Drafted out of high school in the 28th round by the Texas Rangers is 2010, Kukuruda spent most of his four years coming out of the bullpen in Rookie and A ball. His stint in Class A Hickory of the South Atlantic League was a success last summer with an ERA of 3.81 with 28 hits allowed in 26 innings and 28 strikeouts. His overall three year ERA in the Rangers organization was 5.59 with 83 strikeouts in 114 1/3 innings.