Former RoughRiders Andrew Faulkner & Alec Asher Headed to the Big Leagues
August 28, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release
FRISCO, TEXAS (AUGUST 28, 2015) - The Texas Rangers announced today that the club has purchased the contract of LHP Andrew Faulkner from Triple-A Round Rock. Additionally, another 2015 RoughRider, Alec Asher, is expected to make his major league debut for the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. Faulkner and Asher become the 136th and 137th former RoughRiders to earn a promotion to the Major Leagues.
Faulkner, 22, began the season in Frisco's rotation, starting 15 games before a shift to the bullpen on July 10. This season, he is 7-4 with a 3.86 ERA, 103 strikeouts and 48 walks in 100.1 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. Since transitioning to the bullpen, the left-hander allowed one run, three hits, and struck out 15 in 13.2 innings and held opponents to a .067 batting average. In 35 games (21 starts) as a RoughRider over two seasons, the South Carolina native was 9-8 with a 4.39 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 123 innings. The southpaw tossed eight scoreless innings for the Express prior to his promotion to Arlington. Faulkner owns a career record of 30-21 with a 3.44 ERA in 124 games.
Faulkner will join former Riders Luke Jackson, Ryan Strausborger, Joey Gallo, Hanser Alberto, Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez and Keone Kela as players who all made their major league debuts with the Rangers this season.
Asher, 23, compiled a 12-15 record with a 3.84 ERA in parts of two different years with the RoughRiders. The right-hander was part of the blockbuster trade with the Phillies organization in July for LHP Cole Hamels. The fourth-year pro is 28-31 with a 3.53 ERA in 98 career games. He is a two-time All-Star, including a 2014 Mid-Season Texas League selection. His 122 strikeouts in 2014 rated the fifth most among all Texas farmhands and his 0.93 WHIP ranked sixth among all Double-A pitchers. The Floridian had been dominating lately, allowing just two runs over his last 20 innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Nicknamed "The Big Cat," Asher joins former Riders Jerad Eickhoff and Odubel Herrera to make their major league debuts with the Phillies this season. Additionally, Wilfredo Boscan (Pirates) also made the majors for the first time in 2015.
The RoughRiders conclude their series with the San Antonio Missions at 7:05 p.m. tonight. The team has just four home games remaining this season. For tickets to see the future stars of the Texas Rangers, fans can call (972) 731-9200, e-mail Info@RidersBaseball.com or visit www.RidersBaseball.com. Additional updates and promotional information is available via the RoughRiders' Facebook, Twitter and websites.
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