Martin Perez -- the best pitching prospect in possibly the best farm system in baseball -- is skipping his scheduled start tonight in Round Rock. Significant
↵The Rangers' rotation was messed up a touch by the rainout in Baltimore Wednesday, and Scott Feldman was scheduled to spot start Monday so the rotation could reset on plenty of rest. If Neftali Feliz implodes Sunday, though, and Feldman needs to be a long man, would the Rangers give Perez his first career start in the Majors just to keep the rotation rested? Prospect maven Jason Cole thinks it's possible.
↵↵↵On Derek Hankins starting instead of Martin Perez in AAA tonight: I'd assume he's being held back in case Feldman has to pitch tomorrow.
↵— Jason Cole (@LoneStarDugout) May 13, 2012
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↵Obviously you don't want Feliz to fall apart so quickly you need a long man (or at all, really), but at least there would be a silver lining to that cloud. Unless there's a different, sadder reason Perez is missing his start.
↵Perez came in to the season ranked 31st by Baseball America; the fourth ranked left-handed pitcher. Perez has struck out 25 and walked 16 while allowing a 3.98 ERA in 40 AAA innings this year.
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