Article:Detroit Tigers 2008 Top Ten Prospects

The Tigers unloaded their top two prospects, (Cameron Maybin) and (Jair Jurrgens]]) in the (I believe) ill-advised Miguel Cabrera/Dontrelle Willis) trade, leaving, as they say, the cupboard bare. Their new #1, Rick Porcello, has Justin Verlander type stuff and projects as a top-of the rotation starter, with no one else expected to become an impact player at the ML level. The price you pay for immediate return, I guess.


 * 1) Rick Porcello, 19, RHP, first round, 2007

Grandfather, Sam Dente a former Major Leaguer. Similar in delivery style and repetoire to Justin Verlander. Fastball is plus, (95-97) with an inside rise on righthanded hitters. Natural mechanics and good stamina allows him to maintain velocity deep into games. Plus slider and curve with an improving change. Impressed Tigers with makeup and maturity during Instructional League workouts. Signed too late to play in 2007. Pitch command was unimpressive in I-League but more due to inactivity the Tigers feel. Tigers pitching coaches have worked on a more up-and-down follow thru as opposed to across the body with results encouraging. Tigers may start him in High Class A (Lakeland, FL) so he pitches in warm weather and will not retard his movement, if he pitches well enough to reach Detroit, then he will.


 * 2) Cale Iorg, 22, righthanded hitting shortstop, sixth round, 2007

Son of former Major Leaguer Garth Iorg. Has good all round baseball instincts. Tigers were surprised by his arm strength, giving hope he will remain at SS. Good hitter with .300 potential and upwards of 20 homers per season. Missed two complete seasons due to a Mormon mission and it showed during his first pro season. Shut down with hamstring problems late in the season, will start at Low Class A in '08.


 * 3) Scott Sizemore, 22, righthanded hitting second baseman, fifth round, 2005

Sound hitter with good bat control. Tigers experimented with Sizemore at shortstop in the Arizona Fall League with mixed results although he did hit .356. Good eye, walked more than he struck out. Not a speedburner on the bases but has good instincts and with good bat control fits as a #2 hitter. Doesn't have the arm to play full time at short and range is average at second. He will hit well enough to reach the majors but with questionable power and defensive ability a utilty role is his best option to stay there. Double A in 2008.


 * 4) Michael Holliman, 25, switchhitting second baseman, sixteenth round, 2005

Decent range with good feet and hands, Tigers have experimented with Holliman at shortstop. Has a compact, level swing from both sides of the plate and has good speed, projects to double digit totals in doubles and triples if plays everyday. Focuses on the outside part of the plate, has difficulty when pitched inside. Tigers have attempted an open stance/higher hands approach which so far hasn't paid dividends. Detroit has considered adding the outfield to his resume in order to get his bat to the majors but for now he will remain at second. Triple A


 * 5) Yorman Bazardo, 23, RHP, free agent, 2000

Originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Has played for four organizations, most recently Seattle. Pitched well in Triple A for Tigers last season, average fastball with natural sink, a plus change and an unorthodox motion which keeps hitters off balance. Does not have a ML quality breaking ball. Since Bazardo is out of options he will begin the season in Detroit, albeit in the bullpen.


 * 6) Jeff Larish, 25, lefthanded hitting, righthanded throwing first baseman, fifth round, 2005

Tigers top minor league power prospect. Waits well on the ball, can hit it out to left just as easily as to right. Patient hitter, won't chase bad pitches although he does find himself in pitcher's counts a bit more frequently than the Tigers would like. Good hands and feet around first base with a good enough arm to play the outfield, which the Tigers have considered, what with Carlos Guillen now at first and signed til 2011. Played some third base in the Arizona Fall League, giving the Tigers another option in getting his bat to the majors. Triple A in 2008


 * 7) Matt Joyce, 23, lefthanded hitting, righthanded throwing outfielder, twelfth round, 2005

Smooth swing with improving power, could reach 20 in the majors. Needs to cut down on strikeouts (127 in 456 AB's) to have a shot in reaching Detroit. Has the speed to play center, has the best arm in the organization and gets good reads off the bat with good routes. If Joyce shows the patience and improves his plate discipline this season in Triple A, he will place himself in the Tigers plans for a full time role in 2009.


 * 8) Danny Worth, 22, righthanded hitting shortstop, second round, 2007

Prototypical shortstop, good hands, strong arm, good feet and movement and instincts. Offensively is a gap hitter with little power. On the bases his speed is below average although good instincts make him appear faster. With no true shortstop ahead of him in the system, Worth should move quickly and will start 2008 in Double A.


 * 9) Francisco Cruceta, 26, RHP, free agent, 1999 (Dodgers)

Similar to Bazardo, Cruceta has pitched for four organizations prior to coming to Detroit and signed a ML free agent contract this past off-season. Suspended 50 games in 2007 for using performance enhancers while in Rangers organization. Average fastball in velocity, becomes plus because of movement. Average curve and a decent splitter which he uses as a changeup. Is erratic in his delivery and command, without a serviceable slider or straight change is limited to the pen, where he will be in 2008 in Detroit.


 * 10) Brandon Hamilton, 19, RHP, first round supplemental, 2007

Plus curve with an average fastball, which projects to above average as he grows. Working on a different FB grip to give him more movement. Has a below average slider and change which should also reach average. Command below average but he lacks experience at this point. Good build and atheticism, mechanics are above average for a young pitcher. Low Class A in 2008


 * Kelsdad provides the Minor League Prospect Reports exclusively for ArmchairGM

Rankings by Baseball America, contributing text by Jon Paul Morosi

Next: The Kansas City Royals