Detroit Tigers Prospect Report - 6/10/2006

As the season goes along, I'll be doing periodic updates on many of the Tiger prospects throughout the minor leagues. I'm not going to list them in any particular order. I'm just going to list some of the most interesting prospects at each level. I won't mention every prospect on every report, just ones that seem noteworthy at the time I'm writing it. I may occasionally even talk about some marginal prospects who happen to be having good seasons. Here is this week’s report team by team:

Toledo Mud Hens (AAA)
Record: 28-32

Humberto Sanchez did well in his spot start for Toledo this week pitching 5 2/3 innings allowing 1 run on 6 hits and 2 walks with 5 strike outs. Prior to that start, he had a 1.76 ERA and 86/27 K/BB ratio in 71 2/3 innings for Erie. He is expected to make his next start for Erie. Wil Ledezma had another strong start on Monday pitching 8 innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts. For the season, Ledezma has a 2.80 ERA and 60/20 K/BB ratio in 64 1/3 innings. After allowing just 3 runs over 22 2/3 innings in his last 3 starts, Colby Lewis has a 2.87 ERA in 75 1/3 innings. Chad Durbin has a 3.20 ERA and 58/17 K/BB ratio in 76 innings. Jordan Tata has a 3.86 ERA in 5 starts for the Mud Hens…..Jack Hannahan went 10-28 with 5 doubles and a home run this week to raise his season numbers to .299/.394/.451. Ryan Raburn is batting .279/.363/.500. Ryan Ludwick is batting .279/.352/.491 but has struck out 71 times in 226 at bats. Josh Phelps was placed on the disabled list with a strained hip flexor. He is batting .281/.343/.449 for the season.

Erie SeaWolves (AA)
Record: 28-31

There is not much exciting news from Erie other than Humberto Sanchez (see above). Nate Bumstead has a 3.66 ERA and 58/35 K/BB ratio in 71 1/3 innings. Preston Larrison has a 3.99 ERA and 33/20 K/BB ratio in 65 1/3 innings. Virgil Vasquez has a 4.08 ERA and 42/23 K/BB ratio in 64 innings.....Tony Giarratano finally had a good week going 9 for 18 to raise his numbers to .256/.315/.361. Brent Clevlen is still struggling mightily hitting .198/.295/.290. Kody Kirkland is hitting for power (12 home runs) but is batting .235 with a 9/78 BB/K ratio. The leading hitter is catcher Mike Rabelo - .291/.349/.478 in 39 games – but he is not highly regarded as a prospect.

Lakeland Tigers (A+)
Record: 32-28

Jair Jurrjens pitched 7 shutout innings allowing 3 runs on Monday. He now has a 2.01 ERA with a 53/10 K/BB ratio in 67 IP. Kyle Sleeth has made two short starts since returning from Tommy John surgery. He has pitched 5 innings allowing 4 earned runs on 7 hits and 3 walks. It will be a long road back but at least he has taken the first step. After struggling with his control for a few weeks, Kevin Whelan seemed to regain his form striking out 8 and allowing 1 hit and 0 walks in 4 innings this week. He now has a 4.43 ERA and 28/18 K/BB ratio in 20 1/3 innings on the season. Kevin Ardoin has a 2.87 ERA and 46/7 K/BB ratio in 78 1/3 innings…..Jeff Larish hit 4 home runs this week and is now batting .256/.365/.502 with a league leading 30 extra base hits. Other Lakeland hitting prospects are not doing as well: Clete Thomas (254/.333/.395), Jeff Frazier (.256/.291/.384), Wilken Ramirez (.219/.252/.367), Chris Robinson (.259/.320/.340).

West Michigan Whitecaps (A)
Record: 36-23

Ramon Garcia pitched 5 innings allowing 1 run on 6 hits and a walk in his only start of the week. For the season, he has a 1.70 ERA and 53/11 K/BB ratio in 69 innings. Here are some stats for other Lakeland starters: Sendy Vazquez 3.08 ERA and 54/24 K/BB ratio in 64 1/3 innings, Burke Badenhop (3.36, 50/11 K/BB in 69 2/3 IP) and Lucas French (3.68 ERA, 48/21 K/BB ratio in 71 IP). Orlando Perdomo has a 1.57 ERA and 26/5 K/BB ratio in 23 innings as the Whitecaps closer. Another reliever Anthony Claggett has a 0.33 ERA in 27 1/3 innings…..Cameron Maybin returned from his finger injury and went 0-3 with 1 walk last night. He is batting .320/.403/.495 on the season. Michael Holliman went 11-23 with 7 walks this week and is now batting .278/.396/.434 overall. Justin Justice is batting .267/.319/.405. Matthew Joyce is hitting .260/.338/.413. Michael Hernandez is batting .362/.423/.565 in his first 17 professional games. Hernandez is 22 years old and was a non-drafted free agent. I don’t know yet whether he’s going to be a real prospect.