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Some thoughts on the Tigers
Most projections have top prospect Jacob Turner pitching in the minor leagues all season, but given the Tigers' track record with young pitchers, I would expect him to pitch in the major leagues at some point in 2011 - if he displays progress.
Turner has dominant pitches, and there is only so much he is going to learn in the minor leagues. It's not a bad idea to take a talent like that and give him some time in the major leagues - even extensive. Against major league competition, it can be learned what he really needs to work on. It's a theory that worked well last season with Max Scherzer. We'll see if it works quite as well in the future with Rick Porcello and Andrew Oliver (the Tigers weren't hesitant to pitch either in the major leagues, or send them down when they struggled). And perhaps with Turner.
- There should be no surprise Carlos Guillen will open the season on the disabled list. Scott Sizemore has had the best spring of the candidates to play second. At least he has displayed some power. I still think Will Rhymes is the safest pick of three candidates and that ultimately Danny Worth will be the best player.
- Best Tigers prospect nobody talks about: Third baseman Francisco Martinez.
Turner has dominant pitches, and there is only so much he is going to learn in the minor leagues. It's not a bad idea to take a talent like that and give him some time in the major leagues - even extensive. Against major league competition, it can be learned what he really needs to work on. It's a theory that worked well last season with Max Scherzer. We'll see if it works quite as well in the future with Rick Porcello and Andrew Oliver (the Tigers weren't hesitant to pitch either in the major leagues, or send them down when they struggled). And perhaps with Turner.
- There should be no surprise Carlos Guillen will open the season on the disabled list. Scott Sizemore has had the best spring of the candidates to play second. At least he has displayed some power. I still think Will Rhymes is the safest pick of three candidates and that ultimately Danny Worth will be the best player.
- Best Tigers prospect nobody talks about: Third baseman Francisco Martinez.
posted by Pat Caputo at
12:01 PM
8 Comments:
I've heard people complaining that he's only pitching in AA. They must be forgetting that he's only 19 years old. Most teams would still have him playing A ball.
If he continues to do well at AA, I agree that he'll see some time in the majors later this year, and then have a great shot at a spot in the rotation next year.
You know Pat, for years all the conversation is about the Tigers great pitching drafts and all the pitching talent in the minors, ok great. Can we now develop some hitters to go along with them? Please? Ryan Raburn, Brennan Boesch, Danny Worth, Scott Sizemore, Alex Avila don't scare anyone.
Dombrowski has done a good job stocking the minors with pitching talent, but we need to be able to hit also. One more thing, if I read another article about relief pitchers ever it will be too soon.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Alan
Pat, I think Oliver and Turner will be pitching in Detroit this year. Penny needs his 95 m.p.h fastball or he is in trouble. The jury still out on Coke. I would go with Rhymes because Sizemore and Worth would benefit more from AAA and they probably have options left.
He only threw 115 innings last year. I'd rather see him stay in the minors all year and build up arm strength. Let him pitch 160 - 170 innings in the minors this year then shut him down. He has too bright of a future to rush to the bigs, especially when the Tigers have other decent options like Oliver if they need an extra starter.
Michael C,
That's a level above where I expected him to start. Thought it would be at Lakeland, especially early in the season, then move him up when weather warms at Erie. They like him, though. He'll move quickly unless he struggles or gets hurt.
Caputo
Anonymous,
For awhile there, it was all pitching. But Daniel Fields is a terrific prospect. So are Francisco Martinez and Nick Castellanos.
Caputo
Barry,
Oliver wasn't ready for the major leagues last year, but might have learned a lot from the experience. I think he is underrated from Tiger fans. Long relief a concern. Schlerth was awful yesterday and who is holding their breath expecting anything from Zumaya?
Caputo
Nolan,
I don't think they have him throw more than a 150 innings, one way or another. But some of those might be in the major leagues.
Caputo
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