His first home start, at Dr. Pepper Park, will likely fall next Saturday, June 20.
Beavan was 5-4 with a 4.30 ERA in twelve appearances for Bakersfield. He has recorded seven quality starts in his last seven tries, including a complete game shutout in which he surrendered only four hits.
Over this span, Beavan has allowed fourteen runs over 49 1/3 innings; he is 5-0, with a 2.55 ERA, leaving little doubt surrounding the motivation for his promotion.
The right-hander was selected first overall by Texas out of Irving High School in 2007.
Texas also signed veteran pitcher Orlando Hernandez on Thursday, sending him to AAA Oklahoma. Manager Ron Washington said he expects “El Duque” to be in Arlington some time in the near future.
Hernandez’ age is a point of controversy to a degree; he is listed as being born as early as 1965 and 1969, leaving his true age somewhere between 40 and 44 years-old.
Hernandez, a Cuban defector and former World Series Champion (White Sox, 2005), last pitched in the Major Leagues for the Mets in 2007, going 9-5 with a 3.72 ERA.
