KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The most anticipated start of the minor league season takes place Thursday for the Rangers when Cole Winn makes his professional debut.
Winn, the Rangers' top pick in last year's draft, will work either four innings of 60 pitches for Class A Hickory against Greenville of the Boston organization.
Winn, 19, is skipping both of the short-season rookie leagues to head to the South Atlantic League. Those teams do not start their season until mid-June. He did not pitch after signing with the Rangers last year, participating instead in the club's "de-load" program that emphasized preparation over facing hitters.