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.

Colorado Rockies Mid-Season Top 15 Prospects

This is my Top 15 prospects for the Colorado Rockies here at the halfway point. This list includes 2011 draft picks that have signed. Stats are as of August 19, 2011.

1. Drew Pomeranz, LHP - 4-3, 1.84 ERA, 98 IP, 68 H, 38 BB, 116 K (A+/AA)

The Indians 1st-round pick last year has been nothing short of fantastic this year and is one of the premier lefty prospects in all of baseball.

Pomeranz

2. Nolan Arenado, 3B - 461 AB, .295/.342/.482, 17 HR, 108 RBI, 39 BB, 47 K, 2 SB 1 CS (A+)

Just 20 years old Arenado has been a run producing machine with a great approach at the plate and outstanding strike-zone discipline. His power also continues to come around nicely along with his defensive play.

3. Alex White, RHP - 2-1, 1.80 ERA, 40 IP, 29 H, 6 BB, 38 K (AAA/AA)

White used his plus fastball/splitter combo to earn a big-league promotion while with Cleveland. He is currently on a rehab assignment after being traded to the Rockies but he is ML ready right now.

4. Tim Wheeler, OF - 491 AB, .289/.369/.544, 29 HR, 79 RBI, 52 BB, 125 K, 18 SB 11 CS (AA)

Wheeler is having a breakout year, especially in the power department. The strikeouts are a little troubling but its hard not to be excited about his power/speed abilities in right field.

5. Chad Bettis, RHP - 11-5, 3.37 ERA, 154.2 IP, 132 H, 43 BB, 165 K (A+)

Bettis has little left to prove in the hitter-friendly California League as he has used his low to mid 90's fastball and plus slider that he locates well to baffle opposing hitters.

6. Wilin Rosario, C - 358 AB, .254/.288/.455, 18 HR, 41 RBI, 16 BB, 77 K, 1 SB 2 CS (AA)

Power is the name of the game for Rosario as he has 18 homers and a plus arm behind the plate. However his OBP is surprisingly low in his 2nd stint with Tulsa.

7. Kyle Parker, OF - 398 AB, .279/.361/.485, 20 HR, 88 RBI, 42 BB, 120 K, 1 SB 0 CS (A)

The former Clemson quarterback has impressed with his power in his first full pro season, although he needs to cut down on the strikeouts if he wants to succeed at the higher levels.

8. Rex Brothers, LHP - 3-2, 2.89 ERA, 28 IP, 29 H, 15 BB, 45 K (AAA)

Brothers earned a big-league promotion in early June and has entrenched himself in the back of the Colorado bullpen and could challenge for the closer role some day.

9. Tyler Anderson, LHP - 8-3, 2.17 ERA, 107.2 IP, 73 H, 35 BB, 114 K (College)

Anderson shows great poise on the mound and has a solid low 90's fastball and a plus change with and improving slider. Should move relatively quickly through the minors as a polished lefty.

10. Edwar Cabrera, LHP - 8-2, 3.36 ERA, 150 IP, 143 H, 36 BB, 192 K (A/A+)

Although he is old for his levels at 23, Cabrera has dominated batters at Asheville and Modesto striking out 11.52 batters per 9 innings. Next year we will see if he can prove himself in the upper minors.

11. Josh Rutledge, SS - 397 AB, .343/.405/.474, 4 HR, 55 RBI, 35 BB, 81 K, 14 SB 3 CS (A+)

Rutledge has risen up as a relatively unheralded 3rd-round pick, but he shows the potential to be a great No.2 hitter and shows a great glove at SS.

12. Christian Friedrich, LHP - 6-8, 4.64 ERA, 120.1 IP, 136 H, 37 BB, 92 K (AA)

Friedrich has been very hittable this year despite his stuff, leaving the ball up in the zone. He has kept his walks down which is nice but he hasn't been able to finish hitters in favorable counts.

13. Tyler Matzek, LHP - 2-7, 7.34 ERA, 76 IP, 68 H, 88 BB, 87 K (A+/A)

2011 has been an absolute train wreck of a year for Matzek, although there is light at the end of the tunnel as he has been good in his three August starts.

14. Trevor Story, SS - 114 AB, .289/.390/.482, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 18 BB, 24 K, 9 SB 0 CS (RK)

Story was one of my favorite 2011 draft prospects as a 5-tool shortstop. He is more than holding his own as a pro so far and could be near the top of this list by the end of next season.

15. Peter Tago, RHP - 3-4, 6.21 ERA, 82.2 IP, 76 H, 59 BB, 55 K (A)

Tago has struggled with his control almost as much as Tyler Matzek and one can only hope for a fresh start next season for the young righty with electric stuff.


SLEEPER

Samuel Mende, SS - 139 AB, .281/.363/.633, 12 HR, 35 RBI, 14 BB, 40 K, 5 SB 2 CS (RK)

The Rockies picked Mende in the 31st round of the 2011 draft and all he has done his hit for a ridiculous .633 SLG percentage with 12 homers in just 139 AB so far for Casper. Mende is part of a talented group of shortstops that fills the Rockies farm system, although they all have to look up to All-Star Troy Tulowitzki in Colorado.

Joey Gallo Draft Profile

Name: Joey Gallo

Position: 3rd Base/Right-Handed Pitcher

Year: Junior

School: Bishop Gorman HS (NV)

Bats/Throws: Left/Right

Height/Weight: 6'5"/ 205

Gallo

D.O.B.: 11/19/1993

College Commitment: Louisiana State

Scouting Report: Joey Gallo is one of the premier prep bats in the 2012 draft class out of Bishop Gorman High in Nevada. He is an imposing figure at the plate with a left-handed swing that provides easy power to all fields. He has a smooth swing and puts on fireworks displays when he takes batting practice. Joey's new highlight of his career was when he hit a home run that traveled 442 feet at the Perfect Game All-American Classic that earned him MVP honors. It was the longest homer ever at the All-American Classic and the 10th longest homer ever hit at the Padres' Petco Park. Gallo also shows solid actions at 3rd Base and is very athletic for a guy his size. He has a plus arm that fires bullets across the diamond. That arm is also helpful on the mound where he is consistently in the low 90's with his fastball and tops out at 94. Gallo also has the makings of an above-average curveball and decent change-up. He can struggle with quality off speed offerings at times while batting although the bat does stay through the zone long in his swing and he should become more adept at hitting secondary offerings at the next level. I consider Gallo to be a better position prospect right now, although some teams may see his big body and 94 MPH fastball and want to put him on the hill.

Future Grades:

Batting	60
Power	65
Speed	50
Fielding	55
Arm	60
Overall	60

Fastball	65
Curveball	55
Change-up	50
Command/Control	55
Delivery	60
Overall	55

Stats:

Year	Team	AVG	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	OBP	SLG	OPS
2009	BIS	.402	97	44	39	6	31	4	0	28	23	.527	.680	1.207
2010	BIS	.474	114	41	54	15	62	2	1	17	19	.529	1.044	1.573
2011	BIS	.471	121	64	57	25	76	8	3	24	17	.558	1.198	1.756

Year	Team	W	L	SV	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	SO/9
2009	BIS	0	0	0	0.00	2	0	2	1	3	5	2.00	22.50
2010	BIS	1	2	1	4.60	6	2	24.1	24	13	21	1.54	7.84
2011	BIS	3	2	1	1.12	8	4	18.2	12	12	29	1.32	14.34

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