Detroit Tigers Mid-Season Top 15 Prospects

This is my Top 15 prospects for the Detroit Tigers here at the halfway point. This list includes 2011 draft picks that have signed. Stats are as of August 20, 2011.



1. Jacob Turner, RHP - 3-5, 3.63 ERA, 119 IP, 108 H, 34 BB, 96 K (AA/AAA)

Turner

The 2009 1st-rounder has progressed without any problems through the minors and even made a successful ML debut in July. He has a chance to start next year in Detroit's Opening Day rotation.

2. Nick Castellanos, 3B - 448 AB, .308/.362/.431, 6 HR, 68 RBI, 38 BB, 116 K, 2 SB 2 CS (A)

Castellanos started off slow but has turned it on the past few months showing the Tigers why the gave him so much money out of high school last year. Could use a better approach at the plate but has a special bat.

3. Andy Oliver, LHP - 7-10, 4.92 ERA, 128 IP, 136 H, 64 BB, 124 K (AAA)

Oliver has struggled in his two ML starts and has been less than stellar at Toledo but he still has the potential to be a No.2 starter. He could challenge for a spot in the Opening Day rotation.

4. Drew Smyly, LHP - 10-4, 2.29 ERA, 102.1 IP, 87 H, 33 BB, 103 K (A+/AA)

The 2010 2nd-round pick has had an outstanding year as a polished lefty and could be in Detroit with Turner and Oliver by mid-2012.

5. Casey Crosby, LHP - 8-5, 3.57 ERA, 118.1 IP, 104 H, 70 BB, 104 K (AA)

Although he has struggled with walks Crosby has had a relatively encouraging year coming off of Tommy John surgery in 2010.

6. Bruce Rondon, RHP - 2-2, 2.03 ERA, 40 IP, 22 H, 34 BB, 61 K (A)

Rondon was having a breakout year as West Michigan's closer when he went on the disabled list in late July with a tired right shoulder.

7. James McCann, C - 14 AB, .357/.438/.643, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 SB 0 CS (RK)

McCann is above-average defensively behind the plate and he could be solid with the bat, but I don't see him as anything more than a decent everyday catcher for the Tigers first pick in the 2011 draft.

8. Ryan Strieby, 1B - 443 AB, .262/.350/.447, 18 HR, 71 RBI, 56 BB, 153 K, 4 SB 2 CS (AAA)

Strieby has shown impressive power along with a propensity for striking out, but he should be an important September call-up for 1st-place Detroit.

9. Rob Brantly, C - 374 AB, .286/.340/.428, 10 HR, 59 RBI, 27 BB, 49 K, 2 SB 2 CS (A/A+)

Brantly has shown an excellent bat to go along with above-average defense at catcher in earning a promotion to Lakeland in July.

10. Alex Burgos, LHP - 6-4, 2.44 ERA, 73.2 IP, 52 H, 28 BB, 76 K (A)

Burgos has shown excellent command of three solid pitches in 13 starts for West Michigan as a 20-year old.

11. Aaron Westlake, 1B - 84 AB, .213/.283/.345, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 8 BB, 24 K, 0 SB 0 CS (RK/SS)

A powerful 1B out of Vanderbilt, Westlake has struggled in his first taste of pro ball but he has the potential to hit for big-time power.

12. Daniel Fields, OF - 385 AB, .226/.317/.340, 8 HR, 43 RBI, 45 BB, 123 K, 3 SB 4 CS (A)

A toolsy Detroit prep product, Fields has struggled to put it all together at West Michigan but the Tigers can afford to be patient with him.

13. Avisail Garcia, OF - 433 AB, .261/.296/.367, 8 HR, 48 RBI, 17 BB, 120 K, 14 SB 4 CS (A+)

The 20-year old Venezuelan has a ton of power potential, but like many toolsy outfielders he struggles with strikeouts which will hamper him as he progresses through the minors.

14. Tony Plagman, 1B - 470 AB, .262/.335/.447, 17 HR, 90 RBI, 45 BB, 84 K, 0 SB 1 CS (A+)

A Florida State League All-Star, Plagman has shown above-average power in his first full season out of Georgia Tech.

15. Adam Wilk, LHP - 8-5, 3.15 ERA, 97 IP, 97 H, 13 BB, 69 K (AAA)

Wilk should get a September call-up to Detroit after showing excellent control in 16 starts for Toledo.

SLEEPER

Juaner Aguasvivas, 1B - 153 AB, .307/.363/.595, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 11 BB, 42 K, 3 SB 0 CS (RK)

Although he is a little old for the GCL, the 6'4" 248 lb. Aguasvivas has shown a lot of power in only 153 AB after spending 2007-2009 in the DSL.