Rangers’ top pick to Indians

Since the Texas Rangers became the Spokane Indians’ major league affiliate in 2003, they’d gone 4 for 4 in sending their first-round draft picks to Spokane.

Add another year to the perfect record. The Rangers’ first-round draft pick, left-handed pitcher Kasey Kiker out of Russell County (Ala.) High School, signed a contract Wednesday that included a $1.6 million signing bonus. He will arrive today in Spokane.

The 18-year-old, chosen 12th overall, has a career record of 31-6 with a 0.91 ERA (26 earned runs in 256 2/3 innings), 85 walks, and 474 strikeouts at Russell County. He finished his high school career ranked second in strikeouts and 15th in wins in the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

Also assigned to Spokane on Wednesday was Washington State University pitcher Michael Wagner, who had 59 strikeouts with the Cougars this season and was the Rangers’ 18th-round selection.

Texas still hasn’t signed third-round pick catcher Chad Tracy from Pepperdine or fourth-round pick shortstop Marcus Lemon out of Eustis High School in Florida.

The Rangers did not have a second-round pick.

The Rangers have signed 19 of the 50 drafted players, including six of the nine from the first 10 rounds.

While Kiker won’t arrive until today, the majority of the roster arrived in Spokane on Wednesday. Indians manager Mike Micucci was excited to meet his new team and see them out on the field.

“It’s going to take us time for us to get to know the club and for the club to get to know us,” Micucci said.

The Indians’ first team practice will be held prior to the 6:30 p.m. exhibition game today against the Spokane RiverHawks at Avista Stadium.

“It’ll be a good time for us to see our club, basically for the first time, and evaluate what we have and where we need to go,” Micucci said.

Micucci’s said the biggest challenge so far is that nearly everyone on the roster is new to professional baseball.

“Ninety percent of the kids have just signed their first professional contract,” he said.

The new manager had time to work with his pitching coach, Danny Clark, and hitting coach Jim Nettles prior to moving to Spokane. They were all together in Arizona for spring training and were able to meet and set the goals for what they want to do this season.

“It’s been smooth sailing so far,” Micucci said.

The Indians open the regular season at 6:30 p.m. Monday against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes at Avista Stadium.