Tag: Detroit Tigers

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The Detroit Tigers select Riley Greene in the first round of the 2019 MLB draft

Embed from Getty Images In a minor league pipeline with the top rated pitching, the Detroit Tigers needed to add bats in this years MLB draft. Because this is the worst draft in 27 years for pitching the Tigers scouts got to work. They drafted Riley Greene, out of Hagerty (Florida) High School.

While drafting any player in any sport is a bit of a crap-shoot. There is high risk, high reward to picking players who are just fresh from completing High School. Yet, that is what the Detroit Tigers did last night.

Riley Greene, is a left-handed hitter. He has perhaps the most beautiful swing that I have seen from a lefty in a long time. Greene does not reach for pitches he has a firm grasp of the strike zone. Another great attribute Riley Green has, is he does not pull his head off the ball when swinging.

Detroit scouts believe Greene will fill out to 6′ 3″. Detroit has a long history of liking big (6′ 3″ and above) outfielders. Riley Greene is both athletic and versatile enough to be able to handle all three outfield positions. He grades as a 50 tools in the field. That is a fancy grade for Greene is above average in the field.

No we get to the hitting. Riley Greene was the best prep hitter in this years draft. But in the big picture. Greene was one of the top 4 hitters in the entire draft. Right now Riley grades at 60 contact and 60 power. Every baseball scout said when Greene is fully developed he will be 70 tools in both offensive categories. That is the max.

The one drawback is his lack of speed. Greene will not steal a lot of bases. With his bat it will not matter. He will hit above .300 and have 20+ homeruns.

The fact he was still on the board when Detroit picked made Tigers general manager Al Avila’s decision easy. The Detroit Tigers got the big bat that will balance their batting lineup post rebuild.

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The Detroit Tigers are proving rebuilds are no fun

Embed from Getty Images Having good prospects is well and all, however when the current Detroit Tigers are in a seven game losing streak the prospects seem a long way off. Rebuilds are no fun.

It was never going to be a good season for the Detroit Tigers. But on paper it should not be or have been this bad. The Tigers are getting decent pitching, not great mind you but decent. The Tigers can not hit this season.

When they are hitting no one is on base to knock in. It has not been pretty as of late in Motown. The Tigers currently sit 9 games under .500 and 12.5 back in the standing, good for second to last in the American League Central.

Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer were brought in as free agents. The hope was that both former All-Star players would add stability both in the field and in the batting lineup. Mercer is hitting .206, with 1 home run and 3 R.B.I.’s. While Harrison is hitting .161, with 1 home run and 8 R.B.I.’s.

It is not on those two players only. But that is just a microcosm highlight of what is taking place this spring heading into summer at Comerica Park. Not good, not fun. Growing pains were going to take place. But this was not the predicted level of pains.

While it is good for the organization top prospects are performing well. Some are also struggling, which is to be expected as they figure things out at a new baseball level.

Yet, fans in Detroit do not care about what is going on in Grand Rapids Michigan, Lakeland Florida, Erie P.A., or Toledo Ohio. It is hard to root for prospects to develop when players that should be developed and are getting paid very well are failing on such a large scale.

But that should be the fans focus. It is the Detroit Tigers front office focus as well. It is all about prospects. Most Detroit area media members want to talk about Casey Mize or Matt Manning or another prized prospect. That is what this season is in Detroit.

Next season will see the arrival of some of those prospects and the sun will shine again. Right now it is dark.

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Tarik Skubal, maybe the steal of 2018 draft for the Detroit Tigers

Embed from Getty Images For the Detroit Tigers the 2018 MLB draft, most of the focus has been on Casey Mize, the first-overall selection. For good reason. Other players from the draft class have generated headlines and buzz: outfielder Parker Meadows (second round), second baseman Kody Clemens (third round) and outfielder Brock Deatherage (10th round).

It is starting to look like the Tigers found a gem in the ninth round.  A pitcher who keeps turning heads: Tarik Skubal, a left-handed pitcher, whose fastball touches 95 m.p.h.

Skubal has 41 strikeouts for Single-A Lakeland, that not only leads the Florida State League but ranks 10th in all of minor league baseball. Skubal was a 2015 College Baseball Freshman All American at Seattle University. Skubal redshirted in 2017 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He came back and regained his velocity, recording 106 strikeouts in 80 innings but fought and struggled with his command, walking 56. Those walks might have scared off other teams, but the Detroit Tigers scouts saw enough in the left handed pitcher and took him in the ninth round.

Since  joining the Tigers,Tarik Skubal  has had no control issues. He bounced through three levels of the minor leagues last year, dominating along the way. If Tarik continues to develop, at his current rate it will be an all out draft pick steal for the Tigers organization.

It is not often players selected ninth round turn out in the major leagues. This is different. Tarik Skubal is starting to look like the Tigers found a gem.

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Detroit Tigers prospect Casey Mize wasted no time in being promoted

Embed from Getty Images The anticipation, has been met. Detroit Tigers top prospect Casey Mize needed just four starts at Single-A to show he simply did not belong. The buzz remained. Not just for Mize, but for the organization’s pitching prospects as a whole, including right-handers Matt Manning and Alex Faedo.

“Have you seen what these guys are doing in the minors?” pitching coach Rick Anderson asked the Detroit media last Wednesday afternoon. The Detroit Tigers decided  to promote Mize to Double-A Erie. Casey Mize, 21, allowed one run on seven hits in 26 innings for Class A Lakeland, posting an 0.35 ERA and 0.308 WHIP in four starts. He struck out 25 batters and walked one.

Upon doing so the Eris Seawolves now have Mize, as well as first-round draft picks Matt Manning (2016) and Alex Faedo (2017). It goes without saying Erie has one of the minor leagues’ most formidable starting rotations. “Being part of that rotation is really cool,” Casey Mize said. “I know what we could be capable of.”

The promotion of Mize leaves the possibility he could receive another by the end of the season, to Triple-A Toledo, where he will face more refined hitters, and potentially receive a September, Detroit call-up.  The Detroit Tigers,  though they made an early move, will not push the issue. Only saying they want all prospects to feel good before moving them along in the system.

It is  more likely that Mize pitches with the SeaWolves for the majority of this season, perhaps finishing up with a few starts in Toledo, which in turn could put him in line to compete for a starting rotation with the Tigers next season.

“By the time we get to next year, I think he’ll be pushing the envelope,”  Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. The last Detroit the last Tigers pitcher with similar age, ability, and experience  Justin Verlander skipped Toledo entirely.

While things are rough in Detroit. The Tigers minor league prospects are putting on a show. Now with three of the teams top pitching prospects in Erie PA things are looking up for the Tigers even more.

 

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Detroit Tigers top prospects are on fire

Embed from Getty Images Things are starting to shape up for the Detroit Tigers top prospects. This is good news for the Tigers organization as a whole. Top minor leaguers are on fire.

Parker Meadows who the Detroit Tigers took  in the second round of the 2018 draft on Friday night when he hit an inside-the-park home run for the West Michigan Whitecaps. Speed, hit ability defense Meadows has all the tools. “For me, I see his ceiling as a high ceiling,” Tigers general manager Al Avila told me earlier this spring. “Why? Because of his athleticism.

Daz  Cameron who is in Triple-A Toledo,  entered Sunday hitting .257 in Toledo with four extra-base hits in nine games. Cameron has also flashed the leather with great defense.

Pitcher Beau Burrows also with the Mud Hens,  has had a hot start for dominating a pair of games. He struck out 12 in 10 ⅓ innings of work, allowing just one unearned run. The Tigers’ top pick in the 2015 draft has shown control, not walking any batters to open the season. He should get a showcase start soon in Motown.

Alex Faedo, in Erie PA with the Seawolves, and was  the Tigers’ top pick in 2017, has been just as impressive as Burrows. Faedo struck out 15 in his first 12 innings of work, allowing two runs and not walking anybody.

Not to be outdone, 2016 top pick Matt Manning also with the Seawolves, struck out 15 in his first 12 innings over two games. He’s allowed three walks, but just two hits and one earned run.

Casey Mize, the Tigers No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, is keeping pace with the other sizzling starting performances by Tigers prospects. He started the season with 15 strikeouts in 11 innings of work and didn’t walk anybody. and should be moved to Double-A very soon.

 

To recap those hot starts, Mize, Manning, Burrows and Faedo combined for 57 strikeouts in 45 ⅓ innings, with just five walks. Reasons for Detroit Tigers fans to be excited.

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Detroit Tigers to debut “Players Only” broadcast series vs Indians

Embed from Getty Images It has never been done in the history of Major League Baseball. On Tuesday afternoon the Detroit Tigers will carry the first of 17 “Players Only” broadcasts. Fox Sports Detroit general manager Gregg Hammaren said “We’re always trying to come up with something fresh.”

The “Players Only” broadcast will consist of former players and perhaps current Tigers players as well. It is an attempt to bring fans closer to the game. Former Detroit Tigers, Jack Morris, Kirk Gibson, Craig Monroe, Dan Petry and some special guests will take part.

Fox Sports Detroit is using The Video Call Center which basically eliminates a three-second delay in transmitting communication. This will allow the players to join in the conversation live.

Fox Sports Detroit’s executive director Jeff Byle said “We all have to pay attention, but we want to add a different flavor. One of a bunch of players watching the game from their couch.”

Byle would not say exactly who would be joining the broadcast along with the former Tigers already with the network. Players may only be able to join for an inning to two depending on their schedule.

MLB has said they are going to keep an eye out for the groundbreaking broadcast. Perhaps to plan some of their own like ventures during games. This could change broadcasting as we know it. No more two maybe three people in the booth. If the Detroit Tigers can pull this off the sky is the limit.

The baseball season is long. It is nice to see an attempt at a new angle for the game. With so many great former players and Hall of Famers this should create a buzz not only in terms of baseball but of all sports. It just so happens that Detroit is doing it first.

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Detroit Tigers home opener at glorious Comerica Park

Embed from Getty Images Comerica Park opened 20 years ago. It has not aged a day. A ballpark in the middle of downtown Detroit. Comerica Park is one of the few honest to goodness downtown ballparks in MLB. Today the Detroit Tigers will celebrate Opening Day in Motown.

The home of the Detroit Tigers boasts  open vistas in the outfield that shows off the Detroit skyline. It also has a fantastic open-air concourse unlike the tunnel of the old Tiger Stadium. Not to mention giant statues of Tiger legends  Al Kaline, Hal Newhouser, Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg, Willie Horton and Ty Cobb.

With no  apologies to the baseball purists, Comerica Park is more family friendly than the rest of the MLB parks. There is a  carousel and  Ferris wheel For children to enjoy which adds more entertainment value to attending a Tigers.

20 years in, and Comerica is still a great place to watch a ball game. Gone from the early days are the crazy expansive dimensions the Tigers  took about about 25 feet off the distance to left field and also moved the bullpens from right field in order to add  1,000 better seats. A great upgrade.

Comerica Park is the only professional Detroit sports venue that isn’t enclosed.  The most underrated aspects of Comerica Park is the food. The  Little Caesars Coney Deep Dish Pizza is a must! Comerica park is one of the few parks that allow fans to bring their own food in. Good for people who have food restrictions.

I believe Comerica Park is the best  ballpark experience in baseball. Detroit Tigers fans take baseball seriously. Even in the midst of a rebuild, the fans are ready to roll into the season as they await top prospects. They will flock to the park once again this summer.

It helps greatly that there is a great place to watch a game. As anticipation grows waiting for the Tigers to return to postseason baseball.

 

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Detroit Tigers fighting through early season slump

Embed from Getty Images The 2019 Detroit Tigers have cold bats to start the season. There have been only 3 batters who have been the only offensive bright spots so far. Is it time to panic? No, still it is unsettling to begin the season in this fashion.

The Detroit Tigers currently have an OPS of .457, along with 23-164 that adds up to a .140 batting team average. 59 strikeouts with only 21 walks. Those are woeful numbers to be sure. This is a Detroit team that should hit better than they currently are.

Jeimer Candelario, Nicholas Castellanos and Niko Goodrum have been the only consistent hitters. The trio is a combined 15-57, .263. While the rest of the Detroit Batters are 8-107 .075. Yikes! That must improve, and it should as the weather gets warmer.

The most glaring issue is the Tigers lineup has produced only 8 extra base hits and 1 home run provided by Christin Stewart opening day. For a team that has power hitters, they have yet to get going.

Candelario and Stewart have had very good minor league success. That suggests they will get going at some point. Right now things are iffy in Motown. It is hard to see the team in a season long slump given the hitters they have. Perhaps it is a good thing the slump is now rather than later. Detroit is expected to call Daz Cameron up at some point. For a rookie, the veterans need to hit so he will get good pitches to see and hit.

It is early, the season is only a week old. For a team that was not going to win a bunch of games the focus was getting the young players to begin to produce at the major league level.

The Tigers pitching has been solid. It is the hitting that is causing problems right now. The good news is there are 156 game remaining on the season. Time to right the ship. Hopefully before the season slips away.

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Detroit Tigers Christin Stewart opening day hero

Embed from Getty Images Prospects can be tricky. The right ones can propel a team forward or set them back. Yesterday, in the Opening Day of the 2019 MLB season. The rebuilding Detroit Tigers and rookie Christin Stewart took the stage in Toronto to face the Blue Jays.

“Early on I just kind of let my adrenaline and emotions get the best of me,” Christin Stewart said. “I just needed to calm down in the box. I knew that. Later in the game my at-bats started getting better, I started to do what I wanted to do in the box.

For rookies playing in their first Opening Day, that is easier said than done. Most rookies want to show they belong. So many rookies try to do too much and fall flat. Some regain their composure, while some are sent to the minors to make adjustments. Teams really do not know until they see regular season games.

Stewart was already 0-3 when he arrived at the plate in the 10th inning. “They were kind of messing with him,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He’s a kid. But you make a mistake like that one, that one got too much of the plate, and he killed it. We know that’s what he can do.”

 

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitcher Daniel Hudson quickly got ahead in the count 0-2, Christin knowing he had to make contact chocked up on his bat.  The relief pitcher then made a fatal mistake, he left the ball out over the plate on a change-up and Stewart connected. Miguel Cabrera, staring his way and mouthing, “Wow.”

 

For the rebuilding Detroit Tigers are in line to lose 90-plus games once again, the Tigers will be a thorn in many teams side this season. It is good news that a player like Stewart who will not hit close to .300 started with a home run. He does project as a 30-35 home run, 80-90 R.B.I. player. Something the Tigers will taken

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Healthy once again Miguel Cabrera is ready to lead the Detroit Tigers

Embed from Getty Images “I feel good. And I want to feel that in the season.” Miguel Cabrera is ready for the 2019 Detroit Tigers season to start. Having missed three and a half months of last season due to a ruptured biceps, Cabrera hit his fourth home run of the spring.

Miguel Cabrera, once one the most feared hitters in major league baseball, is looking like he has turned the clock back this spring. Hitting the ball with extreme force. He is pulling the ball with power. “Not long ago people were saying, “What happened to his power?” Tigers general manager Al Avila said. “He still has it.”

Miguel said he feels good going into this season. Better than the past two injured filled seasons. Cabrera, looks like he has a fresh spring in his step this spring. He is healthy and stated that is his goal. To stay healthy all season.

Scouts, general managers as well as opposing players have noted Miguel Cabrera looks good this spring. Very good. One manager said “You knew he would not end his career on a down note. Proud athletes never do. He is going to be a handful at the plate again this season.”

It is not the four home runs that has people talking it is the fact he is hitting over .300 and leading the Detroit Tigers in doubles and R.B.I.’s not too mention Cabrera is hitting the ball all over the field again.

Miguel Cabrera is 35 home runs away from 500 for his career. If he does indeed stay healthy that is doable this season. One thing to remember, when Cabrera has been locked in, in the past teams walk him. This season that may not be ideal as he will have Nicholas Castellanos and Christian Stewart hitting in front and behind him.

A healthy Miguel Cabrera does not add more wins to the Detroit Tigers outlook in 2019. Nor does it change the fact Detroit is still mid-rebuild. It does give fans something to watch and cheer for. As they wait for pipeline players to make their way to Comerica Park.

If Miguel Cabrera does stay healthy, he would be a good bet for American League Comeback Player Of the Year.