Detroit Tigers Thread: Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by Celemo, Apr 9, 2015.

  1. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    I don't understand what this is supposed to mean. Is he suggesting that, if you're rebuilding, every player on your roster has to be young?
     
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  2. Vinegar Strokes

    Vinegar Strokes Fire Izzo
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    We are four years into the rebuild and playing those fucking rejects. What’s so hard to understand. Our 25 man roster has like 3 young players that are worth a shit.
     
    RalfBully likes this.
  3. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    We're not 4 years into the rebuild. We were still trying to make the playoffs going into 2017.
     
    Constant likes this.
  4. Vinegar Strokes

    Vinegar Strokes Fire Izzo
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    We lost 90 games that year.
     
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  5. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    Yeah, and we traded away a bunch of people in the middle of that season because we just started to rebuild.
     
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  6. Vinegar Strokes

    Vinegar Strokes Fire Izzo
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    Fine. The rebuild is rebuild is 2.5 years. Happy?


    The Brewers GM was hired same year as Milwaukee, they had a limited farm system with no talent, and they already turned that into a playoff appearance.
     
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  7. Joe Louis

    Joe Louis no thank you turkish, i'm sweet enough
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    But idk why we are quoting Jeff Erickson on anything non-fantasy related :idk:
     
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  8. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    We're 1.5 years into the actual rebuild. And no, I'm not happy. They should be further along because they should have started earlier. They didn't, and that's on both Avila and Ilitch for wasting those years.
     
  9. Vinegar Strokes

    Vinegar Strokes Fire Izzo
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    Well Avila said a rebuild can take up to 10 years. So hang in there
     
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  10. spartanchuck

    spartanchuck Well-Known Member

    Uhh. I’m normally on board. But this is really year 2.5 of the rebuild. At best.
     
    MG2 likes this.
  11. DeToxRox

    DeToxRox Uncle T
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    Good for JV
     
  12. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    Also, we could probably start this season with Willi Castro or Sergio Alcantara at SS, and Niko Goodrum at 2B. We'd be a lot younger. Would that really help the rebuild, though?

    There's lots of stuff people can criticize Avila for. It's not hard to find them. Playing Mercer and Harrison up the middle doesn't register at all for me. Especially Harrison, given his cheap contract and the potential for trade value in July.
     
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  13. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    I'm shocked he took that deal. I thought for sure he'd go into FA just to experience it. Says something about how much he loves Houston, too, because I always thought he'd want to try a more glamorous market like LA or Chicago. I think both the Dodgers and Cubs would have been interested if he continued pitching like this.
     
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  14. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    I have no clue who replaces him on the roster if he starts on the IL Would assume Mahtook starts in CF.

     
  15. Vinegar Strokes

    Vinegar Strokes Fire Izzo
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    I’m sure we can call up one of our great outfield prospects.
     
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  16. DeToxRox

    DeToxRox Uncle T
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  17. DeToxRox

    DeToxRox Uncle T
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  18. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    Based on the stuff I've read from both beat writers and national guys, there's zero chance we have 7 or 8 better relief options than this guy. Guessing this is a case of players without options making it over him, but I think he should have made the team over guys like Buck Farmer.

     
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  19. Vinegar Strokes

    Vinegar Strokes Fire Izzo
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    Please not Victor Reyes.
     
  20. Vinegar Strokes

    Vinegar Strokes Fire Izzo
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    And Norris should be a starter. What is there to gain having him as bullpen. Put one of those losers we signed in the bullpen. Norris is the future. Moore and Ross are not.
     
  21. Joe Louis

    Joe Louis no thank you turkish, i'm sweet enough
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    MG2 acquired Taylor Trammell for Manning in my dynasty league, whatcha think?
     
    #6272 Joe Louis, Mar 24, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2019
  22. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    I think that's probably a good deal for you. At the very least, you're getting better odds there with the hitter over the pitcher.
     
    Joe Louis likes this.
  23. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    Sounds like Norris is still making the team in the pen, and we're going with 8 relievers. I really hate going with 8 relievers.

     
  24. Vinegar Strokes

    Vinegar Strokes Fire Izzo
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    We are doing openers this year.
     
  25. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    Keith Law predicted every team's record and has us as being the 2nd-worst team in the league (Baltimore was last). We're not going to be good, but I would be more surprised if we finished with the 29th-best record than I would be if we finished with the 18th-best record (barring significant injuries that cripple the team).
     
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  26. spartanchuck

    spartanchuck Well-Known Member

    It's going to be interesting to see how far a healthy Cabrera can carry this team.
     
  27. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    Cabrera being healthy means a lot to the line-up because it doesn't really have any pop when he's not in there.

    I think Candelario has a significantly better 2nd season (more in line with his first half than second half last year), and I think they at least have enough mediocre options at SP and OF 9 (at least by around June) that they can kind of keep throwing bodies out there until someone produces at a decent level.

    Also, if Avila has proven one thing, it's that he's not going to make many trades unless he thinks he has to (JD) or he's getting a clear win. I don't think they're likely to tear everything down in the middle of the season unless they're getting great value.
     
  28. Joe Louis

    Joe Louis no thank you turkish, i'm sweet enough
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    Lineup shouldn't be complete trash. Jeimer, Stewart, Casty, Miggy, Goodrum is a pretty nice 1-5 IYAM ...
     
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  29. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    Depending on health and what they do with Castellanos, the line-up at the end of the year could be league average or better because I expect Cameron be the every day CF by the end of June (maybe a lot sooner than that) and think Willi Castro could be starting at SS by the ASB, especially if Mercer is struggling.
     
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  30. Joe Louis

    Joe Louis no thank you turkish, i'm sweet enough
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    That would be fun. And if they performed, first signs that we might have a legit core to work with ...
     
  31. Joe Louis

    Joe Louis no thank you turkish, i'm sweet enough
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    Forgetting JayHay in there too, so make that 1-6 ...
     
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  32. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    Interesting thread from the WM play-by-play guy about observations on a lot of prospects down in ST.

     
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  33. DeToxRox

    DeToxRox Uncle T
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    What’s the story on Josh Lester?
     
  34. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    I don't think he's a prospect. I'm not sure what he was talking about there, although our system has no power bats now that Stewart is up so maybe he's right?
     
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  35. Vinegar Strokes

    Vinegar Strokes Fire Izzo
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    Best rotation in baseball. Let’s fucking go

     
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  36. DetroitNole

    DetroitNole Well-Known Member
    Donor

  37. Vinegar Strokes

    Vinegar Strokes Fire Izzo
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    Alright guys, how many of those bums are in our starting rotation come September 1st?
     
  38. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    I just looked up his stats and the rankings on TigsTown. He hit 21 HR with a .259/.346/.455 line in AA as a 23/24 year old, which is solid, but TigsTown didn't rank him in its top 50 or list him in the 20 or so names after that of guys who "just missed".

    The TigsTown guys seem to have pretty significant contacts within the org, so that means something, although they had Daniel Woodrow outside their top 50 and he was in Keith Law's top 20 and has gotten some buzz down in ST. My guess is he maybe could make it as a John Hicks type, but more likely he's an org guy in AA and AAA.
     
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  39. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    Actually, I take back the TigsTown thing. They listed him in their "just missed" section with Woodrow and other guys.
     
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  40. smeegsgreen

    smeegsgreen Big fan of Koalas
    Michigan State Spartans

    Do you have the tigstown ranking available?
     
  41. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    Top 10
    10. SS WENCEEL PEREZ
    Wenceel Perez was arguably the Tigers biggest breakout prospect in 2018 and with good reason and he put strong feel for the game and good raw tools on display as he tore through three levels and finished the year as an 18-year old performing at a high level down the stretch in Low-A. Perez is a natural shortstop with the potential to stick at the position long-term, enhancing his overall value by playing a premium position. His bat stands out at a young age thanks to an innate ability to make solid contact with the potential to grow into an above-average bat with gap power. He’s not the bouncy athlete he was billed as coming out of the Dominican, but he’s a quality athlete that should be a high-end prospect up to the point he reaches the big leagues.

    9. SS WILLI CASTRO

    Willi Castro lacks the all-around ability of Perez, but his proximity to the big leagues and high floor give him the slight edge in these rankings. He’s an above-average runner that uses his speed well in the field to maintain the look of a solid-average glove at the “6.” His bat fits well enough at the position, but isn’t likely to carry him to a role as a first-division regular. He makes decent contact but gets a little swing happy in the box and doesn’t have the power to backup that type of profile. All told, Castro does a lot of things well, but lacks the carrying tool to make him a mainstay in the Detroit lineup down the line. He could be a placeholder until someone like Wenceel Perez arrives at shortstop, at which point he would be a valuable utility infielder.

    8. OF CHRISTIN STEWART
    Christin Stewart saw his 2018 big league debut cut short due to a minor injury, but in just 17 games he flashed the type of power and patience that have become his calling cards across the minor leagues. Though he has a propensity to swing and miss, Stewart works counts well and finds pitches he can drive to the pull side. He struggles some with big velocity but can hammer mistakes. Stewart won’t hit for average, but he should get on base and slug as long as pitchers don’t figure out a consistent way to attack and neutralize him. He remains a well below-average defender that is best suited to nowhere but the batter’s box, but it’s a hard sell to commit a young player like him to the DH spot this early in his career without a bat that projects to an elite level.

    7. OF PARKER MEADOWS
    The Tigers ponied up $2.5 million to sign Parker Meadows in the second round last summer and he delivered with a strong pro debut across two levels. The younger brother of Rays outfielder Austin Meadows, Parker lacks Austin’s natural feel for hitting, but he has more raw power and a more promising defensive profile. At his best, Meadows makes hard contact to all fields and can drive the ball out to any park he encounters. He has the instincts, athleticism, and above-average speed to stick in center field, though his power and plus arm could allow him to slide to right field down the line. The big question here will be just how much Meadows hits and if he can get to his power consistently in game situations. If he does, Meadows could be a key part of the Tigers next rebuilding club.

    6. RHP BEAU BURROWS
    While Beau Burrows appears to have fallen from grace after being one of the highest rated prospects in the system just a few years ago, that was more a function of the state of the system than it was Burrows raw potential. All along, Burrows showed low- to mid-90s velocity that can touch 97 early in games and will flash a breaking ball that can miss bats. He lacks consistency with his secondary offerings and his changeup has yet to make significant progress during his pro career. All told, while Burrows has the strength and stamina to become a number four starter, he may profile better in the bullpen where his fastball and one of his breaking balls can play up a touch.

    5. RHP FRANKLIN PEREZ
    The crown jewel of the package the Tigers received for Justin Verlander in August 2017, Franklin Perez lost almost all of the 2018 season as he dealt with two different injuries and never pitched to any significant degree. At his best, Perez looks the part of a number three starter – or possibly a number two starter in a perfect world – with natural feel for his craft, a mid-90s fastball, and quality secondary stuff. Though he’s a tough player to evaluate after a lost season, Perez remains young and extremely talented, keeping him high on the prospect radar at this time.

    4. OF DAZ CAMERON
    Daz Cameron also came to the Tigers from the Astros in 2017, but he suffered nothing resembling the lost season of Perez, instead breaking out and becoming the center fielder of the future in Detroit. Cameron has exceptional instincts on the field, allowing him to play a high quality center field in spite of just above-average raw speed. Cameron’s offensive growth is arguably the biggest development of the 2018 season as he showed an improved approach, consistent hard contact, and more over-the-fence power that elevates his entire profile. All told, instead of looking like a fringe regular at this time last year, Cameron now profiles as a legitimate everyday player with above-average upside.

    3. IF ISAAC PAREDES
    Isaac Paredes is the most exciting position player in the Tigers system thanks to an offensive profile that could carry him to serious success in the big leagues. He has easy plus raw power that he gets to in games thanks to an impressive feel for getting the barrel on the ball. Paredes’ offensive profile could end up being a big-time tool that leads to all-star appearances if he can find a defensive home. While he has been a shortstop throughout his minor league career, he lacks the basic quickness to hang at the position long term. He moves well enough to manage at second or third base and the Tigers could look to make that move more consistently in 2019. The hope is he continues his offensive development while settling into a defensive home as he arrives in Detroit late next year.

    2. RHP MATT MANNING
    The Tigers were heavily criticized for derailing Matt Manning and his development in 2017, but things seemed to be coming together last year as he found another gear with his fastball, threw more strikes, and found a consistently good curveball. There’s still work to be done as Manning has yet to be tested against advanced hitters and his changeup remains in the nascent stages of development, but he once again looks like a prospect that could become a number two starter at some point down the line. As a fall back, the Tigers could always shift Manning to the bullpen where his fastball would likely approach triple digits and he could quickly develop into a late-inning relief arm.

    1. RHP CASEY MIZE
    The Tigers top pick in June – and number one overall pick – Casey Mize should be a fast moving right-hander that takes a spot at or near the top of the big league rotation in short order. Though the foundation of his arsenal is a mid-90s fastball that reaches 97-98 mph at times, he has a wealth of above-average to plus pitches to round out his repertoire. Mize’s splitter is a filthy plus-plus pitch that serves as a changeup in his power arsenal, and he shows an ability to manipulate his slider as a hard, biting pitch and a slower, big breaking offering. He added a cutter late in his college career and that pitch quickly advanced and become another above-average weapon. With all that at his disposal, Mize also commands his entire arsenal extremely well, giving him the potential to profile as a future number one starter that anchors a big league rotation for a long time.
     
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  42. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    30-11
    30. Elvin Rodriguez (RHP)

    Rodriguez joined the Tigers as part of the Justin Upton trade with the Angels, coming in as an intriguing teenaged right-hander with upside toward the back of the rotation. He pitched well in Grand Rapids last summer, proving durable, limiting free passes, and generally flashing solid stuff across the board. There’s some potential for added strength which could allow Rodriguez’s low-90s fastball to gain velocity. That type of development would bode well for his future and would likely improve the success of his changeup and breaking ball long term.


    29. Reed Garrett (RHP)

    The Tigers selected Garrett in the first round of this month’s Rule 5 draft, popping him from the Rangers’ system with the hopes that he can help fill a bullpen role in Detroit this season. At his best, Garrett will consistently show 95-96 mph gas that reaches as high as 98 mph on occasion. His slider has improved over the last two years, now featuring tighter rotation and more darting break. There’s potential here for a seventh inning arm once he settles in at the big league level, particularly the gains he realized in command last season carry forward to 2019.


    28. Derek Hill (OF)

    One of the Tigers most disappointing first round picks in recent memory, Hill has struggled to stay on the field, and when he is playing in games, his development has not been consistently positive. There’s a ton of athleticism and raw tools in the profile, highlighted by 70-grade speed and exceptional defense that could play in the big leagues right now. He has some raw pop that can get the ball into the gaps, but he struggles to barrel the ball in game situations, leaving him prone to weak contact and strikeouts. Fans of Hill believe his defense will carry him to a big league role despite his offensive shortcomings, but the reality is he’s profiling more and more like a fourth outfielder – at best – every day.


    27. Adam Wolf (LHP)

    A fifth round pick last summer, Wolf pitched very well in the NYPL despite logging a ton of innings at the collegiate level with Louisville. He consistently showed his 89-91 mph fastball and ramped up to 92-93 mph at times, moving the ball to both sides of the plate and effectively elevating both within and just out of the strike zone. His cutter, changeup, and slider all come and go as effective pitches with the cutter the most consistent. He has a big, durable frame that should eat innings if he can effectively mix his arsenal and avoid hard contact.

    26. Sandy Baez (RHP)

    Despite less than stellar results in Double-A, Baez’s presence on the 40-man roster meant he got a chance in the big leagues when the Tigers needed extra arms down the stretch. He moved to the bullpen this season where his fastball played up to the upper-90s on a consistent basis, but his issues with command and control continued to be very problematic. Baez doesn’t work down in the zone and too frequently finds the middle of the plate, leading to tons of hard contact in spite of an impressive fastball. Barring a dramatic leap forward commanding the ball, Baez remains more middle reliever than high leverage arm.


    25. Eduardo Jimenez (RHP)

    Speaking of high-leverage arms, Jimenez is a name to watch entering the 2019 season, particularly on the heels of his high-90s gas in the Arizona Fall League. Jimenez is throwing more strikes and looks to have ironed out some issues with his delivery that were preventing him from locating to the edges of the zone. Jimenez will be tested with his first trip to Double-A next season and from there he will be a short hop from Detroit as the season progresses and his performance dictates. The Tigers have had success developing hard-throwing right-handers in the bullpen, and the hope is Jimenez has some staying power in Detroit.


    24. Jake Robson (OF)

    Robson drew plenty of attention from Tiger fans last season when he came out of the gates blazing and earned a mid-season promotion to Triple-A. His performance in Toledo continued to impress, but scouts don’t see the type of tools necessary to make a significant impact in the big leagues. Robson’s on-base ability and above-average speed draw the most attention, with his solid glove and modicum of contact ability augmenting the profile. All told, Robson’s total package is more impressive than any of the individual pieces, leaving him to profile as an extra outfielder once he reaches Detroit next year.


    23. Zach Houston (RHP)

    Houston has been one of the Tigers most dominating minor league relievers since entering the system as an 11th round pick in 2016. He mixes an impressive and lively fastball that reaches 98 mph with a deceptive delivery to keep hitters from squaring him. His slider is his best secondary offering, showing above-average to plus potential when he’s right. Houston will show the occasional curveball and changeup, but neither is used with any frequency and won’t be factors in the big leagues. The Tigers will likely give Houston a call from Toledo at some point during the 2019 season and he could slot in as a seventh or eighth inning arm down the line.


    22. Dawel Lugo (2B)

    Lugo’s fall in the rankings has some to do with the emergence of other prospects, but also because many of his weaknesses were exposed in Toledo and Detroit last year. Lugo has an innate feel for contact in the batter’s box and that manifests as both a positive and negative for the 23-year old second baseman. Contact comes so easy that he doesn’t work counts and frequently generates weak contact rather than finding pitches he can drive. None of Lugo’s tools can carry the profile so he will need to hit for average, develop gap power, and hang at second base to find success in the big leagues.


    21. Gregory Soto (LHP)

    Another hard-throwing youngster, Soto continues to work in the rotation as part of his developmental strategy, but most scouts believe he will ultimately land in the bullpen as a power-armed lefty. In bursts, Soto can show upper-90s heat and he’s been able to throw more strikes in a relief setting than when he’s dialing it back for the rotation. There’s work to do on the secondary offerings, but scouts that believe in Soto’s future think the aggression and velocity gains of a bullpen role will help his breaking ball step forward.


    20. Logan Shore (RHP)

    Shore joined the Tigers as one of the two pieces in the Mike Fiers deal last summer, and he should start nearing the big leagues this year. He doesn’t blow you away with velocity, sitting in the low-90s most days, but his impeccable control and plus changeup give him a chance to get outs despite a fringy fastball. Shore continues to work on developing a slider, but the pitch lacks bite and hasn’t been reliable in big spots. The Tigers are hopeful that Shore can throw quality strikes and rely on the separation between his fastball and changeup to find success as a back-end starter.


    19. Anthony Castro (RHP)

    Castro became a minor league free agent at the conclusion of the 2019 season but the Tigers made him a priority signing, pulling him back into the fold in hopes of seeing his development through and reaping the rewards of his hard work. Castro’s future lies in the bullpen where his fastball should peak at 96-97 mph consistently and his curveball can tighten more to become a legitimate out pitch. He’s begun toying with a splitter that shows some promise but remains a distant third pitch. Castro should spend more time in Double-A in 2019 and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get some looks in a relief setting as the year progresses.

    18. Kingston Liniak (OF)

    The Tigers gave Liniak $900,000 as a fourth round pick last summer, making him the third member of his family to sign with a big league club. On top of strong baseball bloodlines, Liniak is tooled up with above-average speed and a potential above-average glove on either outfielder corner. His arm is strong and accurate, as well. Liniak’s approach is polished for his age and he seems to have the knack for contact to get the most out of his offensive gifts. If Liniak’s power emerges as he reaches physical maturity, he could profile as a solid regular.


    17. Carlos Guzman (RHP)

    Guzman was one of the breakout stars for the Tigers this summer, oozing athleticism and showing feel on the mound that is uncommon for most young pitchers, let alone those that just converted from being a position player. Guzman’s fastball sits at 92-94 and maintains that velocity throughout his games, and there’s likely more in the tank as he continues his development. Guzman’s best offering right now is a plus changeup that he throws with conviction and in any count. He showed some feel for spinning his slider and that could be the key to his next big developmental step when he enters full-season ball with West Michigan next year.


    16. Spencer Turnbull (RHP)

    Turnbull has slogged through the Tigers minor league system, battling injuries and having to find new footing at each level, but that climb culminated last year with four appearances (three starts) with the Tigers. He will get a chance to earn a job in Detroit during spring training next year, and in order to get that shot he will need to continue commanding his mid-90s fastball while also mixing in his hard slider and slower curveball. Turnbull has the ingredients to be an inning-eating righty in the back of the Tigers rotation, with a fall back option as a versatile reliever.


    15. Kody Clemens (2B)

    The Tigers third round pick out of Texas, Clemens made a strong first impression with Tigers fans by hitting .302/.387/.477 line in 41 games jumping straight to Low-A West Michigan. Clemens should get more at-bats in High-A to start the year as the Tigers will look for him to keep flashing his solid approach at the plate, feel for contact, and potential average pop. He’s not a standout defender but he’s capable at the keystone, leaving room for the bat to carry the profile. He’s an older prospect that will need to move quickly, but he has a chance for a well-rounded game that could make him a solid everyday player.



    14. Sergio Alcantara (SS)

    One of three pieces in the JD Martinez trade, Alcantara earns praise for his defensive potential, namely his double-plus arm that can make any throw necessary from the left side of the infield. Alcantara is only an average runner but he has good first step quickness and instincts that allow him to play a quality shortstop. At times, scouts report seeing more than above-average defense from him, but he’s consistently in that range. At the plate, Alcantara has made strides but still lacks the strength to drive the ball in any capacity; frequently being overpowered by opposing pitchers. His plate discipline and bat-to-ball ability are both strengths, but without an ability to drive the ball, his offensive profile limits his ceiling to that of a defense-first shortstop or utility infielder.


    13. Jake Rogers (C)

    Rogers came to the Tigers in the Justin Verlander trade and many fans were hopeful that he would quickly develop into the catcher of the future for Detroit. His glove came as advertised last year, including pitch framing, game calling, catch-and-throw skills, and a laser arm. His bat, however, left a lot to be desired as he struggled to make contact against advanced arms. He still shows above-average raw power to all fields, but couldn’t consistently get to it in games, leaving him as a glove-first catching prospect that is considered more of a likely backup than starter at the big league level. Rogers will try to reboot in 2019 and could still carve out a role in Detroit in 2020.


    12. Kyle Funkhouser (RHP)

    Funkhouser continued his climb through the system last year before a broken toe sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign. Funkhouser gets plenty of recognition for his name, but he’s a solid prospect as well, showing potential as a fourth or fifth starter with inning-eating potential. He sits comfortably in the low-90s and will regularly find 94-95 mph when he needs a little extra. His slider is a weapon that he falls in love with too often, something he will need to curtail to keep hitters from laying off it and sitting on his fastball. If healthy – something that has been an issue for Funkhouser over the years – he should reach Detroit later next year.


    11. Alex Faedo (RHP)

    The 2017 first-round pick for the Tigers, Faedo had plenty of attention focused his way last year and with that scrutiny came some questions about how he was achieving his results in High-A. Those questions became louder as he struggled to suppress the long ball in Double-A, and most scouts are quite concerned about where he goes from here. Faedo’s fastball velocity stepped back last year, working mostly in the 89-91 mph range without much life and his slider lacked the same quality he had shown in college. Absent a sudden re-emergence of his college “stuff”, Faedo is going to have to develop much more refined command to succeed with his current arsenal. The 2019 season is going to be a pivotal one in his development and any lack of progress would be a major hit to the idea of the Tigers having a bevy of young arms to carry their rebuild.
     
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  43. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    50-31
    50. Eric De La Rosa (OF)

    De La Rosa is an intriguing, toolsy outfielder with the potential to shoot up this list over the next 12 months. He’s loaded with raw tools, including above-average raw power and speed, as well as the potential to be an above-average defender in center field. His hit tool remains raw and despite his college experience he has yet to be tested against real high-level competition. With a chiseled physique, a wide array of tools, and what some scouts consider late bloom to his game skills, De La Rosa is a player to watch over the coming seasons. Expect him to head back to West Michigan in 2019 in what will be a significant test for his impressive but raw skills.


    49. Jose King (SS)

    King was considered the sleeper in the package that sent JD Martinez to Arizona in 2017. He struggled as a 19-year old during a brief stint in the NYPL but he laid waste to the GCL with an impressive .314/.372/.477 line in 24 games. King’s calling card is double-plus, and in some instances 80-grade, speed that can impact the game on the bases and in the field. He shows some ability to make contact and develop a quality hit tool, but extremely limited physicality calls into question his ability to do anything more than slap the ball around the field. King has a chance to be a top or bottom of the order hitter with speed at an up the middle position (shortstop, second base, or center field), but he has to fill out his narrow frame for that to happen.


    48. Jack O’Loughlin (LHP)

    O’Loughlin has drawn praise as the latest in the small Australian pipeline the Tigers have developed over the years. While they have yet to hit it big, they continue to mine unheralded prospects that flash tools and offer intrigue at the lower levels, with some believing it is only a matter of time until one pops. O’Loughlin may be the most likely of the current crop of Aussie’s in the Tigers farm system to turn into a legitimate prospect. He has impressive size and could refine his body into that of a durable workhorse, and with that refinement his raw stuff could tick forward. He relies mostly on deception at this time and needs his upper-80s fastball velocity to bump to at least the low-90s, paired with improved control, to take the next step in his development.


    47. Matt Hall (LHP)

    As part of the Tigers’ rebuild in 2018, Hall was able to make his big league debut with some late-season bullpen appearances. Those appearances did nothing to enhance his resume and give a positive outlook on his big league future, but there’s still a chance Hall carves out a niche as a lefty specialist. He showed slightly improved velocity coming out of the bullpen in Detroit, consistently sitting in the 88-89 mph range, but he left too many balls in the middle of the plate and his slow, sweeping curveball was easily picked out by righties and lefties, alike. Hall has to find above-average command in the big leagues in order to have success, and he’ll get that chance with another shot in 2019.

    46. Sam McMillan (C)

    Given $1 million by the Tigers as a fifth-round pick in 2017, McMillan came out of the gates with a strong showing in the GCL during his debut campaign. Unfortunately, he gave back all those positive vibes with a really tough 2018 season that called into question every part of his game. At times, McMillan will flash the bat speed to generate a strong hit tool and gap power, along with the defensive chops to be a net positive behind the dish, but for the majority of last season he didn’t show any of those tools. It’s hard to completely lose sight of the fact that he’s a little over a year removed from a seven-figure bonus, but he’ll need to produce on the field next year to put some shine back on that prospect star.


    45. Tyler Alexander (LHP)

    There’s absolutely nothing flashy about Alexander’s profile, but he’s likely to see big league time in 2019, and he has a reasonable chance to carve out some innings as a durable arm that can swing between the rotation and the bullpen over the next few years. At his best, Alexander commands a fringy fastball that tops out at 92 MPH while also mixing a slider and changeup that can flash at average levels. Alexander has been durable the last two seasons, throwing right around 140 innings in each campaign, giving him the potential to eat back-end innings, particularly on a rebuilding club. The Tigers will likely look for Alexander to find success at Toledo before giving him a big league trial but expect to see him in Detroit at some point next year.


    44. Brock Deatherage (OF)

    Aside from a fantastic name and dominating professional debut – slashing .326/.385/.504 across three levels – Deatherage actually has some big league tools with a chance to carry him through the minor leagues. He’s loaded with strong tool grades across the board, including 70 speed, 60 raw power, 60 arm, and above-average defense in center field. His raw power plays down in games due to his propensity to swing and miss, namely on breaking balls in the lower part of and out of the zone, but there’s still enough there to make him a useful bat. Deatherage should head to Lakeland to start the 2019 season and his athleticism and tools are expected to standout yet again, making him one of the Tigers more intriguing new prospects.


    43. Jason Foley (RHP)

    Foley had prospect fans buzzing prior to his 2017 Tommy John surgery thanks to triple-digit heat, an above-average slider, and a splitter that played well off his two primary offerings. His injury set back his timeline to Detroit as he missed the entire 2018 season and will have to work his way back toward the upper minors (he was already at High-A when he went under the knife) to get back to being one of the high-end relief arms in the system. Foley’s prospect stock will climb quickly if he shows that his raw stuff has returned to pre-injury form, even if results are slow to follow as he regains his command and control.


    42. Gio Arriera (RHP)

    Arriera popped a little this year on a solid Connecticut squad, flashing 95-96 MPH heat and sitting in the low-90s throughout his starts. His curveball was an obvious above-average secondary pitch that was reliable day-in and day-out, and his changeup made progress over the course of the summer. There’s still work to be one with Arriera’s command profile, but he repeats his delivery well and should throw more quality strikes as he reaches maturity. Physically, Arriera is well-developed with a chance to log heavy innings as a #4 starter if his command steps forward and he avoids getting behind in the count.


    41. Kelvin Smith (SS)

    A 20th round pick last summer, Smith received a $140,000 signing bonus to forgo his commitment to Missouri and debut in the GCL. While his Mendoza-line average, limited power, and high strikeout rate may suggest there’s little here to be excited about, quite the opposite is true. Smith has legitimate shortstop tools, including a quick first step, good balance, soft hands, and developing instincts, leading most scouts to project him at the six long term. There’s above-average raw power in his bat and above-average speed once underway, giving him a chance for an impact offensive profile if he can develop a better concept of the strike zone and refine his game plan in the box.


    40. Jose DeLaCruz (OF)

    Signed at the outset of the international signing period for a shiny $1.8 million bonus, DeLaCruz is tooled up and has a chance to become an impact player at his peak. There’s little question he can handle center field with solid instincts for his age, plus speed, and a plus arm, giving him the type of up-the-middle profile the Tigers covet in young players. He can generate explosive contact to all fields but he must temper his aggressiveness in the box to develop his hit tool and make the most of all his tools. DeLaCruz will likely start his professional career with a debut in the Dominican Summer League next summer.


    39. Adinso Reyes (SS)

    It would be easy to flip-flop DeLaCruz and Reyes in these spots based on your preferences, but Reyes gets the slight edge due to his mature frame and natural strength that shines through on the field already. There are questions about his ability to stick at shortstop, with most projecting him to the hot corner, but Reyes has good actions on the dirt and a strong arm that should make him a quality defender wherever he ends up. His calling card is plus raw power that is explosive to the pull side. He generates his power with an easy swing and some loft, giving him a chance to bring a bunch of it into games as he gets used to seeing better breaking pitches and develops his approach.


    38. Reynaldo Rivera (OF/1B)

    Speaking of power, Rivera has some of the most impressive power in the Tigers system, flashing the ability to drive the ball out of any park in the land. His big raw power comes with some natural swing and miss that could be exacerbated as he faces premium arms at higher levels, but he showed some signs of progress as he adjusted last year. There’s little reason to believe Rivera – a big, lumbering guy – is much of an outfielder moving forward, but he’s shown some ability at first base in the past and should land at the position. As a left/right first base (likely) prospect, Rivera has almost no margin for error in his profile, but he’ll keep getting chances as long as he shows big raw before and during games.


    37. Jose Fernandez (LHP)

    Claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays in November, Fernandez figures to get plenty of chances in the Detroit bullpen in 2019. Fernandez is a pretty classic Tigers trash heap kind of signing as a mid-90s arm with good size and potential if he can just figure out how to command the ball. With a fastball up to 96-97 from the left side and a passable breaking ball, Fernandez could find a role as a second bullpen lefty or a middle innings reliever for the Tigers with a ceiling in the seventh inning long term. The Tigers will give him plenty of chances to carve out a big league role this year in the hopes that they found a future relief piece that helps them over the next few years.


    36. Alvaro Gonzalez (SS)

    Gonzalez was the Tigers premium signing during the 2017-2018 international signing period, inking a deal that included a signing bonus of $1 million. Gonzalez debuted in the Dominican Summer League in 2018 by posting a .245/.352/.362 line as a 17-year old. Embedded in that line, Gonzalez flashed potential for more raw power and a solid approach at the plate. He’s already filled out some from his listed 6-foot-1, 160 pounds, adding strength to his frame that should ultimately translate to more thump in his bat. The defensive home will remain a bit of a question until Gonzalez finishes growing, but there were some encouraging signs about his ability to stick at shortstop last summer.


    35. Bryan Garcia (RHP)

    Garcia was poised to make some serious noise in 2018 after blowing through four levels in 2017 thanks to a near triple-digit fastball, well-rounded secondary arsenal, and aggressive mentality on the mound. At his best, Garcia can both blow hitters away and keep them off balance with quality sequencing and execution. He’s got the potential to prove out as a premium bullpen piece assuming his raw stuff comes back to form as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Garcia went under the knife before spring training began last year and should be back on the bump in game situations early in the 2019 season. If he rounds back into form quickly, he could be on the fast track to Detroit.


    34. Tarik Skubal (LHP)

    Another Tommy John surgery survivor, Skubal went under the knife leading up to his sophomore season at Seattle in 2016. Once back on the mound he struggled to throw strikes but still flashed the tantalizing power arsenal that made him an intriguing prospect as a freshman. At his best, including during his pro debut this summer, Skubal consistently pumped fastballs that sat 94-95 MPH and touched as high as 97 MPH on several occasions. His breaking ball was tighter and more deceptive when he let it fly in shorter relief outings, giving him a second plus pitch. His control issues also vanished in short bursts, lending more and more credence to the belief that Skubal could rocket through the system if he stays in the bullpen full-time.


    33. Dustin Peterson (OF)

    Peterson was another late-season waiver claim by the Tigers, coming over from the Braves as the Tigers scoured the recycle bin in an effort to add talent to a still relatively thin system. Peterson’s calling card is the potential above-average hit and power tools, but he has been held back at the plate the last two years as he comes back from a hamate injury. In a perfect world, Peterson shows an ability to hit for solid average, get on base, and drive the ball to the gaps with occasional over-the-fence power. He’ll need all of that offensive projection to make it in the big leagues as he is limited to left field defensively. The most likely outcome for Peterson is that of a second division player or occasional big-league fill-in.


    32. Hugh Smith (RHP)

    The Tigers nabbed Smith as a rare sixth round pick out of a Division III school, largely because of his tall frame, fastball projection, and surprising athleticism. As he continues to grow into his relatively newfound height, Smith flashes a fastball that reaches 96 MPH and a slider that can show above-average. He mixes in a changeup and has played with a cutter at different times, giving him a potentially full arsenal of pitches. Here’s some concern over how his command will develop, but he’s shown surprising coordination for his size which is a positive sign. The Tigers kept Smith off the mound after signing him for $300,000 last summer, but he’s expected to make his debut early in the 2019 season, possibly with Low-A West Michigan.


    31. Wilkel Hernandez (RHP)

    Hernandez came to the Tigers as part of the package that sent Ian Kinsler to the Angels in 2017. His 2018 campaign didn’t include sparkling numbers, but he impressed evaluators by showing power stuff, strong mound presence, and generally handling himself well as a 19-year old in the Midwest League during the season’s second half. He’ll show a fastball that scrapes 96-97 and I saw it sit routinely at 94-95 mph last summer, backing it up with a potential above-average changeup. There’s some nominal feel for a curveball, but he’s yet to demonstrate a consistent ability to spin the ball to develop the pitch. There’s quite a split over what developmental path fits Hernandez best, with some believing he’s destined for the bullpen and others believing his fastball-changeup combination and young age portends a future as a starting pitcher. Hernandez will likely head back to West Michigan as an anchor to their rotation to start the 2019 season.
     
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  44. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    Just Missed

    51. 3B Pedro Martinez Jr.

    Martinez received an $800,000 bonus from the Tigers as an international free agent in 2017 because the team liked his bat and believed in his power potential. He made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2018 and struggled his way to a .224/.350/.306 line with just one homer in 47 games, while also committing 17 errors on defense for an unsightly .868 fielding percentage. That said, he posted an .830 OPS in 16 games after the DSL All Star break, and the 18-year-old son of a Hall-of-Famer will likely see time in the Gulf Coast League this season, where more scouts will be able to get a look at his tools.


    52. C Joey Morgan

    Morgan was a walk-on at the University of Washington, where he spent his first two years as a glove-first backstop before breaking out as the team’s best hitter as a Junior. His offensive output was still modest, but he was considered one of the best defensive backstops in the 2017 draft, and the Tigers tabbed him in the 3rd round. Little has gone right for him since. He hit just .217/.306/.307 in 87 games for the West Michigan Whitecaps last season, and more alarmingly, he appeared to suffer a bout of the yips, resulting in a caught stealing rate of just 22% and even some difficulty throwing the ball back to the mound. He’s still relatively young for a college catcher, and adversity is often the best teacher, but he has a long way to go to reach his modest ceiling as a backup catcher.


    53. OF Ulrich Bojarski

    Born in South Africa and raised in Australia, Bojarski didn’t starting playing baseball until he was 13. The Tigers signed him in July of 2016, and he made his pro debut the following season. Tall and lean, Bojarski comes from a family of triathletes and is blessed with the raw power, athleticism, and arm strength to profile as an ideal right fielder in the future. He remains raw in every aspect of the game, however, and he hit just .202/.281/.365 last year in 60 games split between three levels.


    54. LHP Kacey Murphy

    The Tigers tabbed Murphy in the 11th round of the 2018 draft, but he didn’t sign until a month later because he was busy helping his Arkansas Razorbacks to the College World Series Final. He gave up 11 earned runs in just 19 innings of pro ball last season, but he was likely worn down after throwing 70 more innings than the did as a Sophomore. Nothing Murphy throws stands out, with his fastball, changeup, and curve all grading out as fringe-average offerings, but he shows above-average control and he knows how to pitch. Murphy is only about six feet tall, but he has the sturdy build and thick thighs to eat innings, and he might be able to carve out a role as a back-end starter at the MLB level.


    55. OF Jimmy Mojica

    Part of Detroit’s 2016 international signing class, Mojica wasn’t a particularly big name, but he stood out early for his athleticism and solid-average tool across the board. He couldn’t turn that into production in 2017, posting a .555 OPS in 64 games in the DSL, but things started to click for him when he repeated the league last year. He got off to a scorching start, hitting .388/.462/.550 in 22 June games, but his OPS dropped by 200 points in July and another 200 points in August, and he finished the year with a .312/.381/.440 line. He remains an interesting name to know, but at this point his profile is too risky to make the Top 50.


    56. RHP Wladimir Pinto

    Pinto had one of the most disappointing seasons in the system last year, at least from a scouting standpoint. Two years ago he was flashing a fastball that flirted with triple digits and he backed it up with a curve that had the makings of a future plus pitch. Then he demolished opposing hitters in 2017, albeit in an injury-shortened season, and in 2018 he moved up a level to West Michigan and struck out 30 batters while giving up just four hits in 16 2/3 innings. But things unraveled when he was promoted again, with Florida State League hitters tagging him for 25 earned runs in 33 1/3 innings. His fastball lacked movement and lost velocity, and his once-impressive curve devolved into a slurve that only occasionally flashed below-average. He remains intriguing because of the raw stuff he once showed, but the player we saw in Lakeland is not a future big leaguer.



    Others of Note



    Some of these players are still borderline prospects, while others have simply been productive minor leaguers who have gained a bit of notoriety among those who follow the Tigers system.



    C Eliezer Alfonzo

    The Tigers don’t often promote position players from the DSL to the GCL in the middle of the season, but they sent Alfonzo north last year after he hit .391 with 20 walks and just 8 strikeouts in 33 DSL games. He found the going much tougher in the GCL, but he did hit his first pro home run there, and he continued to walk as much as he struck out. He’s undersized, and there are scores of players like him who never even make Double-A, but his bloodlines and his early production make Alfonzo an interesting name to remember.



    OF Jose Azocar

    Azocar makes this list simply because he was securely in the Top 50 for several years. The problem is, he’s essentially the same player he was in 2015. He’s still a terrific athlete who plays plus outfield defense and owns a very strong arm, but he also remains hyper aggressive at the plate, with almost no over-the-fence power. A demotion from Lakeland to West Michigan early last season seemed to help him, as he hit .330 upon his return to High-A in the second half of the year, but a career walk rate of just 3.5% and a career Isolated Power of just .074 mean he’s unlikely to find success at Double-A or higher.



    2B Jeremiah Burks

    Burks got some mention as a player we might want to sneak in the back of the Top 50, but he ultimately didn’t make the cut. A shortstop at Fresno State who only got 110 at-bats in his first two years of college, he broke out as a Junior, hitting .340 with nine home runs and 12 steals. He’s a plus athlete, but his skills are unrefined right now, so the organization will have to be patient with him. He’ll be 22 next year, but sending him to Low-A West Michigan would be a fairly aggressive assignment.



    UT Harold Castro

    Castro made a few Top 50 lists in the past thanks to a solid hit tool and good speed, but he quickly devolved from a prospect into a dependable organizational soldier. Last year he was rewarded with a promotion to Detroit, where he picked up three hits in ten at-bats, but he was promptly removed from the 40-man roster in the offseason. He may find his way to the majors again in an emergency, but it’s unlikely to happen in Detroit.



    RHP Mark Ecker

    When the Tigers took Ecker in the 5th round out of Texas A&M in 2016 there was some hope he’d be a fast-moving reliever who could pitch in the back end of an MLB bullpen. He did reach Double-A in his first full pro season, but he spent all of 2018 back in Erie, and a fastball/changeup mix that once looked promising now appears somewhat pedestrian. He can still dial his heater into the mid-90s, but it plays down because it doesn’t move much. Ecker’s breaking ball has improved a bit in pro ball, but it’s still inconsistent and rarely flashes average. With a dropping strikeout rate at the upper levels, Ecker now looks the part of a generic middle reliever who might not see the majors at all.



    OF Cam Gibson

    Cam Gibson has always been noteworthy because he’s a local product and the son of a Tigers legend, but has enough tools to be an interesting player in his own right. He owns an interesting mix of above-average raw power, plus speed, and solid plate discipline, but he lacks the hit tool to fully tap into his power, and as such he figures to top out as something of a tweener.



    SS Carlos Irigoyen

    Irigoyen received the third largest bonus in Detroit’s 2017 international class as a lanky shortstop with the chance to grow into some power. He didn’t showcase much in his first taste of pro ball, batting .264/.336/.298 in 33 games before finishing his season early due to injury. At this point there’s just not enough evidence to declare him a legitimate prospect, and the 17-year-old seems likely to repeat the DSL in 2019.



    RHP Xavier Javier

    Last year was something of a minor breakout for the lanky 20-year-old Xavier Javier, who can run his fastball into the mid-90s and backs it up with a developing curve. His season numbers don’t jump off the page, but he was spectacular in the DSL playoffs, giving up just one run on five hits and three walks while striking out 15 over 11 innings. That flash of brilliance, along with a frame that could easily carry 30 extra pounds, makes him an interesting player to watch in 2019.



    1B/3B Josh Lester

    From a statistical standpoint, Lester had one of the more impressive seasons in the system in 2018. A Little League World Series champ, the 13th rounder from 2015 moved up a level and managed to increase his power production and double his walk rate in 2018, all while maintaining his batting average and slightly lowering his strikeout rate. He certainly benefited from the friendly confines at UPMC Park, and his numbers were bolstered by an impressive 14-game stretch to end the season during which he hit .321 with 8 home runs. He’s deceptively athletic and he has a short swing, but he still profiles as a below-average hitter with fringe-average power. That said, the Tigers aren’t exactly flush with corner infield prospects, so Lester might get a look in an emergency.



    RHP Grayson Long

    Long was ranked in our top 30 heading into 2018, but he never threw an official pitch and eventually went under the knife in April because of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. He profiled as a back-end starter when he was healthy, using a solid three-pitch mix to eat innings, so any disruption to that makes for a very iffy profile as a prospect. He should be back on the mound in 2019, but there’s no way to know how effective he’ll be until he actually goes out there and pitches.



    SS Cole Peterson

    Peterson lasted until the 13th round of the 2017 draft because he was considered a glove-first shortstop with little offensive upside. That assessment has held true in pro ball, where he is capable of truly spectacular plays on a nightly basis, but lacks the strength and bat speed to impact the ball. In another era his glove might have been enough to get him to the majors, but he’s probably relegated to a career in the minors now.



    RHP John Schreiber

    As a local kid who used a funky sidearm deliver to flummox minor league hitters in 2017, John Schreiber is a great story. It remains to be seen if he’s a legitimate prospect. He jumped from Low-A to Double-A in 2018 and still posted very good numbers in 2018 -- a 2.48 ERA with 18 saves in 23 chances -- but his strikeout rate dropped by nearly 14% and Arizona Fall League Hitters didn’t seem to have any trouble catching up to his 88-92 mph sinkers and frisbee sliders in the mid-70s. Schreiber may very well see MLB time in the next year or two, but it seems at least as likely that his success to this point is the result of a gimmicky delivery that won’t work against more advanced hitters.



    C Gresuan Silverio

    As a switch-hitting catcher who stands out more for his bat and patience than his glove, Silverio shares a number of similarities with Eliezer Alfonzo. Silverio hit .331 in the GCL in 2017, but he found New York-Penn League pitchers far less accommodating last season, resulting in an unimpressive .232/.290/.304 line. He still has time to improve, but his defense also needs a lot of work, so Silverio has a long way to go to make the Top 50.



    OF Daniel Woodrow

    Woodrow had a terrific 2018, hitting his way out of Lakeland in just five games, nearly winning the Eastern League batting title (.317), and then finishing the Arizona Fall League with the second highest batting average (.371) and the second most steals (12). He’s a speedy outfielder who can handle center, and he has proven adept at making contact, but much like Cole Peterson, Woodrow appears to be a player from a different era. Only three regular MLB outfielders posted an Isolated Power below .100 in 2018, and Woodrow’s .082 ISO last year was 30 points higher than his previous career best. He might be able to carve out a role as a 4th or 5th outfielder, particularly with Detroit’s new emphasis on making contact, but it could be a tough needle to thread.
     
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  45. ~ taylor ~

    ~ taylor ~ Well-Known Member
    Donor TMB OG

    Why is this game starting 20 minutes late? Did they not plan on Opening Day ceremonies taking more than 3 seconds? They started at the scheduled first pitch time.
     
  46. ~ taylor ~

    ~ taylor ~ Well-Known Member
    Donor TMB OG

    Jack Morris's nose looks like he might booze a bit.
     
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  47. Joe Louis

    Joe Louis no thank you turkish, i'm sweet enough
    Donor TMB OG
    Michigan WolverinesDetroit Tigers

    JZ be spinning a gem :warn:
     
  48. DetroitNole

    DetroitNole Well-Known Member
    Donor

    I see FSD is not at all superstitious. Mentioning what is going on every other word and have it written on the screen
     
  49. MG2

    MG2 I like to give away joy for free
    Donor

    Regardless of what happens in this game, I like Gardenhire taking Zimmermann out after 7. He left starters in too long a lot last year trying to steal innings and hope this is a sign of progress.