Former Longhorn Corey Knebel to Join Express
Published on July 25, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - Late Wednesday night, the Texas Rangers announced that they had traded closer Joakim Soria to the Detroit Tigers for right-handed pitchers Corey Knebel and Jake Thompson. Knebel, a former first-round draft pick out of the University of Texas who was on Detroit's active roster, has been assigned to the Round Rock Express.
Knebel (pronounced kuh-NAY-buhl), 22, posted a 1.26 ERA (9 ER/64.1 IP) with 84 strikeouts in 56 relief appearances in Detroit's farm system over the last two seasons to earn his first big league promotion. Knebel made his major league debut on May 24 against the Rangers and in eight appearances with the Tigers sported a 6.23 ERA (6 ER/8.2 IP) and 11 strikeouts.
The Denton, Texas native was selected by the Tigers with the 39th overall pick in the 2013 first-year player draft. In three years at Texas, Knebel pitched in 91 games, going 10-11 for his collegiate career with 37 saves and a 2.06 ERA (39 ER/170.0 IP). He became the Longhorn's closer in his first season in Austin and tied Huston Street's school record for saves in a single season with 19, earning First Team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 Conference honors.
Knebel will take the place of RHP Jerome Williams on Round Rock's roster, as the Rangers have purchased the right-hander's contract. In two starts with the Express, Williams went 0-1 with a 6.10 ERA (7 ER/10.1 IP) and three strikeouts.
Texas signed the 15-year veteran to a minor league deal on July 14 after he was released by the Houston Astros a week earlier. In 26 relief appearances with Houston, Williams was 1-4 with a 6.04 ERA (32 ER/47.2 IP).
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