Tigers Prospects watch

It still is very early in the season but it seems like some of the Tigers prospects are really up to something this season. From Low-A all the way up to AAA there are some young players who have had a hot start and keep producing a high level. Some of them like Furbush and Below have even earned some attention from outsiders. A nice little article at Baseball America about Furbush and his increased velocity and IL Pitcher of the Week honours for Below is proof that the organization has a little bit more to show in the farm other than Turner and Oliver. In fact, if you forgive a little exaggeration, the Mud Hens lefty starters are pitching like the Oakland As fearsome four lefties.

Moving on, I have compiled a small list of prospects who have been hot during the last few days. I have excluded Turner and Oliver because we all know how good they are and their last outings reflect their value despite the different results.

1. Duane Below, LHP, Toledo Mudhens: 36.1 IP, 2.97 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 31/11 K/BB                                                            
Below went 8 innings and struck out 11 while giving up 1 run and walking 1 against Charlotte. If it wasn't  for Enrique Gonzalez he would have got the win. He has allowed 2 or fewer runs in his last four outings, each of which went at least 6 innings.

2. Charlie Furbush, LHP, Toledo Mudhens: 33.1 IP, 2.97 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 41/10 K/BB
Furbush had that one poor outing against Pawtucket, but otherwise he's a rock. BA notes in its article that he has increased his velocity and has occasionaly hit 94 on the radar. I don't know if that is accurate but he again leads the Mudhens pitchers in Ks. His peripherals are superb although that .168 BAA is unsustainable.

3. Gustavo Nunez, SS, Lakeland Flying Tigers: 115 PA, 322/383/496 3HR, 11BB/13K

The lead off man for Lakeland has so far shown suprising power. He doesn't walk much, but doesn't strike out much either. If he stops hitting he might find himslef in trouble. Actually he is going through a slump lately, so still posting such numbers would give you an idea just how hot he was at the start of the season. He needs to stop running wild at the basepaths because he is caught too many times (5SB/5CS).

4. Francisco Martinez, 3B, Erie Seawolves: 93 PA, 237/301/419 4HR, 9BB/26K

I think we really have something here. In the last 10 games he has hit 294/368/588. Last season he hit a total of 3 HR. So far he already has 4. He is still 21 and had a very rough start at AA, but he's coming up quickly.

5. Tony Plagman, 1B/DH, Lakeland Flying Tigers: 123 PA, 293/374/480 5HR, 14BB/15K

This kid can hit and at this level he can hit for average and power. I don't know what his ceiling might be but for Hi-A he is too good. Until now he leads the entire organization in RBI with 30 and together with Nunez they form a terrific duo at the top and the middle of Lakeland's order.

There are also many other who have done well so far: Adam Wilk, Ryan Strieby, Audy Ciriaco, Danny Worth (don't scratch your heads about that, he's just my favorite), Antonio Cruz, Bruce Rondon, Rob Brantly, Julio Rodriguez and many others. Andy Dirks may soon find himself wearing the D in his cap.

Once again I have to stress that I don't know whether or not these kids will keep up their production at their current level. But so far they 've been pretty exciting. You are welcome to add any player has caught your attention so far.