Considering what Caden Scarborough has already been through this year, dealing with High-A hitters is a piece of cake.
Scarborough, the Rangers' No. 2 prospect and No. 74 in MLB, made it look easy on Friday, when he struck out seven batters and generated 10 whiffs across 3 2/3 scoreless innings against Asheville in Hub City's 6-5 victory at Fifth Third Park.
The right-hander has made five starts this season, with his last three coming with the Spartanburgers. His latest outing lowered his High-A ERA to 1.69 over 10 2/3 innings. He has tallied 13 K's and limited hitters to a .167 average.
Scarborough's performance thus far is made even more impressive when you consider that he underwent surgery to remove a malignant melanoma in his neck in early February.
COMPLETE RANGERS PROSPECT COVERAGE
A sixth-round Draft pick in 2023, Scarborough is armed with a high-90s fastball that plays up because of the excellent extension he gets out of his 6-foot-5 frame. He complements that heater with a 60-grade, high-spin sweeper. His changeup shows promise, and he said earlier this year that he is working on a cutter.
Although Scarborough didn't pitch long enough to qualify for a win Friday, Hub City pulled out a victory with a four-run ninth inning that was capped by a walk-off homer from catcher Malcolm Moore, the club's No. 18 prospect.
The Rangers' first-round Draft pick in 2024, Moore is up to 10 homers this year, many of which came during his incredible eight-game hot streak in May.