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10
LEAGUE
10PROSPECTSAMERICAN LEAGUETOP
CENTRA
L BY BEN BADLER
Last year, the Tigers returned to the playoffs for the first
time since 2006. While they lost to the Rangers in the American
League Championship Series, the makeup of the AL Central and
Detroits major league roster should mean it wont have to wait five
years for its next postseason appearance.
The Twins and White Sox tumbled in 2011 and have bleak outlooks
in 2012. The Indians improved, though they were still just an
80-win team with significant questions. Better days are ahead for
the Royals and their enviable stash of high-upside youngsters, but
they dont look ready to go toe-to-toe with Detroit.
Homegrown ace Justin Verlander was domi-nant for the Tigers in
2011, winning the AL pitching triple crown and MVP and Cy Young
awards. Yet it was Detroits offense, which ranked fourth in the
majors in scoring, that carried the team.
Miguel Cabrera is on track to become the greatest
Venezuelan-born hitter of all time. Victor Martinez and Jhonny
Peralta produced in their first seasons under multiyear deals with
the Tigers. Draft finds Alex Avila (fifth round, 2008) and Brennan
Boesch (third round, 2006) have turned into pleasant offensive
surprises, with Avila becoming an all-star last season.
Detroits farm system is heavier on pitchers than position
players, though getting those pitchers acclimated to the big
leagues hasnt been easy. Jacob Turner and Andy Oliver both pitched
in the majors in 2011, as did a hand-ful of homegrown relievers,
though none found
much immediate success. Former top prospect Rick Porcello will
be just 23 in 2012, but hes coming off two mediocre seasons and
already is arbitration-eligible.
Turner, No. 1 on this list for the third straight year, could
play a role at the back of the rota-
tion at some point this year, though some scouts arent sure hes
ready quite yet. Hes a prime example of the Tigers willingness to
invest in the draft, signing a $5.5 million big league contract as
the ninth overall pick in 2009. So is the sys-tems best position
prospect, third baseman Nick Castellanos, who set a supplemental
first-round record with a $3.45 million bonus in 2010.
Draft spending has paid off for Detroit in the past, especially
in the first round. Verlander (2004) and Porcello (2007) received
lucrative deals, as did Cameron Maybin (2005) and Andrew Miller
(2006), the key pieces used to get Cabrera from the Marlins in a
December 2007 trade.
The Tigers broke from that blueprint in the 2011 draft, however,
ranking next-to-last by spending just $2.9 million. Detroit didnt
have a first-round pick in its first draft under scouting director
Scott Pleis. The team also has a new farm director. Mike Rojas held
the position for less than a year before becoming the big league
bullpen coach in July, and infield instructor Dave Owen was
promoted to replace him two months later.
Detroit has benefited from its growing inter-national presence,
which has yielded several of the best prospects in its system,
including Latin American righthanders Brenny Paulino, Bruce Rondon
and Ramon Lebron and out-fielder Avisail Garcia. The Tigers used a
pair of Venezuelans, third baseman Francisco Martinez and
righthander Lester Oliveros, in deadline deals to get playoff
heroes Doug Fister from the Mariners and outfielder Delmon Young
from the Twins.
Tigers stand apart in AL Central
Justin Verlander won the American League Cy Young and MVP to
lead Detroit to an AL Central crown
BoRN: May 21, 1991. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-5. WT.: 210. DRAfTED: HSSt.
Louis, 2009 (1st round). SigNED BY: Marty Miller.
toM
dipac
e
DETROITTIGERS
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEWgeneral manager: dave dombrowski.farm
director: dave owen.Scouting director: Scott pleis.
FArm SyStemClassification Affiliate W Ltriple-a toledo 67
77double-a erie 67 75High class a Lakeland 64 74Low class a West
Michigan 70 69Short-season connecticut 39 35Rookie GcL tigers 29
31oVERALL 2011 RECoRD 336 361
BEST TOOLSBest Hitter for average Nick castellanosBest power
Hitter Nick castellanosBest Strike-Zone discipline Jamie Johnson
Fastest Baserunner Ismael SalgadoBest athlete tyler Gibson Best
Fastball Bruce RondonBest curveball casey crosbyBest Slider Shawn
teufelBest changeup Jacob turnerBest control adam WilkBest
defensive catcher James MccannBest defensive Infielder dixon
MachadoBest Infield arm dixon MachadoBest defensive outfielder
avisail GarciaBest outfield arm avisail Garcia
PROJECTED 2015 LINEUPcatcher alex avilaFirst Base Miguel
cabreraSecond Base Ramon Santiagothird Base Nick
castellanosShortstop Jhonny peraltaLeft Field Brennan Boeschcenter
Field austin JacksonRight Field avisail Garciadesignated Hitter
Victor MartinezNo. 1 Starter Justin VerlanderNo. 2 Starter Jacob
turnerNo. 3 Starter doug FisterNo. 4 Starter Max ScherzerNo. 5
Starter Rick porcellocloser Jose Valverde
TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADEYear Player, Pos. 2011 org.2002 Nate
cornejo, rhp out of baseball2003 Jeremy Bonderman, rhp out of
baseball2004 Kyle Sleeth, rhp out of baseball2005 curtis
Granderson, of Yankees2006 Justin Verlander, rhp tigers2007 cameron
Maybin of padres2008 Rick porcello, rhp tigers2009 Rick porcello,
rhp tigers2010 Jacob turner, rhp tigers2011 Jacob turner, rhp
tigers
TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADEYear Player, Pos. 2011 org.2002
Scott Moore, ss cubs2003 Kyle Sleeth, rhp out of baseball2004
Justin Verlander, rhp tigers2005 cameron Maybin, of padres2006
andrew Miller, lhp Red Sox2007 Rick porcello, rhp tigers2008 Ryan
perry, rhp tigers2009 Jacob turner, rhp tigers2010 Nick
castellanos, 3b (1st round supp.) tigers2011 James Mccann, c (2nd
round) tigers
LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORYJacob turner, 2009 $4,700,000Rick
porcello, 2007 $3,580,000andrew Miller, 2006 $3,550,000eric Munson,
1999 $3,500,000Nick castellanos, 2010 $3,450,000
BAckground: Turner was a dominant high school pitcher both for
Westminster Christian Academy (St. Louis) and on the showcase
circuit. At the 2008 Aflac All-American Game, he struck out five
straight hitters. While at Westminster Christian, he ben-efited
from the tutelage of pitch-ing coach Todd Worrell, a former
all-star closer, and also soaked up knowledge from ex-big leaguers
Andy Benes and Mike Matheny, who each had sons on the team. Though
Turners signability wor-ried some clubs at the time, the Tigers
were undeterred and draft-ed him with the ninth overall pick in
2009. They were able to lure him away from a North Carolina
commitment with a $5.5 million big league contract that included a
$4.7 million bonus, a record at the time for a prep pitcher. He
pitched well at two Class A stops during his first season in pro
ball in 2010, then pitched in the Futures Game and made an
emergency start for Detroit last July. The first high school pick
from the 2009 draft to reach the majors, Turner returned to Detroit
for two more starts in September.
Scouting report: Turner is still just 20 and extremely pol-
ished for his age, showing remark-able feel for pitching and
matu-rity. Big and athletic, he repeats his smooth delivery well
and is a prolific strike-thrower, averaging just 2.2 walks per nine
innings as a pro. He works from a three-quarters arm slot and gets
good angle on his two- and four-seam fastballs. Turner sits at
90-94 mph and touches 95 with late, heavy life, which helps him
keep the ball on the ground and in the ballpark. His fastball
usually isnt a swing-and-miss pitch but his curveball and his
changeup both can miss bats and grade from average to plus. Turners
curveball is a high-70s hammer at times though still inconsistent,
and he leaned on it more than his changeup when he got to the big
leagues. There are some scouts who think that his changeup could
end up being just as good if not better than his curve. He sells
his changeup with deceptive arm speed and, while in the minors,
showed a willingness to throw it even when behind in the count.
Turner has a tall, slen-der frame and will have to con-tinue to
strengthen his body to endure the grind of the long pro season. He
has had minor elbow and shoulder stiffness early in
2011, but he recovered easily and never has had any major health
concerns.
the Future: Detroit is look-ing for a fifth starter for 2012 and
Turner could compete for that job during spring training. Turner
wasnt quite ready when the Tigers called him up last year in July,
but he cruised at Triple-A Toledo after they sent him back down to
the Mud Hens. The most likely scenario is that Turner opens 2012 in
Triple-A and arrives in the majors quickly if he is able to get off
to a good start out of the gate. While he doesnt have the pure
stuff of a true ace pitcher, he has the repertoire and com-mand to
be a No. 2 or 3 starter in the big leagues. While he didnt reach
Detroit quite as fast as fel-low high school first-rounder Rick
Porcello, Turner has better stuff and a brighter future.
2011 Club (Class) W L ERA g gS Cg SV iP H HR BB So AVgerie (aa)
3 5 3.48 17 17 0 0 114 102 9 32 90 .239detroit 0 1 8.53 3 3 0 0 13
17 3 4 8 .315toledo (aaa) 1 0 3.12 3 3 0 0 17 15 1 3 20 .227
SCOUTING GRADES
FAStBALL: 65.curveBALL: 60.chAngeup: 55.commAnd/controL:
60.deLivery: 60.Based on 20-80 scouting scale, where 50 represents
major aver-age, and future projection rather than present
tools.
JACOBTURNER, RHP
11PROSPECT
PROS
Born: March 4, 1992. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-4.WT.: 195. DrafTeD:
HSSouthwest Ranches, Fla., 2010 (1st round supplemental). SigneD
By: Rolando Casanova.BackgrounD: The Tigers lost their 2010
first-round pick after signing Jose Valverde as a free agent prior
to the season but still landed one of the top players on their
board with their first selection (44th overall). Castellanos slid
due to his bonus demands, then signed at the Aug. 16 deadline for a
supplemental first-round record $3.45 million. After a slow start
in April, Castellanos led the low Class A Midwest League with 158
hits in 2011.ScouTing reporT: Castellanos has a good
swing and hitting instincts, gets great extension and uses the
opposite field well. Though he hit .312 last year, he also struck
out 130 times, in part because he tends to chase pitches He showed
more plate discipline and a better approach as the season went on,
making in-game adjustments and staying inside the ball better.
Castellanos isnt a major home run threat yet but barrels the ball
well and tied for second in the MWL with 36 doubles. Once he gets
stron-ger, pulls more pitches and adds more backspin, he should
have at least average power and perhaps more. A high school
shortstop, hes learning to play third base. He has solid speed,
moves well and while theres length to his arm stroke, his throws
have good carry.THe fuTure: Castellanos has all-star potential but
needs at least two more years before hes ready for Detroit. Hell
head to high Class A Lakeland in 2012.2011 club (class) aVg oBp SLg
aB r H 2B 3B Hr rBi BB So SBWest Michigan (Lo A) .312 .367 .436 507
65 158 36 3 7 76 45 130 3
2. Nick castellaNos, 3b
Born: June 13, 1989. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-3.WT.: 190. DrafTeD:
Arkansas, 2010 (2nd round). SigneD By: Chris Wimmer.BackgrounD:
Smyly parlayed his extra leverage as a draft-eligible sophomore
into a $1.1 million bonus as a second-rounder in 2010. Making his
pro debut in 2011, he reached Double-A Erie in July and allowed
just six earned runs in eight outings. After the sea-son, he threw
17 shutout innings for Team USA at the World Cup and Pan American
Games.ScouTing reporT: Smyly has an advanced understanding of how
to attack hitters. He throws his fastball at 87-92 mph with slight
tailing life, commanding it down in the zone
to get grounders. He uses both a curveball and a slider, with
scouts split on which is more effective. He also has a
splitter-like changeup and a mid-80s cutter that helps him against
righthanders. Smyly repeats his easy delivery and maintains a
consistent high three-quarters arm slot, making it difficult for
hitters to figure out what hes throwing. He redshirted in his first
season at Arkansas with a stress fracture in his elbow and missed
six weeks early last year with a sore arm, so he has to prove he
can handle a starters workload.THe fuTure: The Tigers arent afraid
to fast-track their pitching prospects, and Smylys polish and
performance merit a swift rise. A future No. 3 or 4 starter, he
could open 2012 in Triple-A and finish it in the big league
rotation.2011 club (class) W L era g gS cg SV ip H Hr BB So
aVgLakeland (Hi A) 7 3 2.58 14 14 0 0 80 71 1 21 77 .241Erie (AA) 4
3 1.18 8 7 0 0 46 32 1 15 53 .201
3. Drewsmyly, lhp
Born: Sept. 17, 1988. B-T: R-L. HT.: 6-5.WT.: 200. DrafTeD:
HSMaple Park, Ill., 2007 (5th round). SigneD By: Marty
Miller.BackgrounD: Crosby signed for $748,500 as a fifth-round pick
in 2007, then hurt his elbow during instructional league that fall.
Tommy John surgery sidelined him for most of 2008 and swelling in
his elbow cost him most of 2010, though he didnt require a second
operation. His 132 innings in Double-A last year exceeded his
previous total of 122 in three pro seasons.ScouTing reporT: Crosby
throws two- and four-seam fastballs, working at 92-94 mph with the
ability to hit 96. His size helps
him get good downhill plane, which leads to swings and misses
and groundouts. His curve-ball flashes plus potential with sharp
bite and depth, though at times it can get slurvy. He throws his
changeup with good arm speed and sink. Crosby still needs to make
significant strides with throwing strikes. He tried to be too fine
with his pitches against Double-A hitters. He needs to repeat his
mechanics better, and his athleticism should help him make
adjustments with his lower half in his delivery. fuTure: Staying
healthy for a full season was a significant step for Crosby, though
his health and control issues still may land him in the bullpen.
The Tigers will continue to develop him as a starter, though its
possible he could reach the majors in 2012 if used as a reliever.
Protected on the 40-man roster in November, hell advance to
Triple-A.2011 club (class) W L era g gS cg SV ip H Hr BB So aVgErie
(AA) 9 7 4.10 25 25 0 0 132 122 11 77 121 .253
Born: Dec. 3, 1987. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-3.WT.: 210. DrafTeD:
Oklahoma State, 2009 (2nd round). SigneD By: Chris
Wimmer.BackgrounD: Oliver sued the NCAA in 2008 after it suspended
him for having an adviser while negotiating with the Twins when
they drafted him out of high school. Reinstated after winning the
lawsuit, he received a $750,000 settlement and signed for $1.495
million as a second-rounder in 2009. He has pitched in the majors
in each of his two pro seasons, but hasnt had the control to
survive there.ScouTing reporT: Olivers best pitch is his 92-96 mph
fastball, though his inability to
command his heater is one of his biggest obstacles. He couldnt
overpower big league hitters, who pounded him when he couldnt
locate his heater. He once had a plus curveball in col-lege, but he
now has a below-average slider. His changeup is inconsistent but
flashes aver-age. The Tigers havent helped Oliver by rushing him to
the big leagues before he was ready. He tinkered too much with his
pitches after getting sent back down to Triple-A last June.THe
fuTure: Like Casey Crosby, Oliver is a power lefty who needs to
throw more strikes Scouts seem more optimistic about Crosbys
chances to do so. Without a reliable breaking ball, Olivers bullpen
utility might be limited, so Detroit would like him to figure out
how to command his fastball and become an effective starter.2011
club (class) W L era g gS cg SV ip H Hr BB So aVgToledo (AAA) 8 12
4.71 26 26 0 0 147 149 15 80 143 .272Detroit 0 1 6.52 2 2 0 0 10 11
3 8 5 .289
5. aNDy oliver, lhp
4. casey crosby, lhp
Born: July 14, 1989. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-2.WT.: 188. DrafTeD: UC
Riverside, 2010 (3rd round). SigneD By: Steve Pack.BackgrounD:
Brantlys performance has been up and down since he signed for
$330,300 as a sophomore-eligible third-round pick in 2010. He was
mediocre at low Class A West Michigan in his pro debut but much
improved when he opened last season there. He struggled after a
July promotion to Lakeland, then hit .388 in 15 Arizona Fall League
games.ScouTing reporT: Brantly is an offen-sive-oriented catcher
with a short lefthanded swing. He has balanced approach and and
makes consistent contact to all fields, though he lacks
patience. His swing is geared more toward line drives than loft
power, but he has enough strength to hit 10-15 homers per season.
Though hes a well below-average runner, Brantly is athletic for a
catcher. He has solid catch-and-throw skills and still is working
on his game-calling, blocking and receiving. His quick release
helps his average arm play up, and he threw out 36 percent of
basestealers last season.THe fuTure: The Tigers project Brantly as
an everyday catcher, though other teams see him as an bat-first
backup in the big leagues. He still has to prove he can hit high
Class A pitching, though the Tigers may push him to Double-A to
begin 2012.2011 club (class) aVg oBp SLg aB r H 2B 3B Hr rBi BB So
SBWest Michigan (Lo A) .303 .366 .440 284 42 86 16 1 7 44 24 39
2Lakeland (Hi A) .219 .239 .322 146 16 32 6 0 3 18 5 17 0
7. rob braNtly, c
Born: Feb. 21, 1993. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-5.WT.: 182. SigneD:
Dominican Republic, 2009. SigneD By: Carlos Santana/Ramon
Perez/Miguel Garcia.BackgrounD: As a Dominican amateur, Paulino had
an 84-86 mph fastball and trou-ble finding the strike zone. The
Tigers saw a tall, skinny righthander with an extremely loose arm
and the chance to add considerable velocity, so they signed him for
$100,000. He emerged as one of the top pitching prospects in the
Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2011. ScouTing reporT: Paulino
has grown taller and gained weight since signing, help-ing him add
roughly 10 mph. He sat at 92-95
mph last year and peaked at 97 while holding his velocity deep
into outings. Because his frame has more room to add strength, some
scouts believe he could throw even harder in the future. His
four-seamer has good life, generating swings and misses when he
throws it in the strike zone. Paulinos curveball has made strides
but is still inconsistent, and his changeup is still below average.
His control improved markedly in 2011, though it still has a ways
to go and hes prone to bouts of wildness. His long arms help him
get angle and leverage.THe fuTure: Paulino has the frame and arm
speed to become a starter with a power arsenal. Hell need to refine
his secondary pitches and control to reach his ceiling. Years away
from the majors, hell make the jump to low Class A in 2012.2011
club (class) W L era g gS cg SV ip H Hr BB So aVgGCL Tigers (R) 4 3
2.36 11 8 2 0 46 34 1 18 45 .202Lakeland (Hi A) 0 2 21.94 2 2 0 0 5
9 0 9 7 .346
6. breNNy pauliNo, rhp
Born: Dec. 1, 1990. B-T: L-L. HT.: 5-11.WT.: 192. DrafTeD: JC of
Florida, 2010 (5th round). SigneD By: Rolando Casanova.BackgrounD:
Burgos pitched the JC of Florida to the 2010 Junior College World
Series, earning juco all-America honors by going 13-2, 2.07 with
115 strikeouts in 100 innings. He has put up similar numbers in pro
ball since signing for $152,100 as a fifth-round pick. He didnt
realize the offseason prepara-tion needed to be physically ready
for pro ball, so the Tigers held him back in extended spring
training last year until June, after which he was one of the
Midwest Leagues best pitchers.
ScouTing reporT: Burgos has a small frame and fairly average
stuff, but he mixes five pitches to keep hitters off balance. He
has some deception, changes speeds well and attacks hitters from
different angles. He throws an 87-93 mph fastball with two-seam
action and commands it well. He has nice feel for his changeup, a
plus pitch at times. Burgos also has a pair of fringy breaking
balls in his curveball and slider, and he also owns a cutter. He
eventually may go to just one breaking pitch to focus on its
development. He held lefties to a .152/.211/.205 line in 2011.THe
fuTure: While Burgos has a tiny frame, hes lefthanded and has
enough stuff to remain a starter. If he refines his pitches, he has
the upside of a No. 3 starter, but more realistically hell be a No.
4. Hell open 2012 in high Class A.2011 club (class) W L era g gS cg
SV ip H Hr BB So aVgWest Michigan (Lo A) 6 5 2.19 16 16 0 0 95 63 4
33 89 .189
8. alex burgos, lhp
Born: June 13, 1990. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-1.WT.: 210. DrafTeD:
Arkansas, 2011 (2nd round). SigneD By: Chris Wimmer.BackgrounD: The
Tigers gave up their 2011 first-round pick as compensation for free
agent Victor Martinez, so their first choice didnt come until No.
76. They took McCann, a defensive-minded catcher who hit .306 with
six homers as an Arkansas junior. He signed for $577,900, which was
exactly $100,000 over MLBs slot recommendation.ScouTing reporT:
While he isnt as advanced offensively as Rob Brantly, McCann gets
better reviews for his work behind the plate. He has a strong
frame, a solid arm and
leadership and game-calling skills. Some scouts who saw him as
an amateur labeled him a fringy receiver, but the Tigers believe
hes solid in that regard. McCanns bat is his biggest question. His
swing can get long and he has trouble catching up to good velocity.
He projects as a .260 hitter who can take advantage of mistakes and
produce some gap power. Hes a below-average runner.THe fuTure:
McCann doesnt have any standout tools, but he has the skills to
become a big league regular if his bat develops. If not, his
defense makes him an attractive option as a backup. Where Detroit
sends Brantly will affect McCanns 2012 assignment, but he figures
to spend his first full pro season in Class A.2011 club (class) aVg
oBp SLg aB r H 2B 3B Hr rBi BB So SBGCL Tigers (R) .357 .438 .643
14 1 5 1 0 1 6 1 1 0West Michigan (Lo A) .059 .132 .088 34 0 2 1 0
0 1 2 12 0
9. James mccaNN, c
Born: June 12, 1991. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-4.WT.: 240. SigneD:
Venezuela, 2007. SigneDBy: Alejandro Rodriguez/Pedro
Chavez.BackgrounD: Garcia was one of Detroits top international
signings in 2007, receiving a $200,000 bonus. He hit well in the
Rookie-level Venezuelan Summer League in his 2008 pro debut, but
that was the last time he produced good offensive numbers. The
Tigers have pushed him aggressively and he has batted
.271/.298/.391 in three seasons in the United States.ScouTing
reporT: While scouts havent come around on Garcias hitting, he
draws their interest with his big frame and his tools. The
ball jumps off his bat in batting practice, where he shows
above-average raw power, though he does it more with strength than
pure bat speed. He showed more usable power in 2011 as he learned
to get himself better pitches to hit, but he still has a long ways
to go. Garcia struggles against breaking balls, which will limit
his on-base percentage and result in a high strikeout rate. He has
the physical ability to be a plus defender in right field, running
well for his size and possessing an arm that earns 70 grades on the
20-80 scouting scale.THe fuTure: Garcia was born eight days before
the Padres Rymer Liriano, a toolsy out-fielder who finally put his
offensive game together in low Class A last year. The Tigers hope
for a similar breakout for Garcia in 2012, when he would be best
served returning to high Class A. They protected him on their
40-man roster in November.2011 club (class) aVg oBp SLg aB r H 2B
3B Hr rBi BB So SBLakeland (Hi A) .264 .297 .389 488 53 129 16 6 11
56 18 132 14
10. avisail garcia, of
