Rangers pitching prospect Cole Ragans on MLB debut, Texas’ farm talent

Texas Rangers pitching prospect Cole Ragans jumped on an episode of GBag Nation on 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM] Tuesday afternoon to talk about his MLB debut, the Rangers farm system and first-game collectibles. Here’s what he had to say.

Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Was it like you expected last week when you finally got up there in the show?

Ragans: “Oh man, it was indescribable. It was awesome.”

How long did it take for you to know you were going to be back? When did your confidence grow back after two Tommy Johns in a row?

Ragans: “So last year I started in High-A Hickory. I threw well there and about halfway through the season I got sent to Frisco. Kind of struggled a little bit. My body feels good and everything, but still go work to do. This year I started in Double-A and little things started coming together and I got promoted to Round Rock. I kept telling myself, ‘don’t change a thing.’ The stuff I have got me here and so just stick with it and go from here. They told me I’m coming up and, man, it’s crazy.”

What was that like? Where were you?

Ragans: “We were in Sugarland, actually, Tuesday morning to start a series for the week. After the game, they told me I was going up so my wife and I drove up to Arlington. It was a dream come true, that’s for sure..”

It’s a short trip to Houston. How early did you arrive for the plane and all of that? Were you nervous? I know when I was in the NFL, I was there super early. Did you feel the same thing?

Ragans: “I talked to Brett Martin, Brock Burke, all of them. I was like, ‘alright, I’m just going to follow them.’ If I have a group of guys, they will be on time so I’ll be with them and there will be a group of us that show up at the same time. I tried to see what all the guys who have been here are doing and try to pay attention.”

You know Cole, right at the time you were drafted this was a real fun rivalry with the Astros. Since then Houston has got the upper hand a little bit, I’m sure you’ve noticed. How long until you guys can sort of turn it back over your way?

Ragans: “I think we are definitely going in the right direction, that’s for sure. I’ve started in Double-A and I’ve played with (Jack) Leiter, those kind of guys and then in Triple-A I played with Cole Winn, and those guys are studs. They are unbelievable.”

There’s a ton of quality pitching down there in this system, and you know these guys. What’s that like? Is it competitive? Are you guys all bros? Or are you feeling like you’re fighting for a spot?

Ragans: “I think we are all really good friends. Like me and Cole, Owen (White) and Jack. All of us are good friends. It’s competitive and we are all really good friends, so it’s more like we push each other to be better each day and that kind of stuff.”

When you made that start the other day against the White Sox, when you stood on the mound you’re about to throw that first pitch, what was your hear rate like? Did you calm yourself down or did you want to throw up? Where were you right then and there when you were getting ready to let that first one go?

Ragans: “I got to the field. It was my start day and I got to the field really early so I could go out on the mound and stand there before anyone got here. See what it looks like. See what the view is like from the mound. The back drop, all of that kind of stuff. Just walk around and calm myself down. So when I got out there I felt like I could calm myself down a little bit because I had seen it before earlier in the day. Do what you’ve been doing, try to fill it up, get ahead. Obviously a few walks, but I just tried to execute my pitches. I knew if I execute my pitches I’ll be in a good place.”

Are there any souvenirs you took with you after that one? Did you grab a lineup card or anything like that?

Ragans: “Yeah, so I have my first strikeout ball, the lineup card and I have the first ball I threw of the game.”

Click here to listen to the full interview.

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