Prospects Alfaro, Mazara earn promotions

CHICAGO -- The Rangers have promoted two of their top prospects to Double-A Frisco. Catcher Jorge Alfaro is moving up from Class A Myrtle Beach, and outfielder Nomar Mazara is jumping from lower Class A Hickory.

Alfaro, 21, is the Rangers' No. 2 prospect as ranked by MLB.com, and 39th overall. He was hitting .261 with 22 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs and 73 RBIs at Myrtle Beach. He had a .318 on-base percentage and .440 slugging percentage. He played in the All-Star Futures Game in Minnesota last month and was just named the Carolina League Player of the Week. He also showed significant improvement defensively, which is what the Rangers wanted to see.

"In Alfaro's situation, we put together a plan to challenge him, and if he thrived within that context, we would promote him to Double-A," assistant general manager Thad Levine said. "He did."

Mazara, 19, is ranked 10th in the Rangers' system and was hitting .264 with 21 doubles, 19 home runs and 73 RBIs. He has a .358 on-base percentage and .470 slugging percentage.

"He has been one of the most productive hitters in our farm system and one of the most mature," Levine said. "He rose to the occasion."