The Rangers announced they’ve recalled right-hander A.J. Alexy to start this evening’s game against the Rockies. It’ll be the 23-year-old’s major league debut. Alexy was already added to the 40-man roster last offseason to keep him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft.
An eleventh-round pick of the Dodgers out of a Pennsylvania high school in 2016, Alexy spent the first year of his career in the Los Angeles system. The Dodgers included him as part of a three-player package to land Yu Darvish at the 2017 trade deadline. Alexy pitched very well at Low-A the following season, but he missed much of 2019 to injury and obviously couldn’t log any minor league action last year.
Despite missing almost two full seasons, Alexy hasn’t shown much sign of rust this year. He’s split the 2021 campaign between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, pitching to a 1.66 ERA over 65 innings. Along the way, Alexy has struck out a whopping 29.8% of batters faced, although he’s partially offset that by issuing walks at a lofty 10.6% clip.
Alexy has been an inconsistent strike-thrower throughout his career. Both Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs and Baseball America suggest he’s likely to wind up in a bullpen role someday because of those control issues. Nevertheless, both outlets slotted him among the back half of the Rangers’ top 30 prospects thanks to the quality of his arsenal. Each of FanGraphs and BA suggest Alexy has a pair of plus offerings: a mid-high 90s fastball and a sharp 12-6 curveball, in addition to a passable changeup that serves as his third pitch.
The Rangers have almost no certainty in their starting rotation at the moment. Each of Spencer Howard, Dane Dunning and Mike Foltynewicz are on the COVID-19 injured list, forcing Texas to turn to a series of rookies in their place. Alexy becomes the third Rangers starter to make his MLB debut within the past week, joining Jake Latz and Glenn Otto. Amidst a larger-scale retooling effort, Texas figures to give continued chances to younger players over the season’s final five weeks as they look ahead to 2022.
Latz, however, has been returned to Round Rock after one appearance. Because he was selected as a COVID replacement, he needn’t be exposed to waivers to be removed from the 40-man roster. Latz will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter if he’s not re-selected to the big league roster before November.
Shout out to Scott Tenorman for providing A.J.’s beard
*verdugo
Always stealin me lucky charms !
Alexy is the prize from the Darvish trade. Willie Calhoun is a mediocre DH
We knew this before he was traded. Tweener with big bat and high strike out totals in minors. Only daniels would be fleeced in this fashion. Preller was the brains behind texas success from 09’-13’
If my memory serves they were discussing Busch in that trade originally, kind of wish that had happened. AJ was good today though. That was a rental also wasen’t it? Not sure if one year of Darvish was worth all that much.
He was definitely going to be a DH but the high strikeout comment is incorrect. He’s put the ball in play and walks almost as much as strikes out with the exception of last year which was an anomaly for almost everyone except a couple players. I think for 3 months of Darvish to get 2 big leaguers out of it and not have a very small chance with a compensation pick is a deal you make every time. Obviously everyone develops different and each trade is different but this seems to be a decent return. Though I have been disappointed that Willie couldn’t stay healthy I think his time in Texas is up after the year.
The only good player rangers got in the trade. Daniels getting fleeced yet again
Amish?
Alexy was part of that stacked 2016 Dodgers draft class.
Will Smith, Dustin May, Gavin Lux, Tony Gonsolin, Mitch White, DJ Peters, Luke Raley, Andre Scrubb, Jordan Sheffield, and Zach Mckinstry in the 33rd round.
All made the majors in the 5 years since.
So much for the Dodgers buying their championship argument.
They have an eye for talent and developing them.
Good luck to AJ.
Ironically two of those guys are in the Rangers lineup today.
The Texas Dodgers, Dennis Santana and Josh Sborz both LA boys too
Haha well they are pretty good, why not copy them.
Hey Pinocchio, where do you think you’re going
Never did understand why they took Willie in that trade. Even Worse trade was the trade with philly this year, flippin terrible
I suspect that Willie was the best player offered? It’s not like a team opens their minor league roster and says “take your pick” haha! Why was the Gibson trade so bad? I don’t think that trade has anything to do with this year. If Howard sticks in the rotation I am fine with that trade.
JD gOt fLeEcEd
If Alexy sticks in the rotation this trade is a win for the Rangers. If he sticks in the bullpen it’s a wash.
It’s not an L because Darvish would have walked for free and the Rangers have hit on one first rounder in the last decade.
I can’t for the life of me understand how Kip Fagg still has a job… that is more surprising then JD honestly.
Agreed. Whiff in the first round every single year.
There are plenty of decisions to rip JD about but the Darvish trade isn’t really one of them.
I always get irked at people who rant and yell about JD becasue they usually end up sounding pretty hysterical. But the truth is I really agree with you and I would be fine if the Rangers got away from JD. It has been a long 5 years, I am ready to be done with the development problems and I am tired of missing on draft picks.
100% true and so good I had to shout it out on Twitter @firejondaniels
Taking a break from churning butter. Hope Brothers Jebediah and Ezekiel don’t mind
I am in full agreement that JD should have been gone years ago. That being said the Darvish trade is not a bad one if Alexy can pitch as he did last night consistently. Otto looked great the other night as well, so though I still believe they should have gotten much more that may wind up being ok as well. The jury is still out on Philly trade for Howard, so will reserve judgement on that one for now. The last three drafts have not been bad. I think Foscue is developing nicely, Jung is a huge part of the future, and I have seen nothing yet that leads me to believe Leiter will be anything other than what we hope he is.. It also looks like Peters is starting to find a groove, so he may turn out to be something special, who knows.
His dad is Mose Schrute and his mom is the scarecrow.