Detroit Tigers MiLB Prospects

www.minorleagueball.com/2017/10/24/16485986/top-20-prospects-lists-mlb-2018-index-by-organization

1) Willy Adames, SS, Grade B+/A-: Age 22, from the Dominican Republic, originally in Detroit Tigers system until 2014 David Price trade, hit .277/.360/.415 with 10 homers, 30 doubles, 11 steals, 65 walks, 132 strikeouts in 506 at-bats in Triple-A; the negative: K-rate is higher than ideal; the positives: he has more power than most shortstops and has the bat speed to keep that going in the majors, draws walks, can swipe a base, earns consistent praise for both his makeup and his shortstop defense; don’t expect him to hit .300 right now but he’ll do a whole bunch of other stuff; may bump up to A- when all teams are analyzed; ETA 2018.

2) Evan White, 1B, Grade B: Age 21, first round pick in 2017 from University of Kentucky; hit .277/.345/.532 in Northwest League over 47 at-bats, small sample but successful; outstanding defensive first baseman who can also play the outfield; Gold Glove ability at first if he hits enough to play regularly; projected as high-batting-average/OBP hitter with moderate power by most observers, although in the NWL he showed more isolated power (and a lower average) than expected, again the sample is small; will likely make short work of A-ball, watch his power production when he hits the high minors. ETA late 2019.

5) David Paulino, RHP, Grade B: Age 23; lost most of the season due to elbow problems and PED suspension; posted 4.50 ERA in 14 innings in Triple-A, 13/9 K/BB; 6.52 ERA in six major league starts, 34/7 K/BB in 29 innings before suspension; still has one of the highest ceilings in the system, fastball can hit 98 and secondary pitches (curve, change) have improved, usually throws strikes; questions about durability and role remain in play. ETA 2018.

7) Rogelio Armenteros, RHP, Grade B: Age 23, signed out of Cuba in 2014; posted 2.04 ERA in 124 innings between Double-A and Triple-A with 146/38 K/BB, 91 hits combined; usually not rated this highly on other lists but I think he is under-estimated by many since he doesn’t throw a zillion MPH; fastball in low-90s this year but plays up due to excellent change-up, two different breaking balls, sharp control; looks like he has a strong, durable physical build; he’s a pitcher. ETA 2018.

7) Sean Reid-Foley, RHP, Grade B: Age 22, second round pick in 2014 from high school in Jacksonville, Florida; problematic season in Double-A, 5.09 ERA in 133 innings with 122/53 K/BB, 145 hits; command slipped compared to A-ball performance in ’16, also saw some velocity decline, more commonly in low-90s rather than mid-90s from ’16; some indication that secondaries (slider, curve, change) regressed as well although strikeout rate remained decent; much more of a fly ball pitcher in ’17 compared to ’16, large spike in home run rate; no report of injury and he didn’t miss any starts; a puzzle; he rated a B+ entering 2017 but a downgrade is needed, how much I’m not sure but we’ll go down a notch to plain B for now, watch spring reports closely; ETA 2019.

8) Will Benson, OF, Grade B-: Age 19, first round pick in 2016 from high school in Georgia, hit .238/.347/.475 with 10 homers, 31 walks, 80 strikeouts in 202 at-bats in New York-Penn League; explosive raw power and bat speed from the left side, draws walks too but strikeout rate was very high and could be an issue at higher levels; runs well too and is 17-for-20 in stolen base attempts in his career so far; strong arm works in right field and could fit prototype for position. ETA 2021.

9) Gregory Soto, LHP, Grade B-: Age 23, signed out of Dominican Republic in 2012; breakout season with 2.25 ERA, 144/65 K/BB in 124 innings in Low-A/High-A, only 97 hits allowed; negative here is walk rate; positives are strikeouts and hit profile; scouts well with low-90s power sinker, solid curveball and adequate but erratic change-up; heat comes easy but still a bit more thrower than pitcher; high ceiling; look for any reduction in walk rate for signs of another leap forward; ETA 2020.

8) Domingo Leyba, INF, Grade B-: Age 22, missed most of 2017 with shoulder injury; hit .276/.344/.448 in 58 at-bats in Double-A; hit .301/.374/.436 at same level in 2016; line drive hitter has shown better feel for the strike zone when healthy over last two seasons while showing more power as well; not a bad shortstop, better at second base; easy to overlook due to injury season but still quite young. ETA late 2018.

11) Sam McMillan, C, Grade B-: Age 19, fifth round pick in 2017 from high school in Live Oak, Florida; would have gone at least three rounds higher if not for University of Florida scholarship but Tigers got him signed; promising debut with .288/.441/.432 line in rookie ball, 19 walks, 17 strikeouts in 111 at-bats; superb strike zone judgment and may show more power in time; very polished defender, threw out 33% in first pro exposure with low error and passed ball rates plus glowing scouting reports; high school catchers are a risky demographic but McMillan has everything to look for except huge power; ETA 2022.

12) Michael Gerber, OF, Grade B-/C+: Age 25, 15th round pick in 2014 from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska; hit .304/.373/.496 between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A, combined 14 homers, 10 steals, 42 walks, 98 strikeouts in 385 at-bats; average to below-average physical tools but maximizes everything with instincts and high effort play; average power but good strike zone sense and has hit everywhere; polish shows on defense where he outplays his organic tools and can handle center field; ETA 2018.

16) Sandy Baez, RHP, Grade C+: Age 24, signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2011; combined for 3.92 ERA between High-A and Double-A with 105/29 K/BB in 99 innings; projects as long relief/spot starter type with 93-95 MPH fastball, above-average splitter and erratic slider; on days when his command is working he can power through a lineup; K-rate has been moving upwards, a sign of improving secondaries; ETA late 2018.

16) Calvin Mitchell, OF, Grade C+: Age 18, second round pick in 2017 from high school in California, hit .245/.351/.352 in rookie ball with 24 walks, 35 strikeouts in 159 at-bats; very good strike zone judgment and above-average raw power from the left side, though he hasn’t learned to tap it just yet; lack of speed and arm strength limit him to left field and put pressure on the bat but he has a chance to hit enough that it won’t matter; ETA 2022.

15) Cory Abbott, RHP, Grade C+: Age 22, second round pick in 2017 from Loyola Marymount; spectacular spring with 1.74 ERA in 98 innings, 130/28 K/BB, just 61 hits; pitched 14 pro innings in the Northwest League with 18/3 K/BB, 3.86 ERA; advanced pitchability with low-90s fastball, curve, change-up, cutter; the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts; potential number four starter on paper but these guys can surprise you. ETA 2020.

20) Daulton Jefferies, RHP, Grade C+: Age 22, compensation round pick in 2016 from University of California, pitched seven innings in High-A then blew out elbow and had Tommy John surgery; when healthy, features 90-95 MPH fastball with a slider and change-up both flashing plus; obviously we need to see how he comes back from the surgery. ETA 2020.

16) Jordan Stephens, RHP, Grade C+: Age 25, fifth round pick in 2015 out of Rice University; history of injuries and didn’t get on the mound in ’17 until June but performed well, 3.14 ERA with 83/35 K/BB in 92 innings in Double-A; low-90s fastball and an excellent curve, also has an average cutter and change-up, given durability issues as well as competition in this system, he might look better in bullpen. ETA late 2018.

20) Matt Hall, LHP, Grade C+: Age 24, drafted in the sixth round in 2015 from Missouri State University; posted 2.60 ERA with 149/59 K/BB in 138 innings between High-A and Double-A, 128 hits allowed; doesn’t burn radar, fastball around 88-90, but gets grounders and racks up whiffs with outstanding curveball and solid change-up; needs to lower walks but if that happens he could be a fine fourth starter; ETA 2019.