Expecting big things
Rangers' top pitching prospect Hurley shows off stuff in season opener
Rangers' top pitching prospect Hurley shows off stuff in season opener

By Matt Patterson

Published: April 4, 2008

The Texas Rangers are expecting big things from right-handed pitching prospect Eric Hurley. In the Oklahoma RedHawks' 4-3, extra-innings season opening win over Memphis at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark on Thursday night, Hurley showed signs he's capable of delivering the goods.

The 6-foot-4 Hurley pitched five innings. He allowed seven hits and three earned runs. He struck out seven but didn't factor into the decision.

All things considered, he was satisfied with his first trip to the mound this season.

"It felt good,” Hurley said."A couple of innings, I made some good adjustments,” Hurley said. "In the third, I made an adjustment a little bit too late. Other than that, I located my fastball pretty well. There were a couple of negatives and positives out of the outing. It's the first one, and you learn from it.”

Hurley is considered the Rangers' top pitching prospect. He was originally part of a group of prospects, including Edinson Volquez, Thomas Diamond and John Danks, the organization had hoped would form its rotation of the future.

But their futures weren't aligned. Volquez shot through the minors, making 21 appearances for Oklahoma City in 2006. He is now Cincinnati's fifth starter after being part of a trade for outfielder Josh Hamilton. Diamond is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Danks was traded to the White Sox.

Hurley doesn't worry about those who came before him.

Some in baseball circles believe Volquez was rushed too quickly, and that might have led to several demotions.

Hurley, 22, doesn't see a rapid rise as a drawback.

"He dominated out of Triple-A,” Hurley said of Volquez. "He made the team out of spring training this year. He got the job. I don't think he was so rushed. It's that mental preparation, and he got it together this year.”

Hurley is focusing on here and now. He spent most of last season in Frisco, Texas, where he went 7-2. Several of Hurley's pitches topped the 93 mph mark Thursday night against Memphis.

"Patience is a mental issue here,” Hurley said. "You have to know every fifth day you're throwing in Triple-A. It's a mental preparation as much it is a physical preparation. Every fifth day I'm trying to prepare myself to throw at this level.”

RedHawks manager Bobby Jones said how long Hurley sticks around is an unknown. Hurley was limited to 100 pitches on a chilly Thursday night before 7,249 fans. He threw 98 pitches, 61 going for strikes.

"It depends on how they play up there and how he plays down here,” Jones said. "We got five (innings) out of him tonight. His pitch count got a little up there. I'd like to get a little more out of him. It's just a matter of how he progresses.”

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