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Big Thunder
Last Monday night, Ranger rookie Tommy “Big Game” Hunter held the Tigers to a lone run over seven innings, a Curtis Granderson leadoff home run on the second pitch of the game, as Texas beat Detroit 5-2. It was the Rangers’ first win in seven tries this season against the Detroiters, and it was Hunter’s third win and longest outing of the year.
Texas has struggled for ages trying to develop starting pitching, much to the frustration of Ranger fans. The team hasn’t shown the patience to let young pitchers develop, often trading prospects to get supposedly a proven commodity at the big league level. More often than not the moves have backfired, as in the case of Adam Eton, who was a bust for Texas, while Chris Young and Adrian Gonzalez, for whom he was traded, have gone on to make an All-Star team. To see Hunter blossoming is a sight for sore Ranger fan eyes.
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Hunter started the season under the radar screen in terms of the Ranger pecking order of pitching prospects, which ultimately has worked in his favor. Hunter, who pitched at Alabama, was a supplemental first round pick in the 2007 draft, and was just the second player in that draft to appear in a Major League game, when injuries pressed him into three unsuccessful Major League starts in 2008. His record was 0-2 with a 16.36 ERA, but the experience has proven invaluable. However, he was still so far down the line in Ranger thinking that he began 2009 at AA Frisco, while more highly touted prospects Derrick Holland and Neftali Feliz were in AAA Oklahoma City’s rotation.
Hunter’s record at Frisco was 1-0 in five appearances, three of which were starts. He was promoted to AAA Oklahoma City on May 2, and was 3-2 with a 3.83 ERA in six starts. On May 29, he was summoned to Arlington to pitch game one of a Ranger doubleheader, and he pitched well, going into the sixth inning, leaving with just a run in and two men on base. Unfortunately, he took a no-decision when those two scored to tie the game, which the Rangers ultimately won. He was optioned back to Oklahoma City before the second game began.
An injury brought him back to Arlington for a start about a month later. He faced San Diego, pitching even better than in his first start, but taking a loss when the Rangers were shutout. In that game, he went into the seventh inning, allowing two earned runs. The San Diego start was expected to again be a one-shot appearance on the roster, but he pitched so well and other starters ailed, so he stayed to pitch again on July 3, which was his 23 rd birthday. That night, he got one of the best birthday presents ever - his first Major League win, beating Tampa Bay 3-1.
Last week, he went toe-to-toe with Josh Beckett and came out the winner. He tossed six innings, allowing just a Nick Green home run, as Texas beat Beckett and the Red Sox 4-2. After last Monday’s performance, which ran Hunter’s record to 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA, he’s entrenched in the Ranger rotation for the foreseeable future.
On a radio interview this week, Hunter admitted his nickname at Alabama was “Big Game”. However, C. J. Wilson told the local audience after Hunter beat Boston, that his teammates call him “Big Thunder”. Big Thunder Hunter has shown command of four pitches, and the poise to pitch at the big league level. He credits new Ranger pitching coach Mike Maddux for helping him develop a cut fastball in spring training, which has completed his repertoire. Hunter’s path to the Majors points up how badly Texas has mismanaged their top two prospects – Holland and Feliz. Holland has been with the big club for most of the season, yo-yoing between the rotation and bullpen. His last two appearances have been starts in which he didn’t last even five innings. In typical Texas fashion, Ranger management has wearied of Feliz not being able to develop his secondary pitches, and have moved him to the bullpen. Hunter has moved from far behind to far ahead of both of them in just four months.
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Texas is hanging with Los Angeles in the A. L. West race, despite an uncharacteristic erratic and floundering offense. The only reason they are in the race is their pitching. The Rangers’ top two starters are struggling. Vicente Padilla has missed his last two starts with various ailments including swine flu, while Kevin Millwood came out of his last start after just two innings with a strained gluteus muscle and may not be able to make his next start as scheduled. Fortunately, Hunter is as hot as any starter in the Ranger rotation, and has filled the Millwood/Padilla void to keep Texas in the race.
By: Richard W. Humphrey
MLBcenter.com Texas Rangers Correspondent
> View all of the 2009 MLB team previews from Pro Baseball Fans
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