Frisco RoughRiders 2025 Opening Series Preview: Santos and Walcott Take Center Stage
This marks my 7th year covering the Frisco RoughRiders with The Prospect Times—time flies when you’re having fun! The RoughRiders are set to launch their 22nd season with a three-game series against the Astros’ Corpus Christi Hooks at Riders Field, running from Friday, April 4th to Sunday, April 6th.
Here’s your Frisco RoughRiders 2025 season preview to get you ready for the season!
The RoughRiders begin with three games, each packed with fan promotions.
On Friday, April 4th at 7:05 PM, Winston Santos takes the mound for Opening Day, with the 2025 Magnet Schedule from Avondale Dealerships and a Fireworks Friday display.
Saturday, April 5th at 7:05 PM includes the 2025 Magnet Schedule, a Pregame Team Autograph Session powered by Verizon 5G Home Internet, and Kids Run the Bases sponsored by Raising Cane’s.
The series concludes on Sunday, April 6th at 4:05 PM with the 2025 Magnet Schedule, Mascot Mania, and Kids Sunday Funday, also backed by Raising Cane’s.
Hooks’ Players to Watch
The Hooks bring some strong talent to Riders Field. RHP Ethan Pecko (No. 10 HOU by MLB), Houston’s 2024 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, struck out 125 batters across Low-A Fayetteville and Double-A Corpus Christi, holding opponents to a .219 average.
OF Luis Baez (No. 12 HOU by MLB) hit 21 home runs between High-A Asheville and Corpus Christi in 2024, ranking fourth among Minor Leaguers aged 20 or younger. He led the South Atlantic League with 67 RBI in just 92 games.
RHP Jose Fleury (No. 18 HOU by MLB) made 17 appearances and 9 starts with Corpus Christi, posting a 3.00 ERA and a .197 opposing average after returning from a May injury on July 3.
RoughRiders’ Top Prospects
SS Sebastian Walcott (No. 1 TEX by MLB) could be the fifth teenager since 2005 to start at shortstop on Opening Day in the Texas League, joining Fernando Tatis Jr., Adalberto Mondesi, Jurickson Profar, and Elvis Andrus. He earned 2024 High-A South Atlantic League All-Star honors.
RHP Winston Santos (No. 5 TEX by MLB) led the Texas system with 138 strikeouts last year, ranking fourth (minimum 100 innings) with a .221 opposing average. His 12-strikeout game in the Texas League Division Series ties for the most in a RoughRiders playoff game.
Outfielder Alejandro Osuna (No. 8 TEX by MLB) impressed in big league camp this spring, hitting .429/.523/.714/1.237 with 1 home run and 7 RBI. In 2024, he hit .292/.362/.507/.869 with 18 home runs and 61 RBI across Low-A Hickory and Frisco (note: Hickory is now the Rangers’ Low-A affiliate, while the Hub City Spartanburgers are High-A).
LHP Kohl Drake (No. 13 TEX by MLB) recorded 148 strikeouts in 2024 across Down East, Hickory, and Frisco—the eighth-most among Minor League southpaws and the most by a Rangers Minor Leaguer since Cody Buckel in 2012. His Frisco debut on April 18 included five starts, with a 1.13 ERA and 23 strikeouts in the regular and postseason.
SS Cam Cauley (No. 19 TEX by MLB) is one of six newcomers and two new position players on the roster. He’s stolen 101 bases since 2022, the most in the Rangers’ farm system. He’s looking to play 2nd base, 3rd base and center.
What’s Next?
With Winston Santos on the mound and a roster full of talent, the RoughRiders are ready for a big 2025. The opening series against the Hooks at Riders Field starts tomorrow, promising thrilling baseball.
After this three game home stand, the RoughRiders play a 6-game series against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals) from April 8th – April 13.
Follow The Prospect Times for updates on the Rangers’ farm system.