Rockies vs Rangers | Series Preview

May 19-21 2023 | Globe Life Field | Arlington, TX | First Pitches: 6:05-2:05-12:35 (all MST)

The Colorado Rockies and Texas Rangers will go head-to-head in an enticing matchup on May

19, 2023. The game will take place at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas, providing a

beautiful backdrop for some potentially top-notch baseball. Fans of both teams can look forward

to an intense battle, as the Rockies and Rangers both bring their A-game to the field. With

talented players on both sides, this is sure to be a game that fans won't want to miss.

Especially if you sport the purple and black with the MLB debut of former competitive balance pick Karl Kauffman who was just drafted in 2019. Unfortunately, due to an extended run with Michigan that saw them lose to Vanderbilt in the 2019 College World Series championship and the 2020 minor league season cancelled due to COVID-19 Kauffman didn't see a professional mound until spring of 2021. Just 2 short years later he has run the gamut from low-A ball all the way through triple-A Albuquerque. Now he hits the ultimate baseball peak, an MLB mound.

Karl Kauffmann Minor League Pitching

Year Level G GS IP ERA FIP H R ER HR BB SO H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9

2021 High-A 2 2 9.1 2.89 3.98 5 3 3 0 2 6 4.8 0.0 1.9 5.8

2021 Double-A 19 18 82.0 7.35 6.50 23 73 67 18 41 65 13.5 2.0 4.5 7.1

2022 Double-A 15 15 77.2 4.06 4.15 71 36 35 9 34 84 8.2 1.0 3.9 9.7

2022 Triple-A 13 13 64.0 6.05 6.46 70 48 43 11 45 60 9.8 1.5 6.3 8.4

2023 Triple-A 8 8 37.0 7.78 5.56 54 34 32 5 12 26 13.1 1.2 2.9 6.3

The Rockies will be counting on Kauffman to deliver a strong performance in his debut, and he

will be eager to show off his mid-90s fastball, top-notch changeup, and serviceable slider on the

highest stage. But he won't be alone in his quest for victory. The Rockies boast a talented roster that includes the likes of Elias Diaz, Charlie Blackmon, and rookie sensation Ezequiel Tovar. On

the other side of the field, the Rangers will be led by their own superstar players such as Adolis Garcia, Marcus Semien, and Nathan Eovaldi. It's safe to say that there will be no shortage of excitement throughout the game.

Both teams have a lot to play for, with the Rockies looking to continue their recent climb up the ranks in the NL West and the Rangers aiming to extend their lead in the AL West. With the pressure on, fans can expect the players to give it their all and leave nothing on the field. As the first pitch nears, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling matchup between two talented teams. The Colorado Rockies and Texas Rangers may not look evenly matched at first glance but can continue to surprise with impressive lineups and a fierce determination to come out on top.

As the first pitch nears, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling matchup between two talented teams. The Colorado Rockies and Texas Rangers may not look evenly matched at first glance but can continue to surprise with impressive lineups and a fierce determination to come out on top. Beyond the debut of Karl Kauffman, fans can also look forward to watching veteran players like Charlie Blackmon and Marcus Semien showcase their skills. The pressure is on for both teams, as they fight for crucial wins that could have a major impact on their respective divisions.

Beyond the debut of Karl Kauffman, fans can also look forward to watching veteran players like Charlie Blackmon and Marcus Semien showcase their skills. The pressure is on for both teams, as they fight for crucial wins that could have a major impact on their respective divisions. Beyond the debut of Karl Kauffman, fans can also look forward to watching veteran players like Blackmon and Marcus Semien showcase their skills. The pressure is on for both teams, as they fight for crucial wins that could have a major impact on their respective divisions.

Then you also have rookie center fielder Brenton Doyle leading the team with 6 stolen bases in only 13 games played. Doyle is also good for at least one web gem a game it seems. He may be hiding an S under those purple pinstripes how often he ends up vertical to the Earth then unleash a 98+ mph throw. In the last week we have seen the seven-year journey to the bigs end for former top pick Riley Pint, regardless of the outcome, it was nice seeing the kid get his shot. Oh, and have I mentioned Karl Kauffman is making his debut Friday? We have also seen former two- time Rockies draft pick, round-35 in 2016 and round-1 (23rd overall) in 2019, make his 2023 debut. Toglia just made his MLB debut at the end of last season on August 30, 2022.

The Rockies were also getting some good innings from starting pitcher Ryan Feltner before he was hit in the head by a Nick Castellanos line drive fracturing his skull. He joins a laundry list of injured rockies pitching with ace German Marquez out for all of 2023 and most of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Antonio Senzatela made it back from a knee injury to make a couple of promising starts before spraining his UCL. Noah Davis joined the bum elbow train back on April 30 and has yet to return with UCL inflammation.

That is just in the starting rotation you can add at least three more pitchers from the bullpen being sent to the trainers table. With Daniel Bard also missing time due to complications stemming from his well documented mental health issues. Their lineup has been more consistent with only CJ Cron being on the IL from the opening day roster right now. Randal Grichuk has been a boon to that lineup with a .340 average since his return from the IL and playing good defense wherever he gets reps in the outfield. Last second signing and former consensus number one prospect Jurickson Profar has a 27-game on-base streak going into the matchup against the Rangers.

The Rangers will counter with Martin Perez who has a 4-1 record with a 4.25 ERA and a lineup lead by plenty of power including Adolis Garcia with his 13 homers, third in the majors behind only New York Met Pete Alonso (16) and Los Angeles Dodger Max Muncy (15). Garcia leads the majors with 46 RBIs to go along with all those dingers. A former Cuban defector who signed with St. Louis in 2017 and made his debut in 2018, Garcia is one of the great early stories of the 2023 season. Garcia is the younger brother of former MLB player Adonis Garcia. This will be a stiff test for Kauffman in his MLB debut and Martin Perez leads his team with those four wins and the Rockies have shown an early struggle against lefties with an almost 30 point drop in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging as opposed to when they face a righty. Players like the aforementioned Randal Grichuk and Elias Diaz will need to mash from the right side while lefties like Charlie Blackmon will have to continue their strong start as well against lefties.

The Rockies also need to find more power as they are currently own the fourth lowest home run total at just 37, the Rays lead the league with over twice as many. If the right-handed bats in the Rockies lineup can chase Perez early, they have a chance to pull out a victory in Arlington. Regardless of the result, let all the Rocky Region enjoy the realization of a dream that is Karl Kauffman's debut and root for the kid to make the best of the opportunity.