BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State alum Jeffrey Springs made his Triple A debut Saturday for the Round Rock Express of the Pacific Coast League and struck out three of the eight hitters he faced in 2.1 innings of hitless, scoreless relief.
The second-youngest of 15 pitchers who received non-roster invites to the Texas Rangers' big league camp during spring training, Springs was promoted this weekend from the Double A Frisco RoughRiders.
Currently in his third full season as a professional after being drafted out of App State in 2015, Springs had 68 strikeouts in 37.1 innings while compiling a 3-2 record over 20 appearances this year for Frisco. He had five difficult outings in those 20 appearances, but he allowed one run and gave up 19 hits over his other 29.1 innings.
MLB.com listed Springs as one of
10 "under the radar" players entering Rangers camp, putting him at No. 6 and noting, "He has a cross-body delivery with a 90-92 mph fastball, plus changeup and solid mound demeanor. If his curve picks up, the Rangers might have another left-handed relief option."
Springs averaged 11.7 strikeouts and only 3.0 walks per nine innings last season for the Kinston-based Down East Wood Ducks, the Rangers' affiliate in the High-A Carolina League. After making 17 starts to open the season, he came out of the bullpen in his last 14 appearances.
Following his graduation from South Point High School in Belmont, Springs pitched primarily as a starter at App State from 2012-2015, totaling 38 starts over his final three seasons. He went 4-2 with a 4.46 ERA as a senior and pitched into the ninth inning of two league wins, including a complete-game victory in which he struck out 11 batters from ULM.
