The Frisco RoughRiders capped off an incredible regular season with a 2-0 victory over the Amarillo Sod Poodles (Diamondbacks) on Sunday September 15th, finishing with a record of 84-54. While they were just one win shy of tying the franchise’s all-time win record set in 2007, this season will still go down in the books for its historic moments.
Setting New Franchise Records
The RoughRiders set a new franchise record with a .609 winning percentage, marking the highest in team history. Despite this achievement, they fell just one win short of tying the all-time record for victories, set in 2007 with 85 wins and a .607 percentage. Back then, teams played two more games, but the schedule changed to 138 games for Double-A teams starting in 2022.
The pitching staff was a key reason for Frisco’s success this year. They posted a collective ERA of 3.67, a significant drop from last year’s 4.98. That 3.67 ERA is the lowest team ERA since 2014 (3.39). The arms on this team were stellar, led by standout performances from Emiliano Teodo, Dane Acker, Kumar Rocker, and Josh Stephan, among others. They also improved in control, lowering their walks from 606 in 2023 to 544 this season.
Reliever Andy Rodriguez was particularly solid, finishing with a 3.17 ERA over 28 appearances, including two starts. Meanwhile, closer Tyler Owens recorded 8 saves before being traded to Detroit as part of the deal that brought catcher Carson Kelly to the Rangers.
Offensive Consistency
While power numbers were down slightly, the RoughRiders still posted nearly identical home run totals from last season, hitting 117 in 2024 compared to 118 the year before. However, the team’s RBI total saw a more significant drop, tallying 605 compared to 667 in 2023.
Here’s a look at the RoughRiders’ offensive leaders for 2024:
- Home Runs: Abimelec Ortiz (18)
- RBI: Josh Hatcher (68)
- Doubles: Cody Freeman (33)
- Triples: Maximo Acosta, Frainyer Chavez, Josh Hatcher, Alejandro Osuna, Keyber Rodriguez (3)
- Walks: Aaron Zavala (63)
- Stolen Bases: Maximo Acosta (26)
Pitching Leaders
- Strikeouts: Emiliano Teodo (110)
- ERA: Kumar Rocker (0.46, for pitchers with over 15 innings). Others notable: Robby Ahlstrom (1.85), Emiliano Teodo (1.98)
- Saves: Tyler Owens (8)
Record-Breaking Crowds
Frisco’s July 4th matchup against the Arkansas Travelers drew 12,051 fans, the second-largest crowd in franchise history. In total, the RoughRiders hosted five games with crowds exceeding 10,000 fans throughout the season, showcasing their growing popularity.
15 Players Made their MLB Debut
Adding to the excitement, 15 current or former RoughRiders players made their MLB debut this season, further highlighting the organization’s development success. As the RoughRiders prepare for the playoffs, the franchise’s contributions to both the Rangers and Minor League Baseball are undeniable.
The Road Ahead: Postseason Push
Frisco’s strong season saw them win the first-half with a 44-25 record (.638), earning an automatic berth in the postseason. They followed that with a solid second half, going 40-29 (.580). Now, the RoughRiders are set to begin their playoff run, aiming to win their third Texas League Championship in franchise history.
The journey starts with a best-of-three series against the Midland RockHounds, beginning tomorrow. After game one in Midland, the RoughRiders will return to Riders Field for game two on Thursday, September 19th. If needed, a decisive game three will be played on September 20th, with all eyes on Frisco’s quest for postseason glory.
RHP Winston Santos is scheduled to start game one for the RoughRiders with LHP Kohl Drake set to start game two in Frisco.
