The Texas Rangers made the Major League Baseball Playoffs for the 1st time in ten years and eventually lost to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series this past 2010. The Rangers were the feel good story of the year in sports as American League MVP, Josh Hamilton, and manager Ron Washington rebounded from off-field drug problems. The Rangers will again be a tough matchup in the American League West with the additions of 3rd basemen Adrian Beltre, former Cy Young winning pitcher Brandon Webb, and catchers Yorvit Torrealba and Mike Napoli.
Two former Northwoods League players, Mark Lowe and Doug Deeds, are expected to contribute at the Major League level while Jimmy Reyes looks to continue his impressive 2010 Minor League season.
Mark Lowe was a member of the Wisconsin Woodchucks in 2002 and 2003 before being drafted in the 5th round of the 2004 MLB Draft. Lowe has spent the past five seasons bouncing between Minor and Major League baseball. The 6’3’’ right handed pitcher has a career 5-15 Major League record with a 4.09 earned run average.
This past season Lowe struggled with various back injuries, but made an appearance with the Rangers in the World Series. Lowe replaced Clay Rapada on the World Series roster and saw time in game one of the Giants/Rangers matchup. The Houston native is currently 1-1 in seven appearances this Spring Training in Surprise, Arizona.
Doug Deeds played in Mankato in 2001 alongside New York Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson. The former Minnesota Twins draft pick is having a great Spring Training for the 10-13 Rangers of the Cactus League. Deeds is currently hitting .314 with seven RBI’s in 35 at-bats.
The Columbus, OH native has spent nine seasons in the Minor Leagues and has played the past four years in Triple-A. The outfielder has a career .296 MiLB batting average with 85 home runs, 226 doubles, 417 RBI’s, and only 25 errors.
Jimmy Reyes, former Mankato MoonDog, had a very steady 2010 season for the Spokane Indians (Single-A) of the Northwest League. Reyes finished the season with a 2-0 record in 18 games with an impressive 2.36 ERA. The Miami native also had outstanding strikeout numbers as he fanned 35 batters in only 26.2 innings. The former Elon University left handed pitcher was a member of the 2008 NWL All-Star game.
Watch the 2010 American League Champion Texas Rangers as they open play at home versus the 2011 World Series favorite Boston Red Sox on Friday, April 1st.
