Tigers Minor League All-Star Team

It’s getting that time of year where minor league affiliates are playing their All-Star games. In fact, at this point, all of the full season teams have held their All Star game with the exception of Triple-A Toledo’s International League. With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to take a look at what an All-Star roster would look like if it was made up of Tigers minor leaguers. This isn’t a look at our top prospects, but rather a look at who is doing the best at each position in our system.

Catcher: Rob Brantly

This one is essentially a no-brainer. Well, maybe it’s closer than most think. Brantly has hit for average, and has shown doubles power at two stops so far in Erie and Toledo, putting himself in position to get at least a September call up. On the season Brantly has produced a slash line of .319/.367/.442 for an OPS of .810.

Runner Up: Curt Casali

First Base: Jordan Lennerton

Lennerton isn’t really a legitimate prospect because of the swing and miss in his game, but one can’t argue with his numbers. If it wasn’t for Brad Eldred leaving a day ago and not being in the organization any longer, this spot would’ve been his. Still, Lennerton has good enough numbers providing an OPS of .852 for the Seawolves, mashing 11 home runs and 16 doubles.

Runner Up: Rawley Bishop

Second Base: Niuman Romero

Romero was signed as a minor league free agent in the off-season. And while his signing didn’t appear to be of any significance, he has played the best of any organizational second baseman at this point. Romero has been a constant at the top of the Erie order, providing an OPS of .820 for the Seawolves.

Runner Up: Justin Henry

Third Base: Nick Castellanos

One of, if not the top Tigers prospect, Nick Castellanos is playing like it. At just 20 years old, he has already made his way to AA Erie, and he earned it. His triple slash line is the most impressive of all the Tigers minor leaguers, providing a combined .376/.426/.506 between both levels.

Runner Up: Wade Gaynor

Shortstop: Eugenio Suarez

Suarez was a Midwest League All-Star this season, making him an easy choice for this list. He leads the ‘Caps in hitting with a .311 batting average, and has smacked a whopping 24 doubles, helping give the middle infielder an OPS of .851 on the season. He has also played a quality SS to go with it, and has put himself in the conversation as one of the top prospects in the organization.

Runner Up: Dixon Machado (By default)

Designated Hitter: Dean Green

Green also can play a little bit of 1st base, but he is better off just having a bat in his hands. He is hitting .306 on the season, and has posted an OPS of .883 thus far. He is currently on the disabled list right now, and will no doubt help a Whitecaps push to the playoffs when he gets back.

Runner Up: Wade Gaynor

Outfield: Avisail Garcia, Tyler Collins, Steven Moya

The good news about the minor league All-Star outfield is these guys are all young, and all producing. Garcia is a physical freak, and is posting the best numbers of his career. Collins is a solid top of the order performer, and Moya has make leaps and bounds this season, even if he still has a long way to go.

Runner Up: Ben Guez

Starting Pitcher: Thomas Collier

This one was a tough one, seeing as how no starting pitcher in the Tigers system has really stood out. Collier has gone just 5-5 on the season, though that is no fault of his own. He has posted a 2.55 ERA for the Whitecaps, which is best of all Tigers minor league full season starters. He owns average stuff, but limits his mistakes, and has back of the rotation potential.

Runner Up: Adam Wilk

Closer: Bruce Rondon

Rondon may have a sloppy body, but he is the owner of a golden arm. When he throws strikes, there may not be a better closer in the minors, and he has done a much better job of throwing strikes in 2012. Rondon owns a 1.93 ERA this season and has 15 saves for the Lakeland Flying Tigers. In 23+ innings, he has walked only 10 batters, many of those early on in the season.

Runner Up: Michael Torrealba

Well, there you have my minor league All-Star team for 2012. Let me know if you would have any different, or if you have any question on any of the guys, please feel free to log in and comment.