FRISCO, Texas -- Mark Hamburger doesn't get tired of telling the story. After all, when you go from unknown pitcher to a pro contract in less than 48 hours, it's a story worth telling.

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Hamburger is set to begin his third full season in the Rangers' organization. He came to Texas in August 2008 when the Rangers traded Eddie Guardado to the Twins.

"I couldn't believe I was traded," Hamburger said on Monday at RoughRiders Media Day. "Then again, I couldn't believe I was in pro ball to begin with."

Hamburger had just completed his second year of junior college in June 2007 and because of an issue with one of his core classes, he didn't play baseball at college that year. He and a buddy decided they might as well go to the Twins' open tryout at the Metrodome.

"We thought it'd be fun and you never know," Hamburger said. "My dad wanted me to do it too. He thought it was a chance to be seen. I hadn't pitched in a game since the previous year when I went 14-0 with a 0.67 ERA. I didn't really know what to expect."

Hamburger threw off a mound and was clocked at 93 mph for six straight pitches. That got the attention of a few scouts, including one that had seen Hamburger in high school when he wasn't throwing nearly that hard.

Hamburger was told to come back the next day. He then threw three innings in a simulated game. He said the first one went well, he struggled some in the second, but figured it out and went 1-2-3 in the third.

"A scout called me into the dugout and asked me if I'd like to play for the Twins," Hamburger said. "He said, 'Here's $1,200 and a plane ticket to the Gulf Coast League.' I left three days later. It was a shock to me."

Hamburger was 2-1 with a 1.20 ERA in eight games that season and then was traded to Texas midway through his second season with the Twins. The 24-year-old right-handed reliever split time in 2010 with Class A Bakersfield and Double-A Frisco. He went a combined 4-2 with a 2.20 ERA with 21 saves and 69 strikeouts.

His goal this year: Be known for more than just his name.

Hamburger was fourth in a minor league name contest last year and hears comments from fans all the time.

"In the Frisco program it said, 'How do you like your Hamburger?'" Hamburger said. "I hear it from opposing teams too. Can he 'ketchup' to the competition? Hope he doesn't get grilled? But when I went to Puerto Rico this past year to pitch a little, the whole stadium was chanting 'Burger King.' That was pretty cool."

Hamburger is focused on becoming more consisent in his approach and mechanics.

"I want to go out there and get to the point where everyone knows I'm going to do my job," said Hamburger, who throws a fastball, two-seamer, curve and changeup. "I think I was aiming too much with my two-seamer. I just need to go out and throw it and I did that in spring training and had success after some ups and downs."