It is not only probable but also a definite certainty that Jon Daniels and Thad Levine and Ron Washington and probably also, like, half of the dogs in the Dallas Metro Statistical Area are more qualified than the present author to hold forth on what is best for the Texas Rangers. Nor is it my intention, at all in what follows, to hold forth on any such thing.

Rather, the purpose of this brief post is only to submit a formal request — or, as formal a request as one is capable of making by means of an internet weblog featuring banner ads for the Brazilian Butt Lift. The request is as follows: that they (i.e. the Texas Rangers) allow pitcher Alex Claudio to start one and/or more than one baseball games this September.

For those readers who are less well acquainted with fringe prospects, below are some relevant facts regarding Claudio.

He:

• Is a 22-year-old left-hander from Puerto Rico; and
• Began the current season in the High-A Carolina League; and
• Subsequently recorded strikeout and walk rates of 23.3% and 3.6%, respectively, in 92.0 innings across three minor-league levels; and
• Has recorded strikeout and walk rates of 31.3% and 6.3%, respectively — and also a ground-ball rate of 55.0% — in 7.1 relief innings for Texas following a mid-August promotion; and
• Has recorded, in those 7.1 relief innings, an average fastball velocity (84.6 mph) just a little bit slower than Cardinals infielder Daniel Descalso;
• Has recorded the absolute slowest average changeup velocity (67.5 mph) among anyone to throw a pitch this season.

So far as dramatic effect is concerned, it’s possible that the facts above aren’t ideally arranged. What one needs to know about Claudio, though, is that he (a) features conspicuously underwhelming arm speed, but has also (b) produced decidedly above-average figures (so far) at four different levels this season.

It’s not uncommon, probably, for a relief pitcher to ascend a couple levels and then find success in the majors based on his ability to dominate same-handed batters. Unlike other left-handers with sub-optimal velocity, however, Claudio doesn’t necessarily profile as a LOOGY. While he throws from a low-ish arm slot and features an effective slider, Claudio’s beautiful and strange changeup allows him to neutralize right-handed batters reasonably well, too.

Like, for example, how he decisively neutralized Collin Cowgill recently by means of his changeup:

And then how, here, he neutralized Cowgill again via the changeup on the very next pitch:

Again, though: the intention of this missive isn’t necessarily to argue that adding Alex Claudio to the rotation might make the Rangers better. Rather, it’s to point out that it would obviously make them more interesting — and that, given his record to date, that Claudio probably wouldn’t embarrass either himself or the club.