Frisco RoughRiders 2025 Media Day: Winston Santos Named Opening Day Starter

Frisco, Texas – Today was an exciting day at Riders Field as the Frisco RoughRiders held their 2025 media day, giving the press a chance to meet with manager Carlos Cardoza and a handful of players. From the announcement of the Opening Day starter to insights on top prospects, let’s break down the key highlights from the Frisco RoughRiders 2025 media day!

Winston Santos to Start on Opening Day

Manager Carlos Cardoza kicked things off with big news: Winston Santos will take the mound as the Opening Day starter on Friday, April 4th. The rest of the rotation is still being finalized, but Santos will lead the RoughRiders as they open their season, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting year in Double-A Frisco.

We have Winston Santos as the Rangers no. 9 prospect in our last updated top 15 prospect rankings.

Players in the Spotlight

The media had the opportunity to speak with Cardoza and several players: Sebastian Walcott, Cam Cauley, Mitch Bratt, and Kohl Drake. Each offered insights into their goals, offseason preparations, and what fans can expect this season.

Sebastian Walcott: The Rangers’ Top Prospect

The hot topic of the day was Sebastian Walcott, the Texas Rangers’ top prospect, who is starting the season in Double-A Frisco after a late-season promotion last year. Walcott didn’t miss a beat during his brief stint in Frisco, showing he wasn’t overmatched at the higher level. It’s impossible not to like this kid—he’s a fantastic baseball player with a great head on his shoulders.

When asked about being an entertaining player, Walcott shared: “I want to make every fan’s experience here worthwhile,” he said. “People think baseball is boring, and I’m here to show people it’s not.” He also spoke highly of Rangers star Corey Seager, noting his admiration for the veteran shortstop. 

Walcott’s ultimate goal? To help the Texas Rangers win another World Series Championship, even if it means playing a different position—though he drew the line at catcher.

Cardoza confirmed that Walcott will primarily play shortstop this season, giving fans plenty of chances to see his dynamic skills on display.

Every player we spoke with had nothing but high praise for Walcott, a testament to his impact both on and off the field.

Cam Cauley: Versatility and Speed

Next up was Cam Cauley, who is expected to play a lot of second base this season, with some time at third base and in center field as well. The Texas native is thrilled to be back in his home state, noting that his family will be able to attend more games this year.

Cauley didn’t focus on anything specific during the offseason, instead emphasizing the importance of the little things. “Doing the little things right,” he said, was his mantra. He tinkered with his hitting approach, though he didn’t get into specifics, but noted that the adjustments helped him significantly. During spring training, he observed how veterans came in every day with a clear mission, a mindset he’s adopting for the season. With plus speed (27 stolen bases last season) and some power (15 home runs), Cauley is definitely one to watch in 2025.

Mitch Bratt: A Lefty with a Refined Approach

Mitch Bratt, one of the few left-handers in the Texas Rangers’ system, expressed his excitement to get the season underway. When asked about the organization’s progress in developing pitchers, he highlighted their balanced approach: “There’s a good balance between technology and what your eyes tell you, but at the end of the day, it’s still 60 feet and 6 inches.” Bratt worked on shortening his delivery this offseason, reducing moving parts, which has led to an increase in his velocity.

His repertoire includes a fastball, cutter, changeup, slider, and curveball, making him a versatile pitcher to watch this season.

Kohl Drake: Rising Prospect with a New Pitch

Kohl Drake, ranked No. 7 on our most recent top 15 Texas Rangers prospect rankings—higher than any other publication—shared his offseason focus. He worked on throwing his changeup to left-handed batters to avoid limiting himself to just three pitches against them. This addition should make him even more effective in 2025.

Drake’s repertoire consists of a fastball, changeup, curveball, and cutter, giving him a solid mix to keep hitters off balance.

Looking Ahead

With Winston Santos set to take the mound on Opening Day and prospects like Sebastian Walcott, Cam Cauley, Mitch Bratt, and Kohl Drake ready to make their mark, the Frisco RoughRiders are gearing up for an exciting 2025 season. 

Stay tuned to The Prospect Times for all the latest updates on the Rangers’ farm system.