Friday on the Farm: How 20 key prospects in Rangers system fared in first half

(Wang Brothers Photography)

Major-league teams aren’t the only ones who have reached the midway point of their seasons.

The second half is under way with the full-season affiliates, whose records started over at 0-0 within the past week.

For some of them, including a couple Rangers affiliates, that was very good news.

Low A Down East won its division in the first half and will be in the Carolina League playoffs.

Winning games in the minor leagues is nice, as players gain an understanding of what it takes to win a ballgame. Player development, though, is the primary focus.

To that end, the Rangers had more good stories in the first half than bad. A few of the good are in the majors — left-hander Cody Bradford and right-hander Grant Anderson. Some of the bad developments involve injuries, including the season-ending surgeries for right-hander Kumar Rocker (Tommy John) and outfielder Yeison Morrobel (labrum).

Right-handers Zak Kent (oblique) and TK Roby (shoulder) remain out.

Other prospects can’t be fully judged yet because of injuries.

The following is a rundown of 20 key development storylines to know and to follow the rest of the season.