The Texas Rangers have announced their April players of the month, showcasing outstanding performances across their minor league affiliates.
Player of the Month
Taking the spotlight as the Player of the Month is Josh Hatcher, an outfielder for the AA Frisco RoughRiders. The 25-year-old standout, drafted in the 10th round from Kennesaw State University, Georgia, displayed an impressive .373/.403/.576/.979 slash line with 3 home runs, 16 RBIs, and 11 runs scored.
Hatcher’s stellar .373 batting average ranks 3rd in the Texas League, accompanied by 8th place for RBIs and 6th place for both slugging percentage and OPS.
Starting Pitcher of the Month
Winston Santos, a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic, claimed the title of Starting Pitcher of the Month while representing High A Hickory. Signed as a Free Agent in July 2019, Santos showcased his dominance with a remarkable 3-1 record, boasting a minuscule 0.44 ERA over 20 innings across 4 starts.
His stellar performance included 10 hits, 1 run, 7 walks, and an impressive 31 strikeouts, with a batting average against of .139 and a WHIP of 0.82. Santos tops the South Atlantic League charts, leading in ERA, wins, and strikeout percentage, and ranking among the top for strikeouts per 9 innings, batting average against, and WHIP.
Reliever of the Month
High A Hickory also produced the Reliever of the Month in the form of Jackson Kelly, a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher from Marietta, Georgia.
Selected in the 12th round from Mercer University in 2022, Kelly showcased his prowess in 6 relief appearances, tallying a 2.45 ERA over 11 innings. He limited opponents to just 3 hits and 3 runs while issuing 5 walks and striking out 14 batters. Kelly held hitters to an impressive .086 batting average and boasted a WHIP of 0.73.
Defender of the Month
Rounding out the accolades is Marcus Smith, recognized as the Defender of the Month for his impeccable performance with Low A Down East. Acquired by Texas in a 2020 trade with Oakland, the 23-year-old outfielder demonstrated defensive excellence with 0 errors in 23 games and 21 starts. Smith recorded 44 putouts and contributed 2 outfield assists, solidifying his reputation as a reliable defender.
Congratulations to Josh Hatcher, Winston Santos, Jackson Kelly, and Marcus Smith for their outstanding performances in April. We look forward to witnessing their continued success on their journey to the big leagues.
