Wes

Littleton

Well, it’s still like a promotion for Littleton, who was in Double-A before he was recalled on Friday. He knew he was going to be in the majors for just a few days. Unfortunately, he didn’t get into a game while with the Rangers.

The Angels handed him his first loss of the year, hanging three runs and three hits on him in two innings of work. Littleton had thrown 12 1/3 straight innings of shutout ball in dropping his ERA under a half a run per game. It’s now up to 1.74.

Littleton, 23, had a 0.66 ERA in 27 1/3 innings for Frisco. He’s a quality relief prospect, but his current stay will be a brief one.

Littleton didn’t get into a game during his first stint with the Rangers in May. His 1.23 ERA in 43 1/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A might earn him more of an opportunity this time.

Littleton, a 2003 fourth-round pick, wet 8-10 with a 4.15 ERA, 139 H and 72/56 K/BB in 141 IP for Single-A Stockton last season. Despite the poor strikeout-to-walk ratio, he has a chance to become a middle-of-the-rotation starter because of his sinker-slider combo.

He’s fanned 15 batters in 10 2/3 innings. Littleton was switched to the pen in Double-A this year and had a 3.97 ERA in 81 2/3 IP. He’s very likely to make his major league debut at some point during 2006, and he could emerge as a setup man a couple of years down the line.

The Rangers liked Littleton as a potential third or fourth starter before he stumbled last year. He’s in the pen now, and he has a 4.06 ERA in 37 1/3 IP for Frisco. His sinker-slider combination might allow him to succeed as a reliever, but it doesn’t look like he’ll help the Rangers this year.

Littleton still seems worthy of a bullpen spot after posting a 4.15 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in 17 1/3 innings, but the Rangers aren’t willing to release Ron Mahay to make room for him. He’ll be back.

Littleton allowed one run in two innings during his latest stint with the Rangers. We continue to maintain that he’s one of the team’s five best relievers. However, he’s barely been a factor this season.