Saturday, June 03, 2006

Detroit Tigers Prospect Report - 6/3/2006

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: 25-28

Wil Ledezma had another strong start on Wednesday pitching 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball and allowing 3 hits with 6 strike outs. For the season, Ledezma has a 2.88 ERA and 55/18 K/BB ratio in 56 1/3 innings. Zach Miner had a 2.82 ERA in 51 innings pitched before being called up by the Tigers. Former major leaguer Chad Durbin has a 2.93 ERA and 54/16 K/BB ratio in 70 2/3 innings. After allowing just 1 run on 4 hits in his 8 inning start this week, Colby Lewis has a 3.26 ERA in 60 2/3 innings. Jordan Tata pitched 7 innings allowing just 1 run in his start this week. He now has a 3.05 ERA in 4 starts for the Mud Hens…..Jack Hannahan is back from Detroit and is batting .287/.402/.419. A few other somewhat older hitters are trying to attract attention this year: Hot hitting Ryan Raburn is up to .290/.370/.530 after a slow start. Ryan Ludwick is batting .281/.357/.508 but has struck out 65 times in 199 at bats. After a 2 for 17 week, Josh Phelps is now batting .268/.335/.429.

Erie SeaWolves (AA)
Record: 27-27


Humberto Sanchez pitched 14 innings in two starts this week allowing 3 runs (2 earned) with 18 strike outs. His 1.76 ERA is 5th in the league and he leads the league with 86 strike outs in 71 2/3 innings. Nate Bumstead has a 3.27 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 66 innings. He has struggled a bit with his control (34 walks). Brian Rogers is having a good season as a middle reliever - 1.69 ERA and 35/3 K/BB ratio over 32 innings..... Brent Clevlen (.208/.311/.307) and Tony Giarratano (.236/.290/.345), both regarded by many as top prospects, are having disappointing seasons to this point. Kody Kirkland is hitting for power (12 home runs) but is batting .227 with a 9/74 BB/K ratio. The leading hitter is catcher Mike Rabelo - .296/.353/.480 in 35 games – but he is not highly regarded as a prospect.

Lakeland Tigers (A+)
Record: 28-26

Jair Jurrjens pitched 7 shutout innings in his only start this week to lower his ERA to 1.80 (3rd in the league) with a 50/7 k/BB ratio in 60 IP. Kyle Sleeth had his first start last night since his Tommy John surgery. He gave up 4 runs in 3 innings but it’s good to see that he’s back pitching again. Kevin Whelan is having major control problems (18 walks in 16 1/3 innings) and his ERA is 5.51. Andrew Kown, who joined Lakeland after 16 scoreless innings in West Michigan, has a 2.18 ERA in 6 starts for Lakeland. Kevin Ardoin has a 2.86 ERA and 43/5 K/BB ratio in 72 1/3 innings…..Jeff Larish is batting only .259 but is 4th in the league in walks (28) and 2nd in extra base hits (26). Other Lakeland hitting prospects are not doing as well. After a 3 for 23 week, Clete Thomas is hitting .249/.320/.397. Jeff Frazier is hitting .267/.302/.401. Wilken Ramirez went 1 for 22 this week and is now hitting .218/.255/.372. Chris Robinson is hitting .248/.317/.309.


Western Michigan Whitecaps (A)
Record: 32-20

Ramon Garcia pitched his first poor game of the year on Monday allowing 5 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He now is 5th in the league with a 1.69 ERA and has a 49/10 K/BB ratio in 64 innings. The 21 year old Garcia is left-handed and is 6-2 165 pounds. He was signed by the Tigers as a non-drafted free agent in May, 2004. Sendy Vazquez lowered his ERA to 2.55 and has a 46/18 K/BB ratio in 53 innings. Reliever Orlando Perdomo has a 1.64 ERA and 26/5 K/BB ratio in 22 innings as the Whitecaps closer. Another reliever Anthony Claggett has a 0.36 ERA in 25 1/3 innings…..Cameron Maybin has not played since May 6 because his right index finger keeps locking up on him. Tests revealed no ligament or structural damage and it apparently will not require surgery. However, he is wearing a splint and will probably be out at least another week. Justin Justice went 12 for 28 this week to bring his season numbers to .276/.324/.429. Matthew Joyce is hitting .266/.350/.439. Michael Hernandez is batting .372/.440/.512 in his first 11 professional games. Hernandez is 22 years old and is an undrafted free agent. I don’t know yet whether he’s going to be a real prospect.

1 comment:

  1. So you think we maybe see Ledezma up soon, what with Maroth's elbow an' all?

    ReplyDelete

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