While the Tigers' 2011- 2012 off season has been quiet, if not downright boring up to this point, the organization has made some significant moves involving some of the most touted and most skilled players in the Tigers' minor league system.
No, I am not referring to the signing of light hitting Eric Patterson to a minor league contract, nor the release of Will Rhymes.
TigsTown.com has published its annual list of "best tools" in the Tigers organization this week. Mark Anderson writes the Tigers have removed from the 40-man roster their best athlete in Cale Iorg, and lost their fastest player, best defensive infielder and best infield arm to the Pirates when they selected shortstop Gustavo Nunez in the Rule 5 Draft. He was left exposed in the draft for the second consecutive year.
The Tigers instead opted to protect a pair of 20-year-olds in Avisail Garcia and Hernan Perez, who were promoted to the major league roster in November. Garcia was named best outfield defense.
Also removed from the roster was longtime top prospect Ryan Strieby, who has no daylight in his path to the major leagues as long as the Tigers have Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez on their roster.
Note: Tigstown.com is currently releasing their list of the Top 50 prospects. No's 41- 50 and No's 31- 40 have been published as free content. A more complete analysis is available for premium content subscribers to Tigstown.