Notes of spring: Tigers hoping for big things from Verlander trio
By Sam Dykstra/MiLB.com
LAKELAND, Florida — This is expected to be the biggest year for the Tigers farm system in some time. Ranked by MiLB.com as the No. 25 system in the game entering 2017, Detroit will be higher in this year’s edition and will undoubtedly jump again in 2019. That comes as a direct result of rough times with the big club, of course. The Tigers will have the top pick in this year’s Draft after going 64–98 last season, and their roster took a big hit when they dealt Justin Verlander to the Astros last August.
The Major League club’s loss is the farm system’s gain, at least for now.
Detroit picked up right-hander Franklin Perez, catcher Jake Rogers and outfielder Daz Cameron in the Verlander trade. All three are ranked among MLB.com’s top nine Tigers prospects, and the trio is a big reason why the organization’s farm is newly relevant.
Perez has become the club’s top prospect and is ranked No. 39 overall. He was pushed aggressively by the Astros, moving up to Double-A Corpus Christi as a 19-year-old last season, but the Venezuela native held his own with a 3.09 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 32 innings in the Texas League. A blister kept him from making a start with Erie at the tail end of 2017, but Tigers vice president of player development Dave Littlefield has been deeply impressed by the right-hander, even if he can’t commit to pushing Perez as quickly as he was with the Astros.
“He’s thrown bullpens, he’s thrown in games on the backfields and he’s looked very, very good,” Littlefield. “We have high hopes. I would anticipate him starting at Double-A. The players will determine where they go. But he’s a very good-looking pitcher who should get a chance to be a front-end starter at some point in his career.”
Listed fifth in MLB.com’s ranking of Tigers prospects, Rogers has drawn raves for his defensive work behind the plate, receiving a 70 grade for his fielding tool and a 65 for his arm. He threw out 45.6 percent of attempted basestealers at Class A and Class A Advanced last season and showed offensive potential as well with 18 homers in 112 games . That made him a fairly easy non-roster invitee to Major League camp, and though he’ll likely be reassigned soon, he’s made an impression in his short time there.
“He’s an intelligent kid,” Littlefield said. “He’s got that ballplayer-type style and thought process. He’s a leader, a strong personality, a confident guy. Then you add the tools of being able to throw really well and being able to call a game and work with pitchers. Chris Bosio’s mentioned that to me a few times about his time in big league camp, how for a young guy he’s really worked well with pitchers who have had a lot more experience. The bat is going to be impressive. As a catcher, obviously the ability to swing the bat is going to be a great asset. He’s got the makings of real good-looking player.”
There was a time when Cameron would be the headlining prospect in any deal. The 21-year-old outfielder was considered a top-10 talent going into the 2015 Draft but fell to the Astros at No. 37 over signability concerns. He had a rough first full season, hitting just .212 with a .608 OPS in 40 games at Class A and Class A Short Season before suffering a broken finger. He returned to Class A Quad Cities as a 20-year-old in 2017 and eased some of the concerns, hitting .271 with an .815 OPS, 14 homers and 32 steals. The Tigers believe that, though Cameron’s stock may be down, he can still play a big role in the organization’s upcoming rebuild.
“He’s a physically gifted guy,” Littlefield said. “Above-average defense, runs well, throws well, strong body that if he hits, which he’s showing signs that it’s improving, you got a chance to have a player with a lot of talent.”
MORE NOTES FROM TIGERS CAMP
— Derek Hill is back in Tigers camp at a crossroads in his career. The 2014 first-rounder spent all of his first two full seasons at Class A West Michigan because significant offensive issues before Tommy John surgery knocked him out for the first half of 2017. Hill’s saving grace has always been his plus-plus glove in center field, and it’s possible that he could climb to the Majors on his speed and defense alone. But the Tigers want him to show that he’s capable of adding value at the plate as well.
“We’re anxious for him to get back out there healthy and have a good year and show improvement with the bat,” Littlefield said. “He’s a very good thrower. He can run like a deer. He’s got great defensive instincts. He’s been working hard at his bat. We’ve been working on bunting to try to get him on base more and get use of that speed. The player will show us what he’s got. I know we’re all working hard to try to help him.”
The biggest development might have been that Hill finished 2017 with Class A Advanced Lakeland after playing 181 career games over three seasons with West Michigan. Even to get a taste of Florida State League action for nine games could serve as motivation for Hill, who will play the upcoming season as a 22-year-old. He’ll return to Lakeland to begin 2018, but the Tigers don’t want him getting comfortable there either.
“I think it’s a good accomplishment for him,” Littlefield said. “As players go, they can get bored or get tired with that uneasy feeling of ‘I’m never going to get out of here.’ That happens. So you try to balance that with giving him a fresh start. But there’s also idea that you have to earn your way through it. It’s not JV to varsity anymore. You have to perform in our business.”
— Littlefield noted that No. 6 prospect Kyle Funkhouser is throwing without restrictions at this year’s Minor League camp. The 2016 fourth-rounder was off to an impressive start last season, posting a 2.44 ERA with 83 strikeouts and 19 walks in 62 2/3 innings at West Michigan and Lakeland before elbow issues ended his campaign in June. Tests revealed nothing worrisome. Funkhouser will likely begin 2018 back at Lakeland but could rise quickly with Littlefield noting how “advanced” the organization believes him to be.
