Bless You Boys - 2017 BYB Tigers prospect rankingsA detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2017-03-03T09:00:02-05:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/142722232017-03-03T09:00:02-05:002017-03-03T09:00:02-05:005 Tigers sleeper prospects to watch
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<figcaption>Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>These five players just missed the cut in our prospect rankings, but are worth your attention this season.</p> <p id="CIqSpA">Over the past month, we have been busy profiling the best prospects in the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a>’ farm system. You may disagree with where some players were ranked, but overall I feel like it offers an accurate portrayal of the current prospect hierarchy within the Tigers’ minor league system.</p>
<p id="sXJhiw">Last year, I tried to <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2016/3/5/11165720/detroit-tigers-top-prospects-jose-azocar-julio-martinez-anthony-pereira">identify five under-the-radar prospects</a> within the Tigers’ system. All five of those players were Latin American signings who had not yet reached full season ball. One, outfielder Jose Azocar, <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/2/7/14279540/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-jose-azocar-scouting-report">went on to have a great season</a> with the West Michigan Whitecaps. Another, second baseman Hector Martinez, <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/2/16/14206804/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-hector-martinez-scouting-report">was listed 12th in our organizational rankings</a> this year. The others may still contribute, but are a long way off from the major leagues.</p>
<p id="UCMLTP">This year, I decided to take a slightly different approach. We will still highlight a few players light years away from the major leagues, but I also found a couple of compelling statistical anomalies higher up in the Tigers’ system. Regardless of where these players ply their trade in 2017, you should keep an eye on the box scores.</p>
<h4 id="0id6K5">RHP Artie Lewicki</h4>
<p id="J7Bqwg">An eighth round pick out of Virginia in 2014, Lewicki has been largely overlooked so far in his professional career. He pitched out of the bullpen for the Cavaliers in 2013 after having Tommy John surgery in 2012, and the Tigers used him as a reliever after he signed in 2014. He shifted back to the rotation with the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps in 2015, and has posted solid numbers ever since. In 32 appearances (30 starts) over the past two minor league seasons, Lewicki has a 3.48 ERA. He has 154 strikeouts to 44 walks in 168 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings, a solid-if-unspectacular ratio of 3.5 punchouts to every walk.</p>
<p id="GSNMyu">Things seemed to click a little bit in 2016, though. Lewicki walked just 19 batters in 89 innings, an excellent 5.1 percent rate. He largely maintained his strikeout rate has he jumped to Double-A Erie, where he made 12 starts with a 3.48 ERA. <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-19-prospects-detroit-tigers/">FanGraphs’ Carson Cistulli</a> singled him out in this year’s Tigers prospect rankings. According to <a href="http://www.minorleagueball.com/2017/2/13/14590010/top-performing-starting-pitchers-of-the-2016-minors-per-the-fabio">Minor League Ball’s FaBIO evaluation system</a>*, Lewicki was one of the top performers in the minor leagues last season due to his impressive batted ball profile. Lewicki scored well with a 55.8 percent ground ball rate and additional 9.4 percent pop-up rate. His 13.9 percent line drive rate (per <a href="http://mlbfarm.com/player.php?player_id=592499&position=P">MLBFarm</a>) is a bit unsustainable, especially as he finally starts to see age-appropriate competition. However, if the numbers are any indication, he might eventually become a useful back-end starter who excels at missing barrels.</p>
<p id="EOmjnh"><em>*The most impressive thing about Lewicki’s performance is the company he finds himself in. Directly surrounding him are some of the more heralded pitching prospects in baseball, including </em><span><em>Jose De Leon</em></span><em>, </em><span><em>Jharel Cotton</em></span><em>, </em><span><em>David Paulino</em></span><em>, and </em><span><em>Jose Berrios</em></span><em>.</em></p>
<h4 id="jGMxf8">SS Wenceel Perez</h4>
<p id="d6UO2d">Nothing says “under the radar” like Perez, who doesn’t even have a Baseball Reference page yet. The young shortstop was one of the Tigers’ bigger international signees in 2016, but has yet to play in a professional game. That doesn’t stop <a href="http://www.scout.com/mlb/tigers/story/1751605-tigstown-top-50-scouting-reports-50-46">TigsTown’s Mark Anderson</a> from giving Perez above-average future grades on four of his five tools, with raw power the lone exception. His speed, defense, and arm could all be plus tools one day, with the hit tool not far behind. Anderson believe the Tigers could move Perez quickly if the bat pans out, which could lead to him shooting up prospect rankings in the future.</p>
<p id="qfPhXF">Plus, his name is Wenceel. What’s not to love?</p>
<h4 id="0YH5VK">LHP Matt Hall</h4>
<p id="y8uTRP">I’m still not sure what to make of Hall, a slightly undersized lefthander drafted out of Missouri State in 2015. Hall dominated the Midwest League last season, posting a 1.09 ERA and 3.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 12 starts with the Whitecaps. He struggled after a midseason promotion to Advanced-A Lakeland, allowing a 4.15 ERA in 60 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings pitched. His strikeout and walk rates both trended in the wrong direction, hinting that his high-80s fastball would not fool more advanced hitters.</p>
<p id="wjkcYU">There’s a bit more to this, though. Hall’s BABIP crept upward after his promotion, and he stranded fewer runners on base. He still maintained a solid 20.5 percent strikeout rate in the Florida State League, and only allowed home runs at a league average rate. Hall was also hell on lefties last year, limiting them to a .178 batting average and .282 on-base percentage in 149 plate appearances. With an above-average curveball already in tow, he is one more pitch away from carving out a decent major league career. Whether that comes as a LOOGY or in the back of a starting rotation depends on how his command develops over the next couple years.</p>
<h4 id="Kn01As">OF Ulrich Bojarski</h4>
<p id="kLCDO8">Trust me, I didn’t make this name up.</p>
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<p id="rLV9xv">Bojarski is an 18-year-old Australian outfielder who has yet to appear in a game as a member of the Tigers organization. He hit .243/.268/.360 in 38 games with the Perth Heat of the Australian Baseball League in 2016, and managed just nine extra base hits in 136 at-bats. It’s important to remember how young he is, though; in ABL competition, Bojarski is often facing pitchers five years his superior, if not more. <a href="http://www.scout.com/mlb/tigers/story/1697350-tigers-ink-two-from-down-under">TigsTown’s Mark Anderson</a> identifies Bojarski as a potential right or center fielder thanks to his solid arm strength and athleticism. He is a loooooong way off from the major leagues right now, but could be a real difference maker if everything clicks.</p>
<h4 id="N6ecvy">LHP Gregory Soto</h4>
<p id="4Lguzj">The Tigers threw Soto into the deep end last season, handing him 15 starts at Short-Season Connecticut, their New York-Penn League affiliate. Soto remained afloat, allowing a 3.03 ERA and 3.28 FIP in 71 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings. His peripherals were not pretty, though. Soto only allowed one home run, and walked 34 batters to just 62 strikeouts. If we were to repeat those 15 starts, his ERA would probably tick up by a half run or more.</p>
<p id="E6rl8y">There’s a lot to like here, though. Soto throws hard, reaching 95-96 miles per hour at times with his fastball. TigsTown’s Mark Anderson notes that both of Soto’s secondary pitches are below average at this point, but any improvement in either pitch and he becomes a legitimate relief arm. The Tigers, of course, are hoping that both improve —along with his command, which sure needs work — and he reaches his ultimate ceiling as a mid-rotation starter.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/3/3/14690748/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-artie-lewicki-matt-hall-gregory-sotoRob Rogacki2017-03-02T09:00:00-05:002017-03-02T09:00:00-05:00BYB Prospect #25: Jairo Labourt
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<figcaption>Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Labourt has the potential to be a star, but his command is a big problem.</p> <p id="hOaqOJ"><span>Jairo Labourt</span> came to the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> in the 2015 trade that sent <span>David Price</span> to the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a>. While Daniel Norris and <span>Matt Boyd</span>, the other acquisitions in that deal, have established themselves as major league caliber starting pitchers to varying degrees, Labourt distinctly remains a work in progress. After a disastrous year in High-A ball with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, a trip to the major leagues remains a very long way for our 25th ranked prospect.</p>
<p id="bkhvgn">The 22-year-old Dominican is probably the hardest throwing lefthander in the Tigers’ system. As such, his path to major league service time is an easier one than for many other players. Labourt would have to make major improvements in two areas to make that leap. But his issues are so stark that if he ever sorts them out, a call-up to the majors won’t be far behind.</p>
<h4 id="4CfXwR">Strengths</h4>
<p id="49utfr">Labourt’s major attribute as a pitcher is velocity. More precisely, he has the type of velocity that few lefthanders possess, even in the major leagues. That velocity gives him a fallback position as a potential future reliever at the major league level, his presumed ceiling as a pitcher. <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-19-prospects-detroit-tigers/">Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs</a> detailed Labourt’s fastball in his most recent prospect report.</p>
<blockquote><p id="Jue0xU">As a starter, Labourt sits 91-94 with sink and will touch as high as 96. His fastball plays up in relief.</p></blockquote>
<p id="ZX8u9G">The fastball is Labourt’s calling card. Throwing from a low three-quarters arm slot, Labourt has some funk to his delivery, and that arm slot produces quality armside fade and sink. The movement serves him very well, as Labourt has only allowed 18 home runs in over 400 innings in the minor leagues.</p>
<p id="Cj3ych">In fact, he has proven extremely difficult to hit, even for right-handed batters. Overall, batters hit for an average of just .202 against him in 2016, despite his control issues. The question is, if Labourt does start to locate his pitches with consistency, how much easier will he be to hit?</p>
<p id="LwSG0N">The other pitch that draws intermittent raves from scouts is Labourt’s slider. While his command of the pitch remains decidedly inconsistent, he breaks off enough good ones to impress observers with its movement. <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-19-prospects-detroit-tigers/">Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs</a> describes it in glowing terms.</p>
<blockquote><p id="EXcKgU">He has a plus potential slider in the mid-80s that has vicious two-plane bite when he breaks off a good one.</p></blockquote>
<p id="FA7gkG">Despite Labourt’s command issues, particularly with the slider, he has continued to put up good strikeout rates all along. That alone speaks to the quality of the breaking ball, which remains his primary swing-and-miss offering. The pattern is clear: two very good offerings when his command is good. Unfortunately, his command is rarely good.</p>
<h4 id="tSzEwN">Weakness</h4>
<p id="C6NR35">Command — and even simply raw control, like with so many prospect arms — remains completely unpredictable for Labourt. His walk rates have remained high throughout pro ball, with nary a dent made by instruction in either the Blue Jays or the Tigers’ farm systems. All those issues came to a head in 2016, and drove him out of his starting role. Labourt walked an incredible 70 batters across just 87 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings. Things improved in the bullpen, but even there his walk rate per nine innings was well over five.</p>
<p id="KbB5P4">Those issues made it difficult to see any future for Labourt at the major league level. Glimpses of an outstanding lefthander flash here or there, but never with any consistency. For Labourt to ever fulfill his potential, major improvements will need to occur. </p>
<p id="1CC5VJ">As a starter, Labourt will throw a change-up which is fringe average on its good days. Generally, though, it’s a pitch that Labourt struggles to both locate and to disguise by maintaining his arm speed. All these issues add up to a likelihood that Labourt’s days as a starter are over. The Tigers may decide to give Labourt another shot, but you can probably put your money on a relief role in 2017.</p>
<p id="cDinQQ">Labourt does display a pretty clean delivery without a lot of wasted motion or red flags. However, he has a distinct tendency to fly open through his release and struggles to find his landing point with his lead leg. At 6’4 and 205 pounds, he has the size to project as a starter, but both the changeup and command will have to improve drastically this year for there to remain any hope of a future in the rotation. He’s a more likely candidate to stay in relief, as he already has the raw stuff in his primary offerings to blow away hitters in short stints. </p>
<p id="8iuWYs">After compliments for the fastball and slider, <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=27899">Christopher Crawford at Baseball Prospectus</a> had this to say about Labourt’s future back in 2016.</p>
<blockquote><p id="yaVuBu">So why is Labourt not in the top 10? Because he too often has no clue where any of those pitches are going—oh, and the word flash is key, as the change and slider are consistently closer to 40-grade pitches than their best selves. At just 21, there’s time to make the necessary mechanical adjustment—keeping his shoulder in, working on a consistent landing spot, etc.—but as is, he’s not someone with good enough command to pitch in high-leverage situations, let alone start.</p></blockquote>
<p id="DZqkNp">In short, Labourt remains a complete flier as a prospect. He has the potential to become an extremely effective lefthander, but he’s very far from it. He may be one of those who benefits from pitching exclusively out of the stretch, for example, and has the velocity and stuff to handle that change. However, efforts like those are generally considered of the last ditch variety at Labourt’s level, and it remains to be seen what path the Tigers set for him in 2017. While the ceiling is nice enough to be patient with, the overwhelming likelihood remains that Labourt never quite figures it out.</p>
<h4 id="H86n6s">Jacob’s Scouting Report:</h4>
<p id="5WqJaf">Fastball: 60<br>Slider: 50<br>Changeup: 40<br>Control/Command: 40</p>
<h4 id="bsKP65">Projected 2017 team: High-A Lakeland Flying Tigers</h4>
<p id="i8G0NT">A Flying Tiger in 2016, Labourt pitched to very little success. There is little doubt that he will repeat the level, especially since the jump from High-A to Double-A is infamously daunting. The question is whether the Tigers will attempt to return him to the rotation, or commit to Labourt as relief prospect. The hope is that he will use the repeat in level as an opportunity to sharpen his delivery and command in order to facilitate future success at a higher level.</p>
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<p id="Dmqxx4">.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/3/2/14321882/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-jairo-labourt-scouting-reportBrandon Day2017-02-28T09:00:04-05:002017-02-28T09:00:04-05:00BYB Prospect #23: Jacob Robson
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<figcaption>Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Nicknamed “The Maple Hammer,” the Windsor native is a prototypical leadoff hitter in the making.</p> <p id="1W3rln">Allow me to introduce you to my favorite <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> prospect. Outfielder Jacob Robson isn’t the best prospect in the organization. He isn’t the biggest or the fastest — <em>TigsTown</em> does consider him <a href="http://www.scout.com/mlb/tigers/story/1756665-2017-tigstools-best-speed">one of the fastest in the system</a>, though — and he won’t wow you with his home run power. He also has too many legitimate tools to be considered a scrappy underdog. He checks the “Can this dude play center field?” box that is near and dear to my heart, but that is not why he is my new favorite prospect.</p>
<p id="JF7C8Z">No, it’s much better than that. According to multiple outlets, Robson’s nickname is <a href="http://maroonandwhitenation.com/2015/03/02/jacob-robson-maple-hammer/">“The Maple Hammer.”</a> I’ll allow that to sink in for a moment.</p>
<p id="PoBA7Y">A native of Windsor, Ontario, Robson was drafted by the Tigers in the eighth round of the 2016 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb-draft">MLB draft</a>. The Mississippi State product hit .294/.399/.395 in 209 plate appearances across two levels of short-season ball last season, topping out at Connecticut. He put his excellent speed on display as well, stealing 15 bases in 21 attempts.</p>
<h4 id="8kYUdu">Strengths</h4>
<p id="RFOgBR">Robson’s carrying tool is his plus speed, which he puts to good use both in the field and on the basepaths. Defensively, Robson is fast enough to play center field at the major league level. The few scouting reports available don’t have much to say about his defensive instincts, which is often a good sign for a young player (no news is good news, in this case). Offensively, Robson’s speed from the left side should help him leg out a few more base hits than the average player. He is also a threat on the basepaths; he stole 15 bags in 21 attempts in his pro debut, and added another 46 steals in 56 tries while in college.</p>
<p id="KwgrSp">Robson might have the bat to stick at the major league level as well. <a href="https://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/2016-draft-list-players/2016/1/29/jacob-robson-1">The Canadian Baseball Network</a> had good things to say about his swing and approach at the plate.</p>
<blockquote><p id="vNXL1j">Robson employs a compact left-handed stroke at the plate, usually focusing on hitting line drives and ground balls and using the entire field. He doesn’t have much power but sometimes gets himself in trouble by trying to pull and drive the ball. He has an eye for drawing walks, adding to his profile as a top-of-the-order catalyst.</p></blockquote>
<p id="8XhlY1">The numbers back this up as well. Robson drew 31 walks in 209 plate appearances at the pro level last season, and managed a .414 on-base percentage at Mississippi State last season. In 184 at-bats, Robson walked (30) almost as many times as he struck out (37). His strikeout rate rose a bit in his pro debut, but he seems to have the contact-oriented profile of a prototypical leadoff hitter.</p>
<p id="wkzHsQ">All of this adds up to a player with a relatively high floor. Robson has already proven his worth in both the SEC and the Cape Cod League, so he should not have much issue with the competition in the lower minors. He may not ever develop into a major league starter, but he isn’t far away from being a serviceable fourth outfielder.</p>
<h4 id="GvNf21">Weaknesses</h4>
<p id="dlAJzK">A contact-heavy profile can be useful for a player of Robson’s talents and build — he stands 5’10 and weighs 175 pounds — but he needs to orient his approach to maximize those skills. The same scouting report listed above mentions Robson’s tendency to get a little pull-happy, which he showed in his pro debut.</p>
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<cite>MLB Farm / Daren Willman</cite>
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<p id="hRcMtw">As the above chart shows, Robson had a tendency to roll over on pitches and ground them to the right side of the infield. If he doesn’t iron this out, more advanced pitchers might start to take advantage of him with off-speed pitches until he adjusts. If the Tigers’ minor league coaches can help Robson start to go the other way more often, he could develop into a true on-base machine.</p>
<p id="jgboUI">We could ding Robson for a lack of raw power, but not everyone is built like Steven Moya. Robson may develop a little gap power as he progresses through the minors, but he will never be a home run hitter. He managed just two dingers in his entire career at Mississippi State, but had six doubles and four triples in his final season for the Bulldogs.</p>
<h4 id="qv4NLW">Projected team: West Michigan Whitecaps</h4>
<p id="PFmU2Z">While it would not surprise me if the Tigers promoted Robson aggressively after his impressive debut last season, a stop at Single-A West Michigan seems the more likely outcome for him in his first full pro season. The Tigers have been more patient with their prospects under new general manager Al Avila, even waiting longer than most expected to promote the hot-hitting Christin Stewart last summer. Don’t be surprised if we are calling for a promotion in a couple months, though; good college bats tend to have their way with inconsistent young pitchers in the lower minors.</p>
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<p id="iOhWAW"><em>(Video c/o Eric Longenhagen)</em></p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/2/28/14758002/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-jacob-robson-scouting-reportRob Rogacki2017-02-27T09:00:03-05:002017-02-27T09:00:03-05:00BYB Prospect #22: RHP Adam Ravenelle
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<img alt="Minor League Baseball: Arizona Fall League-Scottsdale Scorpions at Salt River Rafters" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OGyH_s7ENgLksIyZjwmSyc3NXOI=/0x0:4598x3065/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53435585/usa_today_9651471.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers seem to be enamored with Ravenelle, another Vanderbilt product in their farm system.</p> <p id="XreNyW">One of the more puzzling developments in the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a>’ farm system this offseason is the sudden rising stock of right-handed pitcher Adam Ravenelle. Blessed with a high-90s fastball and sharp slider, Ravenelle’s future potential deserves a certain amount of attention. He earned a bit of attention for a strong performance in Advanced-A Lakeland — he struck out 34 hitters in 28 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings while allowing a 2.86 ERA — but struggled against higher competition, including a 4.85 ERA at Double-A Erie and seven walks in 9 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings at the Arizona Fall League.</p>
<p id="jomuKT">However, after a moderately impressive 2016 season, he has shot up the team’s prospect rankings. <em>Baseball America</em> ranked him as <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2017-detroit-tigers-top-10-prospects/#KqJMg4xd3Ur8vDP3.97">the No. 8 prospect in the Tigers’ system</a>, while <em>Baseball Prospectus</em> <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=31090">slotted him in at No. 10</a>. <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-19-prospects-detroit-tigers/">FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen</a> and <a href="http://www.scout.com/mlb/tigers/story/1738145-2017-tigstown-top-50-20-11">TigsTown’s Mark Anderson</a> aren’t far behind, at No. 12. We are lower on Ravenelle than most, but <a href="http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2016?list=det">MLB Pipeline is also relatively bearish</a>, at No. 20 in the system.</p>
<h4 id="is4xf7">Strengths</h4>
<p id="kHexdv">The biggest reason why Ravenelle is drawing so much attention is his fastball. It sits anywhere from 94-98 miles per hour and has touched 100 mph. Unlike some high-octane fastballs, Ravenelle’s also features some late life that can be tough to square up. Opponents managed just 17 hits in his 28 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings at Advanced-A Lakeland last season, and were still only managing a hit per inning once he arrived in Double-A. Nearly everyone has at least a plus grade on it, with <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-19-prospects-detroit-tigers/">FanGraphs leading the way</a> at a 70 (double-plus) grade.</p>
<p id="o27YNu">Ravenelle’s breaking ball is also a potential plus pitch. Evaluators have called it both a slider and a cutter; all we know is that it sits anywhere from 87-91 miles per hour “with sharp break and impressive cut/tilt action,” <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=31090">per Baseball Prospectus</a>. Former BP prospect author Christopher Crawford was also complementary of Ravenelle’s slider/cutter <a href="https://twitter.com/Crawford_MILB/status/806934557345738752">in his prospect guide</a>, saying “His slider is a cut-like pitch, and its ability to get into the hands of left-handed hitters make it an above-average offering.”</p>
<h4 id="Jym97Y">Weaknesses</h4>
<p id="yAbzE8">Based on stuff alone, there doesn’t seem to be much difference between Ravenelle and top prospect Joe Jimenez. Both righthanders feature monster high-90s fastballs and wipeout secondary pitches. The difference? Jimenez has commanded both pitches at an acceptable level, limiting walks and gobbling up strikeouts left and right. Ravenelle’s command isn’t anywhere close at present, resulting in gaudy walk rates. Opponents walked at a 14.2 percent clip at High-A Lakeland last year, and at a 12.1 percent rate in Double-A. He doesn’t project to even have average command at his peak, and he seems to be a ways away from that lackluster ceiling right now.</p>
<p id="1hGjgR">Ravenelle deploys a funky delivery that can be tough for right-handed hitters to pick up. They managed a paltry .287 on-base percentage against him last season, and will have a tough time handling his fastball-cutter combination going forward. The problem? Lefties reached base at a .398 clip. <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-19-prospects-detroit-tigers/">FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen</a> dove into why Ravenelle may continue to struggle against opposite-handed hitters.</p>
<blockquote><p id="GCr2ZJ">But lefties see the ball very well against him and have an easier time tracking the fastball, which can lack plane, and sending it airborne. He also has 30-grade command which stems from an inability to repeat. The 70 fastball/60 potential slider combination looks like a potential back-end profile on paper but there are forces at work that complicate that projection. There’s a good chance Ravenelle’s platoon issues limit his role and big-league value.</p></blockquote>
<p id="vBUwEI">Ravenelle has also missed valuable developmental time with injuries. He suffered a finger tendon tear soon after being drafted in 2014, and has dealt with blister issues throughout his career as well. The tendon issue may not be predictive of future injuries, but blisters often are; if Ravenelle can’t stay healthy, he may not reach his lofty ceiling.</p>
<h4 id="LOG9bf">Jacob’s Scouting Report:</h4>
<p id="lvJIR1">Fastball: 70<br>Cutter: 55<br>Control/Command: 40</p>
<h4 id="UsDlx2">Projected team: Erie SeaWolves</h4>
<p id="hJrWZP">Ravenelle struggled in his time at Double-A Erie last year, and will likely get a second chance to conquer the Eastern League at the start of 2017. The Tigers have plenty of pitchers already toiling around the bullpen in Triple-A Toledo, but few will stand in Ravenelle’s way when he is ready to move up. He needs to limit the walks before getting a serious look for major league innings, but has the raw stuff to handle big league hitters once he arrives.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/2/27/14746362/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-adam-ravenelle-scouting-reportRob Rogacki2017-02-26T10:00:41-05:002017-02-26T10:00:41-05:00BYB Prospect #21: Jack O’Loughlin
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<figcaption>Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>O’Loughlin is a long way from the majors, but is already making waves as a teenager.</p> <p id="4s977B">For a little more than a decade now, the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> have been very closed-fisted when it comes to the international free agent market. While Detroit’s front office has no fear of doling out major contracts to proven MLB players — see: Fielder, Prince and Upton, Justin — spending big money on premium foreign talent has never been their cup of tea.</p>
<p id="60UloV">Over the past few years, however, they have made a few sneaky, under-the-radar signings that have turned out for the better. The foremost example of this was a young player who was shipped out in the <span>David Price</span> trade and now is a headliner of a strong <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> farm: a shortstop by the name of Wily Adames. Adames, now rated by <a href="http://MLB.com">MLB.com</a> as the game’s 21st overall prospect, was signed in 2012 for $420,000, merely a whiff of what the top international prospects get.</p>
<p id="rMIASd">Another good example would be that of Jose Azocar, the speedy Venezuelan centerfielder. Rated on our list as the 7th best prospect in the system, Azocar was also a product of Detroit’s international activity in 2012. Recent Australian signee Jack O’Laughlin may be added to the short but ever growing list.</p>
<h4 id="UXRw8X">Strengths</h4>
<p id="9F8ofG">The first thing to know about O’Loughlin is how incredibly young he is: just 16 years old! This makes his performance in the Australian Baseball League (ABL) even more impressive, O’Loughlin is not only the youngest current ABL player, he is the youngest ABL starter to ever get a win.</p>
<p id="apGft1">He throws his pitches with a simple, one-piece delivery using a three-quarters arm slot. This kind of fluid motion is something that will benefit him long term, because it reduces the risk of elbow and shoulder injuries or the need for Tommy John surgery. </p>
<p id="RqTXT5">His fastball tops out at 90 to 91 miles per hour, but that isn’t as much of a concern as it might be in other players because O’Laughlin is both 16 years old and left-handed. He will probably add velocity as he develops physically.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Source: Projecting <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tigers?src=hash">#Tigers</a> Jack O'Loughlin to add 4-5 MPH to FB velo as he matures. FB command awareness already beyond his years. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MiLB?src=hash">#MiLB</a></p>— Emily Waldon (@emilywaldon2080) <a href="https://twitter.com/emilywaldon2080/status/834974043753283585">February 24, 2017</a>
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<p id="WiA1i9">His curveball is already better than those of his peers and O’Loughlin could, with more reps, craft it into a true weapon. Multiple sources cite him having an advanced feel for the offering, which puts him a leg up and will make his development go a little bit faster. It may not have the vicious 12-6 bite that one would hope for, but it is still a good pitch. </p>
<h4 id="Y09dNx">Weaknesses</h4>
<p id="2aBp7y">While O’Laughlin is doing better than anyone might expect thus far — his 3-3 record and 3.02 ERA in 41 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings — there are a few slight concerns. Namely, he doesn’t strike out many opposing batters. He punched out a mere 12.57 percent of batters in ABL action, or just 4.75 per nine innings.</p>
<p id="VOVx3W">His get praise for having advanced feel for his curve, but it does have issues. In video of his starts, he seemed to struggle spotting it. If he is to make his curve into an out pitch, he will need to develop better control and command of the offering. While that may come with reps, there is also a chance that his pitch with the most potential could be made completely moot.</p>
<p id="IKYhWC">O’Loughlin is also eons away from the majors. If he were an American, he would not even be draft eligible out of high school for another year and change. The chances of him washing out are very, very high. He won’t even be coming to the U.S. until the 2018 season, and will start in extended spring training and the lowest levels of the minors. Fortunately for Detroit fans, that also means he has plenty of time to improve. As he gets some professional coaching and he develops more physically, his velocity and command will improve, and the strikeouts will come.</p>
<p id="XdYUyP"><strong>J</strong><strong>acob’s</strong><strong> Scouting Report:</strong></p>
<p id="LzJLHP">Fastball: 60<br>Curveball: 55<br>Split-Change: 50<br>Control/Command: 50</p>
<p id="zS2Oa6"><em>Note: This scouting report may have far more variance from others on the internet than most published on Bless You Boys. The availability of information on O’Loughlin is low and this scouting report is the product of my research.</em></p>
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https://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/2/26/14246316/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-jack-oloughlin-scouting-reportJacob Markle2017-02-25T10:00:01-05:002017-02-25T10:00:01-05:00BYB Prospect #20: Myles Jaye
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<p>He’s not flashy, but decent command and four pitches make Jaye a useful spot starter.</p> <p id="9uHNeJ"><span>Myles Jaye</span> came to the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> last spring in a deal that sent catcher Bryan Holaday to Texas. In just about every way, Jaye is a prototypical right-handed spot-start candidate. With decent command and a broad, though not deep, set of pitches, <span>Jaye</span> is as effective as that command allows him to be. He won’t survive in the majors on his stuff alone. With very little projection left, he is barely a prospect at this point, but he is also likely to be called on to back up the Tigers’ rotation in 2017.</p>
<p id="6ocEVs">There remains a bit of optimism about Jaye. At age 24, he made real strides in his ability to miss bats while retaining his good walk rates. His 3.59 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 21 starts at Double-A Erie was a career-best. While his potential is all but maxed out, even a slight improvement in the consistency of his secondary pitches could make him a viable fifth starter at the major league level. More likely, however, he will max out as a middle relief or sixth starter type.</p>
<h4 id="S5oL9e">Strengths</h4>
<p id="gqTWDV">Jaye’s best attribute is the command he shows over a solid fastball/slider pairing. He sits in the low-90s with his two-seam fastball, showing some touch for changing his speeds low in the zone with it. The pitch has average life, so his ability to throw strikes without leaving pitches near the center of the strike zone is going to be sorely tested at the major league level. So far, consistent great command has been elusive for Jaye, and without it, it’s hard to project much of a career in the major league level. But it is good enough to avoid any issues with walks.</p>
<p id="9mN1Cq"><a href="http://www.minorleagueball.com/2017/1/18/14315262/detroit-tigers-top-20-prospects-for-2017">John Sickels of Minor League Ball</a> ranked Jaye 12th among Tigers prospects this year, while sounding some hints of optimism about his viability in the major leagues.</p>
<blockquote><p id="cLrzgg">[Jaye has] average stuff across the board with 90-93 MPH fastball, viable slider and change-up, good command and control; typical right-hander with adequate but not excellent fastball that doesn’t excite scouts but who could sneak up on us due to his command. ETA late 2017. </p></blockquote>
<p id="6FhsZF">A few final notes in Jaye’s favor come on the basis of his minor league numbers. Jaye doesn’t give up too many home runs. For a guy who leans on his two-seamer, that is a necessary thing to note. Secondly, Jaye’s strikeout rate jumped substantially this past season by over a strikeout per nine innings at the Double-A level. While those gains weakened a little with the Mud Hens, they were still present, with a solid 2.58 strikeout-to-walk ratio. That’s a good enough foundation for a ground ball pitcher if he can continue to keep the ball in the park in the major leagues.</p>
<p id="edRIRw"><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-19-prospects-detroit-tigers/">Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs</a> sees Jaye’s potential as a backend starter if he can make gains in his consistency.</p>
<blockquote><p id="tNo6ZD">Jaye is a nearly-there righty with average fastball/slider combination and great pitch utility. He also has a fringe change and curveball. The stuff plays when Jaye is commanding his repertoire but reports on the control are inconsistent.</p></blockquote>
<h4 id="M8fz9P">Weaknesses</h4>
<p id="tFHzxd">While Jaye’s strikeouts improved, he still doesn’t have the stuff to fool hitters at the major league level. Some evaluators graded his slider as a 50, or MLB average, offering, but not everyone agreed. His slider and changeup may have progressed a bit this season, but <a href="http://www.scout.com/mlb/tigers/story/1738145-2017-tigstown-top-50-20-11">TigsTown’s Mark Anderson</a> still considers both to be fringe-average at best offerings.</p>
<blockquote><p id="BT7EMK">Jaye’s slider and changeup can work in spurts, but are designed more to keep hitters off balance than miss bats.</p></blockquote>
<p id="4yFcZb">As a fine prospect evaluation site devoted solely to the Tigers, we’ll give TigsTown the last word on Jaye’s secondaries. Particularly for a guy with little to no development or mechanical adjustments left to make, consistency is probably the key word with Jaye. It may be that guys who saw Jaye semi-regularly have the best bead on the consistency and value of his secondary pitches. Without a single plus offering between his slider, curve and changeup, Jaye is going to have to exhibit strong command of at least two of them to pitch in the majors.</p>
<p id="qCpRaH">The other issue to note with Jaye revolves around his 2016 BABIP results. For a ground ball pitcher especially, the vagaries of minor league defenders can wreak a little extra havoc with a pitcher’s WHIP and ERA. Jaye hasn’t experienced those issues, as his .248 BABIP in seven Triple-A starts helped buoy a 3.69 ERA. There is little chance that pitching in front of the Tigers’ middle infield is going be of any help to him.</p>
<h4 id="4o2iyH">Projected 2017 team: Toledo Mud Hens</h4>
<p id="Jo5urD">As the eighth or ninth starter on the Tigers food chain (depending on how you feel about <span>Buck Farmer)</span> Jaye will start the season in Toledo. His role with the big club will be defined by the viability of <span>Anibal Sanchez</span> and Mike Pelfrey. If one of them is moved, Jaye will be close to assured of getting his first time in the major leagues in 2017. His advanced command may well favor him as the more likely pitcher to be ready for a call-up, while the streakier Farmer will probably have to be hot at the moment, despite better stuff, to be ready on short notice.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/2/25/14343544/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-myles-jaye-scouting-reportBrandon Day2017-02-24T09:00:03-05:002017-02-24T09:00:03-05:00BYB Prospect #19: Drew Smith
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<p>A high-octane righthander with command issues, Smith is a prototypical Tigers pitching prospect.</p> <p id="FQhmz9">Several times over throughout this prospect countdown, we have mentioned the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a>’ predilection for pitching prospects with high-octane stuff. Even outsiders recognize that the Tigers have never met a 95 mile-per-hour fastball they didn’t like. Unfortunately, this preference has not produced much value over the past several years. The Tigers have constantly had to look outside the organization for relief help. Sometimes, that results in a <span>Joaquin Benoit</span>! Sometimes, you end up with <span>Mark Lowe</span>.</p>
<p id="TofhOw">Fortunately, help may be on the way. Joe Jimenez has <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/2/5/14191554/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-joe-jimenez-scouting-report">drawn all sorts of hype already</a> this spring, and <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/2/23/14396552/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-mark-ecker-scouting-report">we gave Texas A&M product Mark Ecker some love</a> on Thursday. Current starters like <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/2/8/14378046/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-kyle-funkhouser-scouting-report">Kyle Funkhouser</a> and <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/2/10/14325658/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-spencer-turnbull-scouting-report">Spencer Turnbull</a> may also end up in the ‘pen.</p>
<p id="uJSSVN">Another potential option down the road could be righthander Drew Smith. A former third round pick out of Dallas Baptist University, Smith has a big fastball that helped him strike out 62 batters in 48 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings at Single-A West Michigan in 2016. He managed a solid 2.96 ERA and limited opponents to 6.3 hits per nine innings. Through 79 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> career minor league innings, Smith has 100 strikeouts.</p>
<h4 id="hJ9Yca">Strengths</h4>
<p id="JdWs59">As one might expect, Smith’s best pitch is a mid-90s four-seam fastball. <a href="http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2016?list=det">According to MLB.com</a>, it sits anywhere from 92-95 miles per hour, but can get into the upper 90s at times. Scouts noted that Smith’s fastball was a little flat at times during his days at Dallas Baptist, but it appears to be improving with professional instruction. He had trouble controlling it at times in 2016, but was in complete command the season before; in 31 innings, Smith struck out 38 batters to just five walks across three levels.</p>
<p id="yq53DO">Smith also features a hard curveball that has also improved since his college days. <a href="http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2016?list=det">MLB.com notes</a> that Smith has thrown his curveball a lot more over the past couple years, while scouting reports from several different publications note that the breaking ball has improved since this time last year. No one has had the gall to give Smith’s curveball a plus grade yet, but <a href="http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2016?list=det">MLB Pipeline</a> projects it as an above-average pitch.</p>
<p id="CPGF4q">Perhaps most encouraging of all is how Smith has progressed as a player since being drafted. <a href="https://baseballdraftreport.com/tag/drew-smith/">Baseball Draft Report</a> was quite down on Smith when the Tigers selected him in the third round.</p>
<blockquote><p id="wjeySo">...seeing Smith throw is a really confusing experience. He has explosive stuff — 90-96 FB, 98-99 peak; average or better mid-70s CB; enough of a low-80s changeup that you can start imagining a future beyond the bullpen — and livable control, but rarely did college hitters appear fooled by what he threw up there. There’s enough noise with straight run prevention in small samples with unreliable defenses and scoring decisions and playing conditions and you get the point, but Smith’s two full seasons at Dallas Baptist resulted in ERAs of 5.79 and 4.39. That alone doesn’t bug me much, but a guy with his kind of stuff only striking out 7ish batters per nine is just hard to explain.</p></blockquote>
<p id="laSPjB">They did call Smith a potential “relief ace” in the next sentence, but there is still a difference between that report and the one <a href="http://www.scout.com/mlb/tigers/story/1738145-2017-tigstown-top-50-20-11">TigsTown’s Mark Anderson</a> filed this spring.</p>
<blockquote><p id="uue4l9">Working with a fastball that routinely sits in the mid-90s and will reach as high as 98 mph at his best, Smith can blow hitters away when he’s in and around the strike zone; something that is consistently a challenge for him. When he’s throwing strike, Smith’s curveball can be a solid second weapon.</p></blockquote>
<p id="GFThYU">Smith still needs some fine-tuning — more on that in a moment — but he has made solid progress thus far.</p>
<h4 id="HNTxuC">Weaknesses</h4>
<p id="aXcJ01">Even though Smith started out his professional career in impressive fashion, his command is still a work in progress. He walked 23 batters in 48 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings last season, a rate of over four per nine innings. Smith was still able to manage a 2.70 strikeout-to-walk ratio, but the team would probably like to see him push that closer to (if not north of) 4.00. <a href="http://MLB.com">MLB.com</a> grades his command as below-average, while <a href="http://www.scout.com/mlb/tigers/story/1738145-2017-tigstown-top-50-20-11">TigsTown’s Mark Anderson</a> notes that Smith “is unlikely to make much progress” in harnessing his command due to the effort in his pitching delivery.</p>
<p id="1HOYQ2">There are also questions about how nasty Smith’s stuff really is. He throws plenty hard, but <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-19-prospects-detroit-tigers/">FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen</a> reports that Smith’s fastball “lacks horizontal movement.” Pitchers can get by on velocity alone at the lower levels, and this may be what helped Smith amass such solid numbers last season. <a href="http://MLB.com">MLB.com</a> picked up on the same flatness to his fastball, saying “A lack of movement led to him getting hit in college...” The next two levels should give us a good look at how Smith’s fastball will play against more advanced competition.</p>
<p id="2O6GFN">There is also some disagreement on how good Smith’s curveball is. <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-19-prospects-detroit-tigers/">FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen</a> called it merely average, saying:</p>
<blockquote><p id="Hz4DeA">“Smith mixes in an average, looping curveball which he sometimes doesn’t get on top of. It often has solid depth but lacks bite and if more effective underneath the strike zone than in it.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="w8Kbec">Mark Anderson <a href="http://www.scout.com/mlb/tigers/story/1738145-2017-tigstown-top-50-20-11">echoed a similar sentiment</a>, saying that Smith’s curveball is reliant on him throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count (i.e. giving him a chance to bury the curveball in the dirt and get hitters to chase).</p>
<h4 id="oS2fsJ">Jacob’s Scouting Report:</h4>
<p id="EWc1rE">Fastball: 60<br>Curve: 55<br>Control: 45</p>
<h4 id="oGvVQW">Projected Team: Lakeland Flying Tigers</h4>
<p id="THDfL2">Like other Tigers relief prospects before him, Smith is an advanced college arm who could move quickly through the farm system. He spent all of 2016 at Single-A West Michigan after elbow trouble ended his 2015 season, but should have the kid gloves off in 2017. He will most likely start the season in Lakeland, but should move quickly if he produces. This isn’t a make-or-break year for him by any means, but it will tell us a lot about his overall ceiling. If things go well and he hones his command some, he could be in line for a call-up at some point in 2018.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/2/24/14722336/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-drew-smith-scouting-reportRob Rogacki2017-02-23T09:00:02-05:002017-02-23T09:00:02-05:00BYB Prospect #18: Mark Ecker
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<p>Eckert is a polished reliever that could move fast through the Tigers’ system.</p> <p id="4t4dID">The <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> <em>love</em> drafting hard throwing college pitchers. Its like an obsessive habit they just can’t quit. In the fifth round of the 2016 amateur draft, the Tigers selected junior righthander Mark Ecker from Texas A&M, where he served as closer in a dynamic Aggies bullpen. The long and painful tale of failed relievers drafted by the Tigers may cause one to overlook him as another potential wasted pick. However, there is intriguing upside here that could lead to him pitching in the big leagues before long.</p>
<p id="gEHCea">In his junior season at Texas A&M, he put up a scant 0.41 ERA while striking out 52 and walking just four hitters in 44 innings of work. His pro debut saw him continue this trend, as he worked as the closer for both between Short-Season Connecticut and Single-A West Michigan. In 27 innings, Ecker posted a 0.98 ERA, 31 strikeouts, and five walks, leading to a 0.76 WHIP. </p>
<h4 id="tEpeMH">Strengths</h4>
<p id="cQiCri">Ecker features a plus fastball that sits at 93-96 miles per hour and gets up to 98 mph with good control. He also has an above-average changeup in the mid-80s with some splitter-like action to it. He throws two kinds of sliders but neither is better than average. He commands all of his pitches well, as evidenced by his consistently low walk rates. There has been talk among some scouts as to whether he would be tried out as a starter with his diverse pitch arsenal or kept in the bullpen. <a href="http://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2016/06/18/detroit-tigers-draft-picks/86096414/">Scott Plies</a>, the Tigers’ director of amateur scouting, clears this up.</p>
<blockquote><p id="NvPd42">“He’s got a plus-plus fastball and plus-plus change. He’s going to be a reliever, but that’s OK. There was some talk about starting him out as a starter. We got a good arm here.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="lei5Pm">While plus-plus may be a little generous for his change — MLB.com grades it at a 55, merely above-average — the reasoning behind the pick is evident. His off-speed stuff backs up his fastball better than with most pitching prospects, especially flame-throwing relievers available in the fifth round.</p>
<p id="C1ObZu">Ecker’s solid command combined with a big-time fastball is something of a rarity, actually. <a href="https://baseballdraftreport.com/tag/mark-ecker/">Rob Ozga from The Baseball Draft Report</a> compiled a list of just 11 players in the past decade fit into this model.</p>
<blockquote><p id="7LgUSi">Finding a comparable reliever to Ecker is surprisingly difficult. I’m using arbitrary standards here — more than 8.00 K/9, less than 2.00 BB/9, average fastball velocity 93+ MPH — and the pool of qualified relievers this decade comes out to just eleven possibilities. Of that eleven, none give me the kind of stuff close enough to Ecker to convince me to throw that comp on him. <span>Liam Hendriks</span>, <span>Sean Doolittle</span>, <span>Rafael Betancourt</span>, Robert Osuna, <span>Junichi Tazawa</span>, <span>Mark Melancon</span>, <span>Tony Watson</span>...<span>Kelvin Herrera</span> is a little too small and probably throws too many breaking balls, but he’s a decent facsimile for Ecker’s stuff/control combination otherwise...though I’d be remiss to not at least mention <span>Ryan Madson</span>, my go-to fastball/changeup/control comp in these situations. Some combination of Herrera, Madson, and Melancon would be one heck of a reliever. </p></blockquote>
<p id="pePSFu">Yes, Rob, yes it would. And it would be a reliever that the Tigers have been searching for throughout many years in the draft.</p>
<h4 id="oqIZ5t">Weaknesses</h4>
<p id="wk1jM4">For all of Ecker’s potential upside, the knock on him is that he is pretty much as physically developed as he’s going to get. At just 6’0 and 180 pounds, he can’t rely on the same downward plane for deception on his pitches that taller pitchers come by naturally. Ecker’s ability to get through more advanced hitters at the upper levels will come down to how well he is able to keep them from squaring up his pitches. </p>
<p id="JKlgeS">Ecker might be able to polish up his offerings a bit more and refine his command some, but he has largely reached his ceiling developmentally. He will need to learn the art to attacking more and more advanced hitting from his coaches <em>[Ed.: One might call that the “art of pitching”]</em>. It is very difficult to project how well a prospect will be able to do this over time.</p>
<h4 id="o63hOY">Jacob’s Scouting Report:</h4>
<p id="0zYFmb">Fastball: 65<br>Changeup: 55<br>Slider: 50<br>Control: 55</p>
<h4 id="9TgSX6">Projected 2017 team: Lakeland Flying Tigers</h4>
<p id="it7yJe">Ecker has the stuff to be a potential closer in the majors if everything comes together and he can figure out how to maintain a high strikeout rate as he moves through the minors. He is advanced enough that he will probably start the year at Advanced-A Lakeland. He will move aggressively if he can continue compiling good results. I’m not sure he could make the jump to the majors this year — a lot would have to go right on his end, and wrong on the Tigers; end — but college relievers worth their salt can shoot up the minor league ladder. Even if Ecker struggles as he moves up, he has enough raw stuff to reach the cusp of the majors at some point in the near future. He offers genuinely exciting upside in a system that has long failed to produce quality relief pitching.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2017/2/23/14396552/detroit-tigers-prospect-rankings-mark-ecker-scouting-reportPeter Kwasniak