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Tigers named Ryan Garko as the club’s Vice President of Player Development and Assistant GM

https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/04/11/watercooler-wednesday-80/
WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY.
Totally Tigers

Today, another opportunity for readers to discuss the hottest topics in a forum where thoughtful dialog and a variety of opinions are welcomed.

Let?s create some running conversational threads. And for those of you back in actual offices, here?s a question to take with you ? or use via Zoom ? as you talk to your co-workers.

Here is today?s topic??..

For multiple years now, the Detroit Tigers have failed to control the strike zone, leading them to sit at the bottom of most offensive categories. Last year, they set a record for lowest offense.

PoBO Scott Harris said that controlling the strike zone ? on both sides of the plate ? is the priority. Teams with hitters who do that best score more runs and get to play October baseball.

In the Tigers first 9 games of this year, they have MLB?s 3rd highest strikeout rate (26.9%), 5th lowest walk rate (7.4%), 5th highest chase rate (32.4%) and the sixth-lowest contact rate (73.5%).

The team hired Anthony Iapoce, a well-known hitting guru to take over AAA Toledo and instill a more disciplined hitting strategy with their prospects. They also hired well-known hitting coaches for the MLB level.

But it does take time for coaches to get to know players and figure out how to best advise them. And the learning process is not linear. It takes awhile for players to practice at a level where new techniques come more easily and consistently.

But how much change can Detroit?s new coaches inspire? Do results come mainly from coaching or from talent? Or is it a bit of both?

Currently, we are seeing very little proof that Detroit?s hitters have changed their approach at the plate. Is it too early?

Will it take longer? Or is this something that is too hard to change?

When do you believe we will start to see fewer strikeouts, more walks and a lower chase rate?
When do you believe we will start to see improvement in controlling the strike zone?

1. 1-2 months.

2. Second half of the season.

3. Not with this current group of players.

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/04/16/monday-musings-63/
MONDAY MUSINGS.
Totally Tigers

Throughout the week, there are so many smaller stories hitting the media. They may be bite-size, but often they are just as important as the headline-grabbing news. Sometimes, even more.

And that?s what brings me to today. A way to bring them out in the open and invite conversation about some of these subjects.

And that?s the plan for Mondays. Keeping track of these mighty little bits that hit my radar throughout the week and sharing them with you today because I know one or more will also resonate with you. So, let?s kick off this week?s musings?
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/04/20/five-for-friday-64/
FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

Detroit Tigers? PoBO Scott Harris has hinted in a variety of ways that this year?s roster may be churning at a regular pace as players try to meet the goals of producing offensively and defensively. Not to mention pitchers who have to produce solid innings.

We?ve already seen a few changes, mostly due to injuries.

But who is the most likely of the current 26-man roster to find themselves back in Toledo ? or worse? Who has the most pressure placed upon them to produce?

I?ve got my top 5 list.
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/04/24/monday-musings-64/
MONDAY MUSINGS.
Totally Tigers

Throughout the week, there are so many smaller stories hitting the media. They may be bite-size, but often they are just as important as the headline-grabbing news. Sometimes, even more.

And that?s what brings me to today. A way to bring them out in the open and invite conversation about some of these subjects.

And that?s the plan for Mondays. Keeping track of these mighty little bits that hit my radar throughout the week and sharing them with you today because I know one or more will also resonate with you. So, let?s kick off this week?s musings?
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/04/28/saturday-survey-75/
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

It is becoming increasingly apparent that Jonathan Schoop?s struggles from last year are continuing this year. Early on, A. J. Hinch started platooning him. And given Javy Baez?s injury, Schoop had to take his place in the lineup the other day to disappointing results.

What should the Tigers do? Remove him from the roster in favor of a current player? If so, then another roster move will need to be made and positions will need to be shuffled. Or should they wait a little longer until a player from AAA is ready to take over?

For the record, Justyn -Henry Malloy is not a candidate yet given he?s only played 23 games in AAA.

How each player bats will be a factor. So will their slash lines. (If you didn?t catch the recent blog on how to interpret slash lines, here it is: https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/04/24/the-four-keys-of-player-evaluation/ )

Here are the stats for each potential choice:

Jonathan Schoop (RH) .205/.286/.227/.513

Ryan Kreidler (RH) .111/.111/.111/.222 (Detroit stats only)

Nick Maton (LH) .149/.259/.351/.610

Zach McKinstry (LH) .265/.321/.449/.770

What should the Tigers do about Jonathan Schoop?
Keep him and wait for AAA prospect.
Replace him with Ryan Kreidler.
Replace him with Nick Maton (who would need to move).
Replace him with Zach McKinstry.
Vote
 
Last edited:
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/04/29/deeper-discussions-70/
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

The Detroit Tigers continue their significant drought at the plate. In a search for answers, many are noticing how well Justyn-Henry Malloy is doing in Toledo. His slash line is a very impressive .358/.495/.519/1.014 (through Thursday).

However, Malloy has only played in 23 games (through Thursday) at the AAA level. And we know that how well you hit in the minors cannot be translated into how well you will do in the majors.

Malloy?s other issue is his defense. He?s very rough at 3B. There is some talk that the Tigers may move him to another position.

There is concern based upon last year?s example when Spencer Torkelson was brought up to Detroit too early and struggled the entire year while also being demoted back to Toledo. It is believed that his early debut set him back in his development.

But the Tigers are desperate for offense. What should they do?

Should they promote Malloy or give him more time in Toledo?

Today?s blog addresses this dilemma and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!

For this one blog only, you?ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can respond to as many other readers as you want.

TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.

Ready?

Should the Tigers bring up Justyn-Henry Malloy?

1. Yes, now.

2. No, he needs more experience at AAA.

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/05/04/five-for-friday-66/
FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

The Tigers have played just over a month of baseball so it?s time to turn our attention to what we?re now seeing.

As I?ve written over the past couple weeks, this team?s performance is going to resemble that of a roller coaster. Some great games followed by disappointing performances. Slow starts by some players who then start to blossom. And impressive starts that ended up being less so.

And I don?t expect it to change.

I can tell you that a number of players have grown on me so far. And yes, some players I?ve become disappointed in. All of this could change once again.

But in the meantime, here?s a challenge for all of us. It involves positional players only as we haven?t seen a bigger sampling of pitchers quite yet.

If you could pick only 5 positional players to hang onto going forward as the building blocks of this team, who would you pick? They must have spent at least some time on the 26-man roster. And yes, you can include those on the IL.

We?ll compile results and report back. But please, for tabulation purposes, submit your list in alphabetical order.

Without further adieu, here is mine:
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/05/09/watercooler-wednesday-84/
WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY.
Totally Tigers

Ever since Al Avila was promoted to GM, the Tigers (along with their now former drafting personnel) have drafted starting pitching almost exclusively for 8 years. They believed that this was the fastest way back to contention.

Since then, none of the 7 starting pitchers drafted and/or developed remaining within the organization have been a permanent part of the rotation. There were many injuries and also surgeries that played a role in assembling a new starting rotation.

Currently, there are 2 pitchers recovering from surgery. Another pitcher with undetermined arm problems that has kept him on the IL. And 1 with a broken foot.

One pitcher has just returned from Tommy John surgery.

Currently, there are 2 pitchers on the starting rotation but their ascension was a result of other pitchers? injuries.

Here is the breakdown of each starting pitcher drafted/developed by the Tigers. The first date refers to when they were drafted. The second date marks their MLB debut.

Beau Brieske (2019 ? 2022) ? An arm injury and current unknown IL stint

Alex Faedo (2017 ? 2022) ? Current starting rotation

Matt Manning (2016 ? 2021) ? 60-day IL with broken foot

Casey Mize ( 2018 ? 2020) ? 60?day IL with Tommy John and back surgeries

Tarik Skubal (2018 ? 2020) ? 60-day IL with flexor tendon surgery

Spencer Turnbull (2014 ? 2018) ? Just returned from TJ surgery and sent to minors

Joey Wentz (2016 ? 2022) ? Current starting rotation

Out of these 7, how many do you believe will eventually become a regular member of the Tigers starting rotation?

How many of these 7 pitchers will become regular members of the starting rotation?

1. 5-7

2. 3-4

3. 1-2

4. None

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/05/11/five-for-friday-67/
FIVE FOR FRIDAY.
Totally Tigers

Last Friday, we asked readers to name their top 5 positional player picks as building blocks for this team going forward. To qualify, each of them had to have spent some time on the 26-man roster. Those currently on the IL also qualify.

So who made the list? Here are the top 5 in order according to the votes cast:

THE TOP

RILEY GREENE

MATT VIERLING

KERRY CARPENTER

JAKE ROGERS

ZACH McKINSTRY

It was almost a dead heat between Greene and Vierling. They received the most votes by far. Note that 4 of the 5 weren?t on last year?s roster (Carpenter?s September call-up doesn?t count).

RUNNERS UP

SPENCER TORKELSON

JAVIER BAEZ

ERIC HAASE

There was a big gap between the first group and this one. All three here were very close in voting.

NEEDING TO STEP IT UP

ZACK SHORT

NICK MATON

AKIL BADDOO

ANDY IBANEZ

Three or fewer votes for each of these players.

For the record, 6 of us picked the identical group that got the most votes. Joining me is McWatt, KJO, David Varwig, Chief and dslwat. Congrats!
Your honorary GM credentials are in the mail?.

What do you all think of these results? Has the Tigers? current play changed your minds at all?
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/05/12/saturday-survey-77/
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

After a horrible start to the year and ending up as MLB?s 2nd worst team, the Tigers have gone on a prolonged winning streak and currently sit just 3 games (through Thursday) out of 1st place. They have won 6 of their last 8 series.

Granted, they are probably unlikely to keep up this current pace, but doesn?t their performance so far have you re-thinking how this year may go?

PECOTA is considered to be the best projection system in baseball and they have the Tigers winning 65 games while losing 97. It is not determined via hunches but uses a complex system of calculations that usually end up being mostly correct.

What do you think about the Tigers chances this year? Will they perform similar to last year in which they finished 66-96? Will they be marginally better? Will they take a big step forward (15+ more wins) in the win column?

How well do you believe the Detroit Tigers will perform this year?

1. Similar to last year.

2. Marginally better than last year.

3. Significantly better than last year.

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/05/19/saturday-survey-78/
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

While they are slowly improving, the Detroit Tigers still have a significant issue with their offense. Several players, along with Miguel Cabrera, are currently struggling mightily at the plate.

Meanwhile, Justyn-Henry Malloy is doing great things down in Toledo. He is hitting over .300 and has one of the team?s best slash lines. He leads the club in HRs and RBIs. But he also is #1 in strikeouts.

The team has said that he still struggles against certain types of pitches. But the greatest concern is his defensive skills. He is improving, however he currently is still considered to be weak with a glove.

Obviously, success in AAA does not guarantee success in the majors. There is a big jump from the minors to the majors. And with Malloy, he?s only played in 41 games and had 144 at-bats (through Thursday?s games).

Many don?t consider this to be enough experience. Even Spencer Torkelson had over 200 at-bats before he was promoted to Detroit and it was a big part of the reason why he struggled so much last year. The Tigers don?t want Malloy potentially struggling in Detroit and setting his development back.

If the Tigers do bring him up, where would they put him? As a rookie, he would not be playing every day. The DH position currently is being filled by Miguel Cabrera and Kerry Carpenter (who is about to return from the IL).

Given all of this, what should the Tigers do with Justyn-Henry?

What should the Tigers do with Justyn-Henry Malloy?

1. Bring him up now.

2. Bring him up mid-summer.

3. Bring him up late summer.

4. Wait until next year to bring him up.

VOTE
 
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