Nate

Gold

The infielder, at age 26, is not considered a real prospect, but this season certainly gives him a better chance to at least carve out some kind of big league career. He was one of just four Rangers’ farm hands to hit over .290 in full-season ball this season, and his 34 homers and 106 RBI ranked third among all minor league players.

Gold, who is now almost 29, spent the early part of his career in the Rangers’ minor league system. He was awarded the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year in 2006, but has been hampered by injuries ever since.

Gold was the Rangers’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2006, but had a .256 batting average with two home runs and 15 RBI in 25 games this season. Those numbers aren’t horrible, but Gold is now 29 years old and was only taking up room on the farm.

With Gold taking on Mark Teixeira’s role, the RoughRiders played the same game that their parent club did last night. Gold is hitting .292/.370/.533 this season, but since he’s actually just two months younger than Teixeira, he’s not a prospect.

Gold, the Rangers’ minor leaguer of the year last season, was hitting .200 with one homer in 35 at-bats for Oklahoma. The 26-year-old isn’t viewed as a future regular, though he could be an adequate stopgap at first base if needed.