More
Contact
Submit
Premium
These rankings are based on MLB.com's evaluations.
10. Jose Ortega, RHP: The reliever, signed by the Tigers in 2006, finally made it to full-season ball last year, splitting time between West Michigan, Lakeland, and Erie. He put up a solid total ERA (3.03) while fanning 61 batters of 68.1 innings. He made his season debut last night for Toledo, allowing a run on a hit and two walks. ETA: 2012
9. Chance Ruffin, RHP: The 22-year-old righty reliever was drafted No. 48 overall by the Tigers in 2010. In his first 12.2 minor league innings, he has held the closers role in Erie. He has yielded 12 hits and six walks to go with 12 strikeouts. (ERA 3.71, FIP 3.97) ETA: 2013
8. Avisail Garcia, OF: The 19-year-old has struggled so far this year in Lakeland. He has only 32 hits in 147 at-bats with limited power (only 8 extra base hits). However, he shows great range in the OF and has a strong arm. Lakeland is also a rather high level for someone his age, so his bat isn't a worry at this point in his development yet. ETA: 2013
7. Drew Smyly, LHP: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2010, Smyly (21) was a starter in Lakeland before an injury forced him out of the rotation. In three starts he pitched 17.2 innings, allowing 8 runs on 22 hits and just three walks. He also struck out 14. ETA: 2013
6. Francisco Martinez, 3B: Martinez (20) has made it to Erie after spending last year in Lakeland. So far he only has a slash line of .235/.288/.391, though that's not terrible for a hitter of his youth at the AA level. ETA: 2013
5. Daniel Fields, OF: The son of former Tigers coach Bruce, son Daniel (20) is in Lakeland this season. After a slow April, Fields has flashed his power in May with 5 doubles, a triple, and 2 HRs. He has a great power/speed combo and seems to be progressing nicely after the Tigers selected him in the 6th round in 2009. ETA: 2013
4. Casey Crosby, LHP: Despite being set back by Tommy John surgery in 2008, there is still a lot of promise with the stuff of the 22-year-old starter. A 5th round selection in 2007, has thrown under 150 innings the past three years. This season at Erie, Crosby has pitched 35.2 innings and sports an ERA of 3.79. He has allowed just 29 hits and has K'd 32, though he has also walked 21. ETA: 2013
3. Nick Castellanos, 3B: Just 18, Castellanos has showed the explosive bat that made him a 1st round pick in 2010. After a slow start in April, he has 2 doubles, 3 triples, and 3 HR's in May. At such a young age, when most hitters would be in extended spring training still, this is an excellent sign. ETA: 2014
2. Andy Oliver, LHP: After getting a cup of coffee in the majors last year, Oliver is in Toledo in 2011 and pitching very well. In 43.2 innings, Oliver has allowed 35 hits, 17 walks, and only 14 runs (sub-3.00 ERA). He also has K'd 43 batters. Rumor has it, he will be in Detroit within a week or two. ETA: 2011, possibly before May is up.
1. Jacob Turner, RHP: The No. 9 overall pick in 2009 and a Top 15 overall prospect in all of baseball, Turner has been displaying maturity beyond his 19 years of age so far in Erie. In 45.1 innings he has an ERA of 2.58 while striking out 36 and only walking 11. ETA: 2012
10. Jose Ortega, RHP: The reliever, signed by the Tigers in 2006, finally made it to full-season ball last year, splitting time between West Michigan, Lakeland, and Erie. He put up a solid total ERA (3.03) while fanning 61 batters of 68.1 innings. He made his season debut last night for Toledo, allowing a run on a hit and two walks. ETA: 2012
9. Chance Ruffin, RHP: The 22-year-old righty reliever was drafted No. 48 overall by the Tigers in 2010. In his first 12.2 minor league innings, he has held the closers role in Erie. He has yielded 12 hits and six walks to go with 12 strikeouts. (ERA 3.71, FIP 3.97) ETA: 2013
8. Avisail Garcia, OF: The 19-year-old has struggled so far this year in Lakeland. He has only 32 hits in 147 at-bats with limited power (only 8 extra base hits). However, he shows great range in the OF and has a strong arm. Lakeland is also a rather high level for someone his age, so his bat isn't a worry at this point in his development yet. ETA: 2013
7. Drew Smyly, LHP: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2010, Smyly (21) was a starter in Lakeland before an injury forced him out of the rotation. In three starts he pitched 17.2 innings, allowing 8 runs on 22 hits and just three walks. He also struck out 14. ETA: 2013
6. Francisco Martinez, 3B: Martinez (20) has made it to Erie after spending last year in Lakeland. So far he only has a slash line of .235/.288/.391, though that's not terrible for a hitter of his youth at the AA level. ETA: 2013
5. Daniel Fields, OF: The son of former Tigers coach Bruce, son Daniel (20) is in Lakeland this season. After a slow April, Fields has flashed his power in May with 5 doubles, a triple, and 2 HRs. He has a great power/speed combo and seems to be progressing nicely after the Tigers selected him in the 6th round in 2009. ETA: 2013
4. Casey Crosby, LHP: Despite being set back by Tommy John surgery in 2008, there is still a lot of promise with the stuff of the 22-year-old starter. A 5th round selection in 2007, has thrown under 150 innings the past three years. This season at Erie, Crosby has pitched 35.2 innings and sports an ERA of 3.79. He has allowed just 29 hits and has K'd 32, though he has also walked 21. ETA: 2013
3. Nick Castellanos, 3B: Just 18, Castellanos has showed the explosive bat that made him a 1st round pick in 2010. After a slow start in April, he has 2 doubles, 3 triples, and 3 HR's in May. At such a young age, when most hitters would be in extended spring training still, this is an excellent sign. ETA: 2014
2. Andy Oliver, LHP: After getting a cup of coffee in the majors last year, Oliver is in Toledo in 2011 and pitching very well. In 43.2 innings, Oliver has allowed 35 hits, 17 walks, and only 14 runs (sub-3.00 ERA). He also has K'd 43 batters. Rumor has it, he will be in Detroit within a week or two. ETA: 2011, possibly before May is up.
1. Jacob Turner, RHP: The No. 9 overall pick in 2009 and a Top 15 overall prospect in all of baseball, Turner has been displaying maturity beyond his 19 years of age so far in Erie. In 45.1 innings he has an ERA of 2.58 while striking out 36 and only walking 11. ETA: 2012