Detroit Tigers Minor League Notes

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

Tigers ranked 24 by mcb-tb.

Detroit Tigers :
The one we all have been waiting for! Well, at least to those that are regular readers of this site. Detroit like Baltimore relies on a top 3 to impress people, but Detroit

 

[tigerfantroy]

Tigers Minor League Notes

Hey KC. Remember last year you posted some site where they took into account about six different sources and came up with a Top 20 from the combination of all of them. It probably hasn't been done yet because BA announces their Tiger Top 10 on Monday but I was curious if you heard anything

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

Hey KC. Remember last year you posted some site where they took into account about six different sources and came up with a Top 20 from the combination of all of them. It probably hasn't been done yet because BA announces their Tiger Top 10 on Monday but I was curious if you heard anything

I do remember there was a site, but don't remember from where.
Looked at the first few pages I carried over, but must have been earlier in the season. sorry troy. Maybe during 2012, of the sites I go to, it will show up again.

 

[tigerfantroy]

Tigers Minor League Notes

Thanks KC. Hope all is well with you. Looking forward to Monday

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

Thanks KC. Hope all is well with you. Looking forward to Monday

All is well Troy, and the best to you too.

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120112&content_id=26330142&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
Prospect Watch: Top 10 right-handed pitchers.
Pair of Pirates, D-backs, Tigers RHP among game's up-and-coming aces.
Mayo at mlb.com

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120113&content_id=26339048&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
Prospect Watch: Top 10 left-handed pitchers.
Drew Smyly makes the list.
from mlb.com

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2012/2612807.html
Baseball America's Tigers Top Ten Prospects.
Includes Background, Scouting Report, Future.

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120117&content_id=26367440&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
Prospect Watch: Top 10 third basemen. Nick Castellanos.
from the Tigers official site

 

[mjsb2]

Tigers Minor League Notes

KalineCountry[/color]]http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2012/2612807.html
Baseball America's Tigers Top Ten Prospects.
Includes Background, Scouting Report, Future.

Anyone wanna post it?

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

KalineCountry[/color]]http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2012/2612807.html
Baseball America's Tigers Top Ten Prospects.
Includes Background, Scouting Report, Future.

Anyone wanna post it?

Doesn't the link open for you?

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

1. Jacob Turner
Background: Turner was a dominant high school pitcher both for Westminster Christian Academy (St. Louis) and on the showcase circuit. At the 2008 Aflac All-American Game, he struck out five straight hitters. While at Westminster Christian, he benefited from the tutelage of pitching coach Todd Worrell, a former all-star closer, and also soaked up knowledge from ex-big leaguers Andy Benes and Mike Matheny, who each had sons on the team. Though Turner's signability worried some clubs at the time, the Tigers were undeterred and drafted him with the ninth overall pick in 2009. They were able to lure him away from a North Carolina commitment with a $5.5 million big league contract that included a $4.7 million bonus, a record at the time for a prep pitcher. He pitched well at two Class A stops during his first season in pro ball in 2010, then pitched in the Futures Game and made an emergency start for Detroit last July. The first high school pick from the 2009 draft to reach the majors, Turner returned to Detroit for two more starts in September.

Scouting Report: Turner is still just 20 and extremely polished for his age, showing remarkable feel for pitching and maturity. Big and athletic, he repeats his smooth delivery well and is a prolific strike-thrower, averaging just 2.2 walks per nine innings as a pro. He works from a three-quarters arm slot and gets good angle on his two- and four-seam fastballs. Turner sits at 90-94 mph and touches 95 with late, heavy life, which helps him keep the ball on the ground and in the ballpark. His fastball usually isn't a swing-and-miss pitch but his curveball and his changeup both can miss bats and grade from average to plus. Turner's curveball is a high-70s hammer at times though still inconsistent, and he leaned on it more than his changeup when he got to the big leagues. There are some scouts who think that his changeup could end up being just as good if not better than his curve. He sells his changeup with deceptive arm speed and, while in the minors, showed a willingness to throw it even when behind in the count. Turner has a tall, slender frame and will have to continue to strengthen his body to endure the grind of the long pro season. He has had minor elbow and shoulder stiffness early in 2011, but he recovered easily and never has had any major health concerns.

The Future: Detroit is looking for a fifth starter for 2012 and Turner could compete for that job during spring training. Turner wasn't quite ready when the Tigers called him up last year in July, but he cruised at Triple-A Toledo after they sent him back down to the Mud Hens. The most likely scenario is that Turner opens 2012 in Triple-A and arrives in the majors quickly if he is able to get off to a good start out of the gate. While he doesn't have the pure stuff of a true ace pitcher, he has the repertoire and command to be a No. 2 or 3 starter in the big leagues. While he didn't reach Detroit quite as fast as fellow high school first-rounder Rick Porcello, Turner has better stuff and a brighter future.

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

2. Nick Castellanos
Background: The Tigers lost their 2010 first-round pick after signing Jose Valverde as a free agent prior to the season but still landed one of the top players on their board with their first selection (44th overall). Castellanos slid due to his bonus demands, then signed at the Aug. 16 deadline for a supplemental first-round record $3.45 million. After a slow start in April, Castellanos led the low Class A Midwest League with 158 hits in 2011.

Scouting Report: Castellanos has a good swing and hitting instincts, gets great extension and uses the opposite field well. Though he hit .312 last year, he also struck out 130 times, in part because he tends to chase pitches He showed more plate discipline and a better approach as the season went on, making in-game adjustments and staying inside the ball better. Castellanos isn't a major home run threat yet but barrels the ball well and tied for second in the MWL with 36 doubles. Once he gets stronger, pulls more pitches and adds more backspin, he should have at least average power and perhaps more. A high school shortstop, he's learning to play third base. He has solid speed, moves well and while there's length to his arm stroke, his throws have good carry.

The Future: Castellanos has all-star potential but needs at least two more years before he's ready for Detroit. He'll head to high Class A Lakeland in 2012.

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

3. Drew Smyly
Background: Smyly parlayed his extra leverage as a draft-eligible sophomore into a $1.1 million bonus as a second-rounder in 2010. Making his pro debut in 2011, he reached Double-A Erie in July and allowed just six earned runs in eight outings. After the season, he threw 17 shutout innings for Team USA at the World Cup and Pan American Games.

Scouting Report: Smyly has an advanced understanding of how to attack hitters. He throws his fastball at 87-92 mph with slight tailing life, commanding it down in the zone to get grounders. He uses both a curveball and a slider, with scouts split on which is more effective. He also has a splitter-like changeup and a mid-80s cutter that helps him against righthanders. Smyly repeats his easy delivery and maintains a consistent high three-quarters arm slot, making it difficult for hitters to figure out what he's throwing. He redshirted in his first season at Arkansas with a stress fracture in his elbow and missed six weeks early last year with a sore arm, so he has to prove he can handle a starter's workload.

The Future: The Tigers aren't afraid to fast-track their pitching prospects, and Smyly's polish and performance merit a swift rise. A future No. 3 or 4 starter, he could open 2012 in Triple-A and finish it in the big league rotation.

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

4. Casey Crosby
Background: Crosby signed for $748,500 as a fifth-round pick in 2007, then hurt his elbow during instructional league that fall. Tommy John surgery sidelined him for most of 2008 and swelling in his elbow cost him most of 2010, though he didn't require a second operation. His 132 innings in Double-A last year exceeded his previous total of 122 in three pro seasons.

Scouting Report: Crosby throws two- and four-seam fastballs, working at 92-94 mph with the ability to hit 96. His size helps him get good downhill plane, which leads to swings and misses and groundouts. His curveball flashes plus potential with sharp bite and depth, though at times it can get slurvy. He throws his changeup with good arm speed and sink. Crosby still needs to make significant strides with throwing strikes. He tried to be too fine with his pitches against Double-A hitters. He needs to repeat his mechanics better, and his athleticism should help him make adjustments with his lower half in his delivery.

The Future: Staying healthy for a full season was a significant step for Crosby, though his health and control issues still may land him in the bullpen. The Tigers will continue to develop him as a starter, though it's possible he could reach the majors in 2012 if used as a reliever. Protected on the 40-man roster in November, he'll advance to Triple-A.

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

5. Andy Oliver
Background: Oliver sued the NCAA in 2008 after it suspended him for having an adviser while negotiating with the Twins when they drafted him out of high school. Reinstated after winning the lawsuit, he received a $750,000 settlement and signed for $1.495 million as a second-rounder in 2009. He has pitched in the majors in each of his two pro seasons, but hasn't had the control to survive there.

Scouting Report: Oliver's best pitch is his 92-96 mph fastball, though his inability to command his heater is one of his biggest obstacles. He couldn't overpower big league hitters, who pounded him when he couldn't locate his heater. He once had a plus curveball in college, but he now has a below-average slider. His changeup is inconsistent but flashes average. The Tigers haven't helped Oliver by rushing him to the big leagues before he was ready. He tinkered too much with his pitches after getting sent back down to Triple-A last June.

The Future: Like Casey Crosby, Oliver is a power lefty who needs to throw more strikes Scouts seem more optimistic about Crosby's chances to do so. Without a reliable breaking ball, Oliver's bullpen utility might be limited, so Detroit would like him to figure out how to command his fastball and become an effective starter.

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

6. Brenny Paulino
Background: As a Dominican amateur, Paulino had an 84-86 mph fastball and trouble finding the strike zone. The Tigers saw a tall, skinny righthander with an extremely loose arm and the chance to add considerable velocity, so they signed him for $100,000. He emerged as one of the top pitching prospects in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2011.

Scouting Report: Paulino has grown taller and gained weight since signing, helping him add roughly 10 mph. He sat at 92-95 mph last year and peaked at 97 while holding his velocity deep into outings. Because his frame has more room to add strength, some scouts believe he could throw even harder in the future. His four-seamer has good life, generating swings and misses when he throws it in the strike zone. Paulino's curveball has made strides but is still inconsistent, and his changeup is still below average. His control improved markedly in 2011, though it still has a ways to go and he's prone to bouts of wildness. His long arms help him get angle and leverage.

The Future: Paulino has the frame and arm speed to become a starter with a power arsenal. He'll need to refine his secondary pitches and control to reach his ceiling. Years away from the majors, he'll make the jump to low Class A in 2012.

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

7. Rob Brantly
Background: Brantly's performance has been up and down since he signed for $330,300 as a sophomore-eligible third-round pick in 2010. He was mediocre at low Class A West Michigan in his pro debut but much improved when he opened last season there. He struggled after a July promotion to Lakeland, then hit .388 in 15 Arizona Fall League games.

Scouting Report: Brantly is an offensive-oriented catcher with a short lefthanded swing. He has balanced approach and and makes consistent contact to all fields, though he lacks patience. His swing is geared more toward line drives than loft power, but he has enough strength to hit 10-15 homers per season. Though he's a well below-average runner, Brantly is athletic for a catcher. He has solid catch-and-throw skills and still is working on his game-calling, blocking and receiving. His quick release helps his average arm play up, and he threw out 36 percent of basestealers last season.

The Future: The Tigers project Brantly as an everyday catcher, though other teams see him as an bat-first backup in the big leagues. He still has to prove he can hit high Class A pitching, though the Tigers may push him to Double-A to begin 2012.

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

8. Alex Burgos
Background: Burgos pitched the JC of Florida to the 2010 Junior College World Series, earning juco all-America honors by going 13-2, 2.07 with 115 strikeouts in 100 innings. He has put up similar numbers in pro ball since signing for $152,100 as a fifth-round pick. He didn't realize the offseason preparation needed to be physically ready for pro ball, so the Tigers held him back in extended spring training last year until June, after which he was one of the Midwest League's best pitchers.

Scouting Report: Burgos has a small frame and fairly average stuff, but he mixes five pitches to keep hitters off balance. He has some deception, changes speeds well and attacks hitters from different angles. He throws an 87-93 mph fastball with two-seam action and commands it well. He has nice feel for his changeup, a plus pitch at times. Burgos also has a pair of fringy breaking balls in his curveball and slider, and he also owns a cutter. He eventually may go to just one breaking pitch to focus on its development. He held lefties to a .152/.211/.205 line in 2011.

The Future: While Burgos has a tiny frame, he's lefthanded and has enough stuff to remain a starter. If he refines his pitches, he has the upside of a No. 3 starter, but more realistically he'll be a No. 4. He'll open 2012 in high Class A.

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

9. James McCann
Background: The Tigers gave up their 2011 first-round pick as compensation for free agent Victor Martinez, so their first choice didn't come until No. 76. They took McCann, a defensive-minded catcher who hit .306 with six homers as an Arkansas junior. He signed for $577,900, which was exactly $100,000 over MLB's slot recommendation.

Scouting Report: While he isn't as advanced offensively as Rob Brantly, McCann gets better reviews for his work behind the plate. He has a strong frame, a solid arm and leadership and game-calling skills. Some scouts who saw him as an amateur labeled him a fringy receiver, but the Tigers believe he's solid in that regard. McCann's bat is his biggest question. His swing can get long and he has trouble catching up to good velocity. He projects as a .260 hitter who can take advantage of mistakes and produce some gap power. He's a below-average runner.

The Future: McCann doesn't have any standout tools, but he has the skills to become a big league regular if his bat develops. If not, his defense makes him an attractive option as a backup. Where Detroit sends Brantly will affect McCann's 2012 assignment, but he figures to spend his first full pro season in Class A.

 

[kalinecountry]

Tigers Minor League Notes

10. Avisail Garcia
Background: Garcia was one of Detroit's top international signings in 2007, receiving a $200,000 bonus. He hit well in the Rookie-level Venezuelan Summer League in his 2008 pro debut, but that was the last time he produced good offensive numbers. The Tigers have pushed him aggressively and he has batted .271/.298/.391 in three seasons in the United States.

Scouting Report: While scouts haven't come around on Garcia's hitting, he draws their interest with his big frame and his tools. The ball jumps off his bat in batting practice, where he shows above-average raw power, though he does it more with strength than pure bat speed. He showed more usable power in 2011 as he learned to get himself better pitches to hit, but he still has a long ways to go. Garcia struggles against breaking balls, which will limit his on-base percentage and result in a high strikeout rate. He has the physical ability to be a plus defender in right field, running well for his size and possessing an arm that earns 70 grades on the 20-80 scouting scale.

The Future: Garcia was born eight days before the Padres' Rymer Liriano, a toolsy outfielder who finally put his offensive game together in low Class A last year. The Tigers hope for a similar breakout for Garcia in 2012, when he would be best served returning to high Class A. They protected him on their 40-man roster in November.