Detroit Tigers News: Kody Clemens promoted to Double-A Erie

Every day that passes is one less day left of baseball for fans to enjoy. This impending reality will have a substantial effect on how various major league clubs shuffle their farms systems and prepare for September’s expanded rosters.

As the end of the minor league season approaches, fans can expect to see some last-minute prospect promotions as the organization makes some final moves before the MiLB offseason. The Tigers will be making those moves as well, and one of the first of such moves leads off this Wednesday’s list of links.

Kody Clemens promoted to Erie

The Tigers’ third round pick of the 2018 amateur draft Kody Clemens has been promoted to Double-A Erie to finish off his season. The second-year second baseman did not have the best statistical season in Lakeland, but he has shown that at his worst he is an average hitter with a little bit of pop in his bat.

While his mild regression between 2018 and 2019 may signal that he is approaching his talent ceiling, the Florida State League is notoriously hard on hitters, which may mean that there is still a bit more headroom left for his development. He will get the chance to finish off the season on a high note with the SeaWolves.

Blaine Hardy’s PRP injection an initial success

In an effort to side-step surgery, Blaine Hardy visited the infamous Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla. and received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to treat his lingering left elbow injury. All signs indicate that the procedure was a success, and hopefully he is on his way to recovery and will be ready to fight for a spot in the spring of 2020.

The young gun at the head of the rebuild

Sam Menzin is probably a name you are not familiar with, but this young man plays a significant role in the Tigers’ rebuild. After reading Moneyball as a 13 year-old and working with former general manager Dave Dombrowski and his staff as a college student, he has slowly climbed the ranks to one of the most important positions in the Detroit Tigers organization.

At the age of 29, Menzin is now in his fourth year as the director of baseball operations and professional scouting. While the position may seem ignominious to some given the great deal of fan dissatisfaction with the current rebuild, the story of his ascent is rather fascinating. From precocious tween to failed Division III pitcher to video and statistical analyst to the top of the Tigers organization, it has been quite a path he has blazed.

Matt Manning’s pitch grips

Check out these video interviews with Matt Manning, which include him demonstrating his various pitch grips.

Matthew Boyd placed on paternity list

Mazel tov Matthew and his family for their upcoming new bundle of joy.

Around the horn

Ex-Detroit Tigers pitcher Octavio Dotel arrested in link to Dominican drug ring. Fan who signed with Oakland A’s strikes out side in debut. The Athletic now has more than a half-million readers, but can it turn a profit? If everything goes to plan: September call-ups and the option squeeze. Going deep: all the Jazz Chisholm. We’ve reached the peak of position players pitching.

Baseball is awesome: 2006 edition