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Here’s a list of the Rangers 2010 Draftees who’ve signed:

Welcome back for one final installment of the Rangers version of my Back Field Diaries.  I have already been approached by some Nationals writers to continue the series; if that pans out I will pass links on to Jamey and post them on my Twitter.  For now, I want to talk about the Texas League All-Star Game and, of course, the day I got traded, and to try to convey the wide variety of emotions that I’ve gone through over the last month.

Watching fellow teammate Joey Butler in the Home Run Derby and then pitching my 1.1 innings in the game was awesome.  It’s pretty cool to be able to sit and talk with some of the guys on other teams, because it’s not something you get to do routinely.  They are always seen as “the enemy” so when they are on your team for one day, you make new friends very quickly.  The 1.1 innings that I got to throw were extremely nerve-racking, but to be able to be a part of it all and get out of there with zero runs scored is something I’ll never forget. 

Three of those minor leaguers were teammates of mine for four-plus years and, more importantly, friends.  Although you are happy to see them get a better opportunity in a different organization, you are sad to see them go as well.  I’ve talked about Beavan here extensively.  He was my roommate for many years, both in-season and during spring training, and quickly became my best friend in the organization, so hearing about him leaving was extremely bittersweet.  The Lee deal and the Jorge Cantu deal went down, and you slowly watch your teammates pack up and leave, one by one, heading off to different pastures.  As a player you always kind of wonder what it would like to be traded.

After packing up our lockers, it was time to head out.  Tanner and I stayed around and watched a few innings of that day’s game and said some our goodbyes – it was very weird to say goodbye and not have it be the end of the season. 

Overall it was a whirlwind experience, and although I was sad to hear I was leaving the Rangers organization, I am also very happy that I am getting a new opportunity with the Washington Nationals.  I have made a few starts already for the Harrisburg Senators, and have been pretty pleased with the results so far, and I hope I can keep it going for my last three starts as we are one game up in the playoff chase.

I will be keeping my Ryan.Tatusko@gmail.com address if anyone wants to keep those emails coming.

– Ryan