Heath Criswell
Lifelong Rangers fan with a passion for the farm system. When I’m not covering minor league baseball, I’m enjoying time with my family and exploring the Rangers' next big stars.
Mitch Bratt dominating the Texas League
On July 5th, Mitch Bratt took the mound for the Frisco RoughRiders against the Arkansas Travelers and delivered another gem in his dominant 2025 campaign. The left-hander tossed six quality innings, allowing just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight. This marked his sixth quality start of the season, adding to a resume that’s quietly becoming one of the best in the Texas League. The RoughRiders secured a 6-1 win, but Bratt’s performance deserves the spotlight it hasn’t full
RoughRiders Draw Record Crowd but Fall 8-5 to Travelers
Baseball games around July 4th typically draw very large crowds, and tonight, Thursday, July 3, 2025, was no exception. An impressive 12,081 fans showed up at Riders Field, marking the largest crowd in Frisco RoughRiders franchise history. That beats the previous record set on Dude Perfect Night by 14 fans. Despite the electric vibe, the RoughRiders couldn’t pull off the win, falling 8-5 to the Travelers. Langford Homers in Rehab Start Outfielder Wyatt Langford, currently on an MLB rehab ass
RoughRiders Rally for 7-6 Win Over Travelers
The Frisco RoughRiders came from behind to defeat the Arkansas Travelers 7-6 on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Riders Field, turning a deficit into a dramatic victory that improved their record to 41-35. The team showcased resilience in this Texas League showdown, thrilling fans with their late-game heroics. Pitching Holds Firm for the Win Ryan Lobus got the start and pitched 2 innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts, throwing 37 of 27 strikes. Josh Mollerus earned the wi
Keith Jones II Stars in RoughRiders Debut
The Frisco RoughRiders (40-35) welcomed the Arkansas Travelers to town for 3-games on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, only to fall 6-5 in 10 innings at Riders Field. This series continues with 3 more games in Arkansas starting on the 4th of July, but the night belonged to a RoughRiders debutant — Keith Jones II — who made an immediate impact, though it wasn’t enough to secure the win. Jones II Shines in Double-A Debut Keith Jones II, recently promoted from the Hub City Spartanburgers where he led in
Rangers Sign RHP Masahiro Fukuda as International Free Agent
On Monday, June 30, 2025, the Texas Rangers signed 23-year-old right-handed pitcher Masahiro Fukuda, a standout from Japan’s independent leagues, as reported by Francys Romero. Trained by the Shima Baseball Academy, Fukuda brings a diverse arsenal to the Rangers’ farm system. While the specifics of the deal remain unknown, Fukuda’s official MLB.com player profile confirms it as a minor-league contract, with the Rangers assigning him to DSL Rangers Blue, one of their two Dominican Summer League
Sebastian Walcott Named to 2025 All-Star Futures Game
On Monday, June 30, 2025, Major League Baseball announced that Frisco RoughRiders shortstop Sebastian Walcott, the Texas Rangers’ No. 1 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 9 overall prospect, was selected to the 2025 All-Star Futures Game. The showcase, set for Saturday, July 12, at 3:00 p.m. CT at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, highlights the best prospects in Minor League Baseball, and Walcott’s return to the event—after starting at shortstop in the 2024 Futures Game and participating in the in
RoughRiders Drop Heartbreaker on Throwback Night
On a vibrant Throwback Night at Riders Field, graced by the presence of former Rangers/RoughRiders players Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison, and Craig Gentry, the Frisco RoughRiders (40-34, 2-4 second half) fell 8-7 to the Tulsa Drillers in the series finale on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Supak Shines, Bullpen Stumbles RHP Trey Supak delivered a quality start, his third of the season, keeping Frisco in control early: * 6 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 8 SO, 91/62 strikes * June ERA: 2.28 (3rd in Texas League,
RoughRiders Fall 6-1 to Drillers
The Frisco RoughRiders (40-33, 2-3 second half) fell 6-1 to the Tulsa Drillers on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Riders Field, struggling to keep pace in the fifth game of a six-game series. Bratt Battles Despite Early Deficit LHP Mitch Bratt (4-1, 2.65 ERA) went deeper than expected for the RoughRiders after the early going. The Drillers struck early with a 3-run HR by Kendall Simmons (2nd) in the 1st and a solo HR by John Rhodes (5th) in the 2nd, building a 4-0 lead. Bratt’s final line: * 5.
Kohl Drake Promoted to Triple-A Round Rock
Left-hander Kohl Drake, a Wylie High School alum and a rising pitching prospect in the Texas Rangers’ farm system, has earned a promotion to Triple-A Round Rock, as first reported by Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The soon to be 25-year-old, selected in the 11th round of the 2022 draft, leaves Double-A Frisco after 17 starts combined last season and this season. Dominant Run at Double-A Drake’s performance with the Frisco RoughRiders over the past two seasons has been nothing short o
RoughRiders Blanked 11-0 by Drillers, Slip to 2-2 in Second Half
The Frisco RoughRiders (40-32, 2-2 second half) hit a roadblock on Friday, June 27, 2025, falling 11-0 to the Tulsa Drillers at Riders Field, marking the third time they have been shutout this season. In the fourth game of a six-game series, Frisco’s offense struggled, scraping together just 4 hits against a commanding performance by the Drillers pitching staff. On the mound RHP David Davalillo was originally slotted to start this game but he was placed on the Development List for undisclose