STWF Sports | Amarillo, TX | April 16, 2026 – The Frisco RoughRiders continue their early-season surge Thursday night as they face the Amarillo Sod Poodles in the third game of a six-game set at HODGETOWN. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., with Frisco sending right-hander Winston Santos (0-0, 7.71 ERA) to the mound against Amarillo’s Josh Grosz (0-1, 9.00 ERA).
Frisco enters the matchup riding significant momentum after back-to-back offensive explosions to open the series. The RoughRiders have showcased one of the most dangerous lineups in Double-A early in the 2026 campaign, combining power, consistency, and depth to overwhelm opposing pitching staffs. Through 11 games, Frisco leads Double-A in hits (119) and ranks near the top in batting average (.295), slugging (.468), and OPS (.828), signaling a lineup that is producing at an elite level across multiple categories.
Why the Frisco RoughRiders Are a Team to Watch This Season
The tone of the series was set quickly, as Frisco launched five home runs in Wednesday’s 10-7 victory, continuing a trend of power success at HODGETOWN. Historically, the ballpark has favored the RoughRiders’ offensive style, with the club averaging 1.8 home runs per game in Amarillo since 2019—more than double their rate in other Texas League parks. That trend appears alive and well in 2026, as Frisco looks to extend its early series dominance.
One of the biggest storylines heading into Thursday’s contest is the torrid stretch by outfielder Orlando Martinez. The rising bat has been nearly unstoppable through the first two games of the series, collecting eight hits in 11 at-bats, including a historic five-hit performance with two home runs earlier this week. Martinez currently leads Minor League Baseball in hits and OPS over that span, providing a consistent spark at the top and middle of the lineup.
Infielder Frainyer Chavez has also been instrumental in the RoughRiders’ offensive success. Chavez has reached base in all 11 games this season and is hitting .319 with three home runs and a .953 OPS, placing him among the league’s most productive hitters. His ability to set the table and deliver extra-base hits has added balance to a lineup that is producing from top to bottom.
Additionally, utility player John Taylor enters Thursday’s game on an eight-game hitting streak, further reinforcing Frisco’s depth. Taylor’s consistent contact and situational hitting have made him a key contributor during this early-season stretch, while also drawing attention off the field as part of the popular “Baseball Bat Bros” social media group.
On the mound, however, the RoughRiders will look for improvement from Santos, who is still settling into his rhythm this season. Despite a 7.71 ERA, Santos has shown flashes of potential and will aim to limit early damage against an Amarillo lineup searching for answers after a slow start. The Sod Poodles, an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, enter the contest at 2-9 and will rely on Grosz to stabilize their rotation.
Grosz, carrying a 9.00 ERA, faces a daunting challenge against one of the hottest offenses in the league. For Amarillo, controlling Frisco’s power will be critical, particularly in a ballpark that has historically amplified offensive production.
With the RoughRiders already securing the first two games of the series, Thursday presents an opportunity to seize firm control and continue building momentum in the Texas League standings. For Amarillo, it’s a chance to regroup and prevent the series from slipping further out of reach.
As first pitch approaches, all eyes will be on whether Frisco’s bats can stay scorching—and whether their pitching can match the offensive firepower that has defined their early success.
