Halle Barham
Off to an 18-6 start, the Frisco RoughRiders are atop of the Texas League with a roster filled with top prospects in the Texas Rangers system.
A local minor league team is making major league waves with their hot start to the season. The Frisco RoughRiders, who play at the Dr Pepper Ballpark, are off to a 18-6 start, and currently have the best record in the Texas League. Led by key prospects Ronald Guzman, Lewis Brinson, and Ryan Cordell, the Texas Rangers affiliate hopes to continue its hot start.
“I feel like we’re in a good place right now,” Guzman said. “This is a good team. My expectations are to keep doing what we’re doing. I know we will go far with the way we’ve been playing.”
For many of the players, goals not only include team success, but individual success, with many players on the team hoping to impress major league scouts for a potential call up.
“Everyone’s goal is to make it into the big leagues,” centerfielder Zach Cone said. “You gotta start off with being healthy and consistent. The plan is to get there.”
However, for players such as Guzman, who was ranked 23rd in a list of the top Ranger prospects, there may be an added pressure to do well. Guzman says the off-field talk does not distract him, and that he is focused on leading the RoughRiders to the playoffs.
“That’s more of what people say,” Guzman said. “I just honestly come over here and give my hundred percent for the team and don’t think about that stuff. I’m just one more teammate, one more guy and I treat everyone the same. I know I get more chances and stuff, but I just want to help the team.”
The 13-year-old ballpark, which made national headlines with its announcement there would soon be a lazy river, has made other renovations. Along with the lazy river, the ballpark has added new netting to protect more fans.
“This is the best stadium I’ve played on, outside of the big leagues,” Guzman said. “It’s a great place. You can feel the professionalism. It’s a great place to play and I’m glad I’m here.”
For Cone, the atmosphere the fans create at the stadium is what makes the stadium different.
“The fans help a lot,” Cone said. “A good, home fanbase is nice. The playing surface is awesome and everything but it’s a lot of fun to come home to all the fans.”