Embed from Getty Images “I’m saying, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila said. This season will be different in Detroit. Yes, there will be plenty on losses. But there will also be anticipation as Tigers top prospects continue to grow.
The Detroit Tigers are coming off back-to-back 98-loss seasons, the third-worst two-year stretch in the franchise’s 118-year history. Under Avila’s watch the Tigers have quietly built a farm system on the rise. He has not shy sharing the rebuild process with fans and media.
In fact the Tigers are currently in MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 rankings . The crown jewel being Tigers pitching prospects. Some like Spencer Turnbull and Kyle Funkhouser should arrive at Comerica Park this summer.
Tigers farm director Dave Owen, who has been with the organization since 2011, concurs that the system is stronger than it has been in years. “We’re getting there. The pitching is maybe a little ahead at this point, but we’re making progress with position players, too. We’re getting guys who will be able to contribute.” Detroit is expecting contributions soon.
Al Avila as mentioned “We’ve got guys who already either here or knocking on the door here and you have guys coming, who are not too far away — pitching wise.” Another good sign.
As players continue to develop this season, there is now a finish line. “Where we don’t have young guys ready, we went out and got veterans to plug in for now,” Avila said. “Now, we are looking at Isaac Paredes, Daz Cameron, Jake Rogers, those guys are, right now, the next wave. Is it going to be at the end of this year, 2020 or ’21? I can’t tell you. But they are right there.”
With eyes on the minor leagues, This will be one of the last summers of waiting.
