Detroit Tigers: Impressive trade debuts, Alfredo Simon pushed back

There is never a certainty when trading proven Major League commodities for prospects and young players. They will have bad days, but the initial returns for two pieces picked up by the Detroit Tigers last week have looked very good.

First, yesterday’s starter Daniel Norris. He said before the game how he was excited to be here and was ready to make an impact more often in Detroit than he had been able to make in Toronto to this point. He was thrown right into the fire with a start against a hot-hitting Baltimore Orioles team on Sunday and gave the Tigers everything they needed and more.

Norris made a nifty diving catch on a popped up bunt, went a career high 7.1 innings, scattering four hits and allowing just one run. He struck out five, including the first two of the ball game to set an early tone, and walked only one. He threw 84 pitches, 50 for a strike.

Down on the farm, JaCoby Jones made his first start with the Erie SeaWolves after being nabbed by Detroit in exchange for Joakim Soria, who was dealt to the Pirates last Thursday.

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He went three-for-four with three homers. How’s this for power in all directions, he had a homer to left, right and center. See a scouting report on Jones, whom some have called “a steal” for the Tigers.

Back in Detroit, Alfredo Simon has had a couple of good outings after about 5-6 forgettable appearances. He has done so, at least in his last game, with a sore groin. The Tigers will use Monday’s off-day to good use and switch Anibal Sanchez and Simon in the rotation to give him another day to rest and hope for the best.

Daniel Norris excited about Detroit Tigers debut: ‘I’m itching to get out there and throw’ – Chris Iott, MLive

"Norris took it as a compliment that he was involved in a trade for Price.“The trade in itself speaks volumes to what they think of me,” he said. “That’s great. I feel like I couldn’t be put in a better situation, an immediate opportunity to compete in the big leagues. I’m happy about that, kind of itching to get out there and throw.”“He’s a premium pitching prospect,” general manager Dave Dombrowski said. “He’s 22 years of age, one of the best young pitching prospects at the big-league level. He’s a four-pitch guy but he’s got an above-average fastball. He’s got a real good feel on the mound. We like him a lot. … We regard him as a premium guy and close to pitching in the big leagues.”Norris has a quality fastball, but he has heard people talk about how his velocity has been down this season. He’s puzzled by that talk and said so when asked about it Saturday.“My velo’s been good,” he said. “Probably my last three or four starts I’ve been 92-95 (mph), which is pretty normal to me. Someone had asked me the same thing. I was kind of scratching my head. In the beginning of the season when I was in Toronto, I was going through dead arm and I was like 88-90. I’ve felt pretty good.”"

Tigers Scouting Report: JaCoby Jones – Tigs Town, Mark Anderson

"Hit: Aggressive swinger that likes to attack pitches anywhere near the zone; struggles to recognize spin; plus bat speed that is generated with a loose swing; strong arms and wrists; snaps the bat around like a weapon; uncontrolled aggression that has plenty of swing and miss; needs to make more contact for batting average to show at highest level; likely below-average hitter with modest OBP because of aggressive approach; will refine current ability some to reach below-average projection. Grade – Present 3+/Future 4Power: Ball jumps off his bat when he makes contact; easy power thanks to natural strength and high-end bat speed; can drive ball to all parts of the field but really shows it off to pull side; can’t always get to power in game situations because of trouble making consistent contact; power has average potential but will play down to below-average or fringe level; should find doubles and home runs in his game. Grade – 5 (raw)/4 (playable)"

Detroit Tigers push back Alfredo Simon’s next start due to lingering groin issue – MLive, Iott

"“I’m concerned about it,” Ausmus said. “And I don’t get concerned about many things. Just because he felt good in his bullpen before his last start and then didn’t look real good, so we’ll give him these extra days. … Obviously, if we have to adjust, we will.”"

Next: Be frustrated with 2015 but no longer dread the future of the Tigers