Tag: Detroit Tigers

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With the first pick in the MLB draft the Detroit Tigers have one option

Embed from Getty Images As players and owners try to hammer out a new collective bargin agreement and we wait for the delayed 2020 MLB season to start whatever it looks like, the 2020 MLB draft takes center stage tonight with the first round. The Detroit Tigers still bound by a rebuild have the first pick. There is one clear-cut player Tigers general manager Al Avila needs to add to the organization.

Arizona State 1B- Spencer Torkelson who is on a tier by himself. The Detroit  Tigers are said to have been zeroed in on Torkelson since the the start of this year’s draft process, it is no wonder after Spencer launched 48 home runs and showed an extremely advanced approach during his first two years at Arizona State.

By adding Torkelson’s power bat to a pitching rich farm system would go a long way for the Detroit Tigers the ongoing rebuild. The Tigers taking Torkelson is close to a slam dunk at this point.

Spencer Torkelson’s scouting numbers are impressive. With 60-HIT, 65-POWER, 50- ARM, 50- FIELD with a 40- RUN for an overall grade of 60.  Torkelson draws fair comparisons to Andrew Vaughn, the University Cal standout 1B who was the No. 3 pick in the 2019 Draft.

Torkelson has scouts drooling with the way he is able to drive the ball from foul pole to foul pole and Tork (a nickname his teammates gave him) uses the middle of the field when he is at his best. Spencer is able to hit the ball out to all fields, with tremendous  power to his pull side.

With a a 16.6% strikeout rate, on the surface does not seem bad. It actually is pretty high. And while because of COVID-19 Tork only had 82 plate appearances in the 2020 season, Spencer Torkelson struck out in 18.3% of his trips to the plate.

For all his power and ability to hit to all fields, the swing-and-miss is a bit of a concern, something the Detroit Tigers will need to help him clean up. That said Spencer Torkelson has to much upside to overlook. The fact he is above average in the field makes this an easy pick for the rebuilding Tigers.

Torkelson should not take much prep work in the minor leagues, that will help speed things up in Motown.

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Detroit Tigers legend Al Kaline dies

Embed from Getty Images Known as “Mr. Tiger,” Al  Kaline was a first ballot Hall of Famer in 1980 after making 18 All-Star games and helping the Detroit Tigers win the 1968 World Series. Kaline spent all 22 playing seasons with the Detroit Tigers. He is and was a Detroit sports icon.

Al Kaline played in more games as a Tiger and hit more homers than anyone else in the history of the organization Kaline compiled a batting resume second only to another Tigers legend Ty Cobb.

Unlike Ty Cobb who was gruff and downright mean, Al  Kaline was the opposite. He was respected for his on field elegance and off field kindness by teammates as well as other players around MLB.

Al Kaline signed with the Detroit Tigers the day after he graduated from high school, Kaline would make his major league debut one week later. Al Kaline would never play in the minor leagues. He would never wear another uniform but the Detroit Tigers. Kaline was 18 years old when he played his first game for the Tigers on June 25, 1953.

Kaline played his final game in 1974, he would retire with 3,007 hits, and 399 home runs. When he received the call from the Hall of Fame the ever humble Kaline said he was in “shock.”

As good a hitter as he was Al Kaline was an equally as good defensive outfielder. As a rookie Kaline threw out three Chicago White Sox in consecutive innings.

At Comerica Park, Kaline is one of six former Detroit Tigers with a statue behind the left center field fence. Even with 3,007 career hits and those organization record 399 homers, the statue shows Kaline not with a bat in hand, but making a leaping, one-handed.

For all he accomplished on the field. Al Kaline was the same off the field. Always happy to take a picture with fans. He would stand and talk with anyone for long lengths of time.

The news of his passing was met with shock and a tremendous amount of sadness not only in Detroit and the entire state of Michigan but around all of MLB.

So goodbye # 6, no matter how hard it is, and it is hard.

 

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MLB Pipeline ranks the Detroit Tigers farm system #5

Embed from Getty Images It continues  to be trending in the right direction. Not long ago the Detroit Tigers farm system was dead last in MLB. Trades as well as solid drafting has pushed the Tigers farm system not only into the top 10, but the top 5 in all of baseball.

With another bad season on deck and likely looking at another top five draft pick the Detroit Tigers are in good shape. Thanks in large part to the Tigers wave of upper level pitching prospects, not to mention the club also has a promising crop of young hitters that could move faster than originally thought. Provides a light at the end of the rebuild tunnel.

To start the 2019 MLB season the Detroit Tigers farm system was ranked #10 and moved up to #6 by the end of the season, due in large part to Tiger prospects who some of which performed well and a few took big steps forward in their development.

The Detroit farm system could see another bump in the ranking by seasons end. The organization has the first pick in this June’s amateur draft, in which many experts and myself included expect the Tigers to take a big (and badly needed) bat.

It has been a long rebuild and the on-field product has looked ugly at times. That is all by design. The quickest way to rebuild is lose a lot of games. Get good draft slots and draft for need and develop it.

This summer it is all about prospects refining their game in route to Detroit. As many as four top prospects are expected to arrive this summer. Though they will most likely be late season call ups.

Next season, the Detroit Tigers will look completely different, as top prospects will break spring training with the team and the team should begin to climb up the division.

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With all four Detroit sports teams rebuilding, could the Detroit Tigers finish first

Embed from Getty Images In 2003 the Detroit Tigers lost 119 games, it was the key turning point in the late Tigers owner Mike Ilitch’s tenure. He was so embarrassed, he vowed to do more, just as he had when he turned the “Dead Things” the into Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings. After last seasons 114 losses, will that be the turning point of current Tigers owner Christopher Ilitch’s tenure?

The Detroit Lions lack talent in many areas of the roster, with unproven general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia.  And the Detroit Pistons? Dwane Casey is a solid coach, but they finally chose the time is now to rebuild.

The Detroit Red Wings do have a proven general manager, who will return the Red Wings to the national stage, no one is doubting that. It will take time for Steve Yzerman to complete the task before him though.

Poor management, ownership in activity, bad contracts and bad luck, have defined the four Detroit sports teams. In my opinion it is the Detroit Tigers, have a head start.

First of all the Detroit Tigers have the most valuable commodity in their sport  young, promising pitching. The Tigers have four prospects in the MLB Pipeline’s Top 50, the franchise is as stocked as they have ever been, in route to a top 10 of farm system.

The Tigers also have something the Lions, Red Wings and Pistons do not currently have, the first pick in the draft at their sport. Last weekend Christopher Ilitch in an interview used the phrases “very competitive” and  “the fire is burning inside,” to let media and fans know how he feels about the Tigers, putting all doubt and fear aside.

As is if building the brand new Little Caesars headquarters next to Comerica Park did not send a strong enough signal. It is a short walk from his new office to the ballpark.

Christopher Ilitch is very analytical, much less emotional, probably a product of the corporate world he lives in much of the time. He speaks in measured tones but seems to be  more comfortable in the spotlight.

One thing seems for certain, the Detroit Tigers are closer to being a threat again in baseball, with the Red Wings not far behind. Ilitch says he is confident in delivering on that goal of the rebuild: “Be patient, be disciplined and we’re going to get there.”

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Detroit Tigers chairman and CEO Christopher Ilitch tells fans he will spend money

Embed from Getty Images Rebuilds are not fun, there is no two ways around it. Detroit Tigers chairman and CEO Christopher Ilitch, on his yearly visit to spring training spoke about the current state of the Detroit Tigers, the process of rebuilding the team and the future plans he has envisioned for his franchise.

First in what promises to be another long season at Comerica Park, perhaps the final long season as top prospects are preparing to take their final steps to the major leagues…….. Yes, Christopher Ilitch will spend money on free agents  when the time is right.

This was both a relaxing trip for Ilitch and a business trip rolled in one. The Detroit Tigers owner was there to check in on top prospects. Before the Tigers took on the Toronto Blue Jays, Christopher Ilitch asked Tigers general manager Al  Avila if there was a chance he could see one of the teams top  prospects, outfielder Riley Greene in the game.  Lo and behold, Greene was added to the lineup.

Christopher Ilitch is a baseball fan at heart. He grew up attending Detroit Tigers games when his father (the late Mike Ilitch) owned the team. Last season when his franchise lost 114 games it did not exactly sit well with the owner.

“You know, I get it. I understand the frustration,” Ilitch said. “Tiger fans are the greatest. We’re exceptionally grateful for the loyalty and dedication of Tiger fans. Tiger fans want to see winning teams on the field and they deserve to see winning teams on the field. And I can tell you everybody here in the Tiger organization is working exceptionally hard to deliver winning teams on the field.”

“I believe in the process. It’s not going to happen overnight, but we … will … get there,” Ilitch continued. “We know how to win. We have rebuilt the Detroit Tigers successfully before and we’re going to do it again.”

“We’re going to do whatever it takes to do it again. Having lived through it before, having lived through it in a different sport, these things are on their own timetable sometimes. A lot of factors, as you know, go into it.”

Detroit Tigers fans have often wondered out loud if Christopher Ilitch would spend money saying they thought he was too frugal and would never spend money on top free agent players like his father did.

The Tigers owner gave an answer that should put those thoughts to rest, “When I feel the time is right, Al (Avila) is going to have the resources to go out and sign the free agents he needs to add around our home-grown base and core of talent.”

“At the end of the day, for us to be competitive on a longer term basis, we are building this team the right way,” Ilitch went on. “I have absolute confidence that we are building a Tigers team that Tiger fans will be proud of, a team that will live up to the tradition of our storied franchise.”

Until the team is ready to add players to the top prospects, enjoy baseball, the time will soon come the Tigers will roar again.

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Detroit Tigers prospect Riley Greene is turning heads

Embed from Getty Images It is hard to get too excited about prospects. There are too many ‘if’s, and’s or but’s,” with many prospects. The Detroit Tigers who in recent years have bolstered their minor league system, have a prospect that I feel is worth watching. Outfielder, Riley Greene, who so far this spring is turning heads in a good way.

Riley Greene is just 19 years old. Before we get overly excited, Greene will not be in Detroit this season. He will be soon enough. Riley Greene is just getting started. The fifth overall pick in last year’s draft Greene has a bright future ahead of him in Detroit. On top of his supernatural feel for the batting, Greene is beginning to show he is pretty good with the glove. A few scouts said they did not think Riley would be able to play center field in the majors, much less at Comerica Park.

Greene made a statement on Sunday when he hauled in a line drive on the warning track in right field, then tipped his cap to the pitcher. “Wow, Riley Greene!” said one TV commentator on the opposing team’s broadcast.  “That was pretty,” said the other.

Riley Greene possesses one of the purest swings in baseball. He is also very athletic and adds a great deal of excitement to the Detroit Tigers prospect pool. Looking ahead, Green is probably two plus years from playing at Comerica Park. A mid season call up in 2022 is probably when Green will arrive in the big leagues. Sure, Riley Greene can close the gap between now and then, but these things take time and development is key.

At this moment Riley Greene is ranked the Detroit Tigers No. 3 prospect. There is little doubt when Matt Manning and or Casey Mize arrive in Detroit at some point this season Green will be No. 1.

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Detroit Tigers top prospect Tarik Skubal’s dominance gives hope

Embed from Getty Images “It is only spring training, The games do not matter, That was nice but can he do it again?” Is there any other cliche phrase to throw out? Friday afternoon Tarik Skubal (pronounced Scoo ball) took to the mound and put on a show.

Tarik Skubal picked up where he left off last season, pounding the strike zone. Fastballs gave way to change ups, which gave way to curve balls mixed with some sliders. Strike after strike.

Skubal was so locked in and so dominant Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire sat in the dugout looked right at Tigers general manager Al Avila pointed at himself as if to tell Avila he wanted Skubal with him in Detroit. Avila waved his hands as if to reply not yet.

With an 18 strike on 22 pitches, Tarik Skubal struck out five of the six batters he faced. The other was a weak ground ball out. Pitching in front of the Detroit Tigers front office did not phase the young left handed pitcher.

Much like last season, and much like many of the Tigers top pitching prospects Skubal was in control and attacked the strike zone working fast, and dominating hitter after hitter.

If the pitching phenom was nervous he did not show it. “I just wanted to fill the zone and throw strikes.” Skubal told reporters after the game. His fastball sat at 95-96 mph, although he did his 99 a few times on the gun.

Like Detroit Tigers pitching prospects Casey Mize, Matt Manning, Franklin Perez and others, Tarik Skubal was composed and looked like the total package.

Going back to last season, Skubal looks like the steal on the 2018 MLB draft. Detroit drafted the lefty in the ninth round from Seattle University. Ever since that draft Skubal has dominated and shot through the Detroit Tigers minor leagues.

It is worth noting that current Tiger pitcher Matthew Boyd is mentoring the young Skubal. Skubal said Boyd reached out to him this past offseason.

Tarik Skubal, is the No. 34 ranked prospect in baseball, as ranked by Baseball America. Skubal is considered the No. 4 prospect in the Tigers organization behind Mize, Manning and outfielder Riley Greene per MLB Pipeline.

The young Tigers pitching prospects have been putting on a show during spring training. Leading many to wonder when they will arrive in Detroit. Based on performance it will not be long.

That said, the top prospects should get more developing time in the minor leagues at least to start the season. No need to rush anyone. The Detroit Tigers are not a playoff team.

They will be very soon.

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Detroit Tigers prospect Daz Cameron ready to move forward

Embed from Getty Images Daz Cameron, who is currently ranked the Detroit  Tigers’ No. 7 prospect by Baseball America and No. 8 by MLB Pipeline said “I love baseball. To be able to get up today and be alive, it’s a blessing.” The young center fielder is coming off a season in which he struggled miserably. One thing about Daz Cameron, when he has struggled he has responded by having a big season.

In 2019, Daz Cameron played 120 games for the Triple A Toledo Mud Hens and struck out 152 times. He hit .214 with 13 home runs. As ugly as last season was, Cameron is at ease.  Daz says he learned from it, that he has gotten past it.  Judging from his ear to ear smile, as well as the way he carries himself and the confidence he exudes, it is easy to believe him.

Daz Cameron said last season he felt like he was battling  himself. It showed in what was the worst season of his professional life. But it was also the one in which he learned the most. So it was not all bad.

In 2019 Daz Cameron changed his swing three times and did not feel comfortable. Cameron kept searching for answers but couldn’t find any. Now, looking back, the lesson became obvious: Cameron vows to never make significant changes during a season.  “To not change anything, to be myself, no matter what,” he said.

Daz Cameron is smiling big now. Because he is feeling so good. The young center fielder is optimistic about the talent in the Tigers’ minor leagues, especially the pitching staff that he expects to play with at Toledo. “I think we are going to have some huge stars,” he said. “Oh man, it’s going to be ridiculous to see. It’s going to be fun.”

During the early part of spring training, Cameron is locked in and is hitting the ball well again, perhaps he can sense how close he is to Detroit. As Cameron is the future center fielder/ corner outfielder.

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The Detroit Tigers hope two coach’s can get catcher Jake Rogers better results at bat

Embed from Getty Images What is the old saying? Two is better than one, that is exactly what the Detroit Tigers are hoping in the case of catcher Jake Rogers. Tigers hitting coach Joe Vavra and renowned hitting instructor Doug Latta are trying to get the top catching prospect in all of baseball to hit better.

Jake Rogers, behind the plate, behind the catching gear is the best rated defensive catcher in the minor leagues. The only thing that is keeping him from full-time catching duties with the Detroit Tigers is Rogers does not hit that well.

Jake Rogers sought the help of Doug Latta who has helped a who’s who of college, minor and major league baseball players and has had good results. So off to Ball Yard Hitting Academy in Northridge, California Rogers went this past offseason.

Meanwhile, Tigers hitting coach Joe Vavra kept in contact with Rogers and Latta. No ego’s got in the way. The focus was getting a top prospect to perform a well rounded game.

After hitting sessions Doug Latta would send video to Joe Vavra. The two coach’s would compare notes. The end goal is to greatly reduces the big leg kick and change the posture Jake Rogers used while taking at bats. The leg kicks lead to many foul balls as well as many strike outs. Too many for the Detroit Tigers liking.

With 51 strike outs in 128 plate appearances in 112 games played, last season Rogers worked many hours with then Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon. Rogers sought out advice from veteran Tigers players as well. Even talking to Detroit baseball legends Al Kaline and Willie Horton.

One problem. Jake Rogers was hearing too many voices in his head. While Rogers did say he enjoyed talking to and getting advice from multiple people, it was simply too much.

Working with Doug Latta, Rogers has changed his posture at the plate. Gone are breaking his upper body over the plate which caused a lot of swing and miss at bats.

Now Jake Rogers has a plane swing that is much more level which will allow the young catcher to swing through the strike-zone longer. The Detroit Tigers front office and Rogers teammates got a first hand look at his new swing this past week as spring training opened.

Jake Rogers was sending baseballs over the fence into the bullpen behind Joker Merchant Stadium in Lakeland Florida, long time spring training home of the Detroit Tigers.

As for Rogers he is focused on what is ahead and does not look back at last season. Time will tell. But it looks like the work of the two coach’s and Jake Rogers just may net positive results.

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Healthy going into spring training Detroit Tigers pitcher Franklin Perez is focused

Embed from Getty Images In the pitching cages, once top pitching prospect Franklin Perez fired fastballs to his catcher. Perez held back smiles as he met with a few of the Detroit Tigers beat writers. “I feel fantastic, This is one of the best moments for us as pitchers, focusing on improving our pitches instead of rehabilitating and getting back to business. It feels great to be back here.” Perez stated.

Franklin Perez was the centerpiece of the trade that sent Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros. Two and a half years have passed since Perez was the headline prospect the club of the big trade.

Perez has pitched just 27 innings in the Tigers’ organization, all out of Lakeland in either the Class A Advanced Florida State League or the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. That is because of injuries.

A right lat strain in Spring Training 2018 delayed Franklin’s debut in the Tigers’ organization. Later in 2018 Perez was shelved for the season with right shoulder inflammation.

Franklin Perez did not have surgery, he went with just a cortisone injection. What Perez did have was time to heal. The young pitcher worked in Lakeland with the Detroit Tigers athletic training and medical staffs. Aside from the rehab, Perez worked on nutrition, finding a diet to help with better healing.

If Franklin Perez has indeed moved past the injuries, and can pick up where he left off, the Detroit Tigers pitching prospects are even stronger, if you can believe that. All indications are Perez is ready for a rebound season.

It will be worth watching where the Tigers choose to place him after cam starts. No matter where that is Perez likely will not be there long. He is too talented.