Rangers RHP Neftali Feliz, perhaps the minors' hardest thrower and one of the best pitching prospects in the game, was just promoted to Texas. He didn't waste any time making a favorable first impression. Feliz worked 2 scoreless innings of relief (in a 1-0 game, no less), struck out 4, and hit triple digits on the radar gun against the A's tonight. Nothing like a flawless debut to raise expectations. While I regard first baseman Justin Smoak as the organization's top prospect, Feliz has sky-high potential. If he doesn't wind up as a top-of-the-rotation starter, he could easily take his high-octane stuff to the bullpen permanently and become an excellent closer. In other news, Orioles LHP Brian Matusz has also been called up to the majors. He doesn't have experience above Double-A, but Matusz shouldn't be too overmatched; he's extremely polished. I like him more than fellow O's hurler Chris Tillman, who was also recently promoted to Baltimore. It isn't even September yet, but tons of prospects have been getting the call. Along with those guys, Astros RHP Bud Norris, Padres RHP Mat Latos, Red Sox OF Josh Reddick, and more are now up in the MLB.
Neftali Feliz
*Photo courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
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