Hit a bunch of homers, and baseball executives notice.

Just ask Ryan Rua.

The former Lake Erie College star received a major promotion this week when the Texas Rangers promoted him from Single-A Hickory to Double-A Frisco. Hickory is the Rangers' Low-A affiliate, meaning he skipped the High-A level.

The reason for promotion is obvious. Rua is one of the minors top power hitters. He cracked 29 homers in 104 games at Hickory. The total ranks second in the minors this season.

Rua, a 17th-round pick in 2011, plays second base, a position not associated with inflated power numbers. He entered this season with 11 homers in 126 professional games.

The Rangers have one of baseball's top farm systems, and their middle infield includes Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus and Jurickson Profar. But if Rua can match his Single-A power numbers in Double-A, he could be in position to become the first former Lake Erie College player to reach the major leagues.  

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy