Cole Ragans’ long journey to the majors cheered throughout Rangers organization

(Andy Neitupski/TTL Sports Media)

ARLINGTON — The world was in the palm of Cole Ragans’ hand June 16, 2017, just more than a year after he had been selected in the first round of the MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers.

That palm might have been a little sweaty, though, as Ragans was the Opening Day starter for the short-season Class A team in Spokane. The 18-year-old appeared to be a tad nervous.

The Spokane manager that season was Matt Hagen, who had joined the organization in 2016 as a coach and was a first-time manager. His palms might have been a little sweaty, too.