Detroit Tigers Prospects Ready for September Audition

Steven Moya, Outfielder

Because of the injury earlier in the season to Victor Martinez and the trade of Yoenis Cespedes to the Mets Tyler Collins has been given an extended opportunity this season to prove why he should be the team’s left-fielder of the future. He’s failed to take that advantage. In the month of August he has started 15 games, made 64 plate appearances and slashed .242/.254/.306. He’s also only provided two home runs out of a position that’s expected to provide power for a lineup.

According to MLB Pipeline, Moya is the top prospect in the Tigers’ system and has recently been moved to left field in Toledo, likely as a prelude to his arrival in Detroit September 1.

Moya is 6 feet, 7 inches and 260 pounds of power potential that could team with Miguel Cabrera to supercharge the middle of the Tigers’ lineup. In 490 plate appearances at Toledo he collected 110 hits, including 25 doubles and 19 home runs. He also scored 49 runs and drove in 69.

The negative to his game is he struck out 148 times, or once in every 3.3 plate appearances. Moya only hit for a .241 average but his BAbip was .310 which means he’s providing good production when he does makes contact. More of that contact would make Moya a fixture as the Tigers’ left fielder for years to come.

May 23, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

(53) pitches in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Lobstein, Starting Pitcher

Lobstein didn’t make the team out of spring training but was the man the Tigers called on when Justin Verlander started the season on the disabled list. He was 3-5 with a 4.34 ERA in his eight starts before he was put on the 60-day disabled list due to soreness in his left shoulder.

Lobstein wasn’t a dominant pitcher but was only hit hard  in one start and was a stabilizing force in the rotation as the fifth starter while the team waited for Verlander to heal.

Lobstein has already completed one rehab start at Single-A Lakeland and has pitched twice for Toledo. He should be activated and back in Detroit in September.

Feb 28, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder

(63) poses during Photo day at Joker Merchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Wynton Bernard, Outfielder

Bernard was going nowhere in the San Diego Padres’ system before the Tigers picked him up for 2014. He was invited to the Tigers big league camp in spring training this year and played the season with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves.

Bernard totaled 145 hits in 493 at-bats for a .294 average and walked 33 times to give him a .343 OBP. He stole 39 bases on just his speed last season and will improve on that once as he gains professional experience.

He’s younger and has more potential at the plate than Triple-A outfielder Dan Fields and it’s not uncommon anymore for a player to make the jump from Double-A to the Majors. Of these two outfielders on the 40-man roster Bernard should get a chance in September to show what he has to offer.

May 14, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher

(50) hits a single in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Bryan Holaday, Catcher

Holaday backed up Alex Avila in 2014 and spent time in Detroit when Avila was on the disabled list earlier in the season. Now with James McCann entrenched as the starting catcher and Avila likely on his way out the Tigers will see if Holaday is still the man they want as the backup in 2016.

Holaday hit .271 in his 48 plate appearances earlier in the season but has struggled this season in Toledo. Defensively he has the skills most teams look for in their backup catcher.

He was sidelined in August with a dislocated thumb that initially looked like it would end his season but he recovered quickly and is healthy for September.

Michael Fulmer, Starting Pitcher

Fulmer came to the Tigers in the deal for Yoenis Cespedes and just finished his season at Double-A by being named Eastern League Pitcher of the Year. For Binghamton in the New York Mets’ system and Erie for the Tigers Fulmer made 22 starts with a 10-3 record, 2.06 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 120.2 innings pitched.

The Tigers would have to make a move to add Fulmer to their 40-man roster so he’d be available for a September call-up but that scenario is not as farfetched as it seems. Detroit has to add him to the roster prior to the Rule 5 Draft in December or risk losing him to another team. Why wait if the move is going to be made anyway?

Fulmer may be ticketed for a full season at Toledo next season but the Tigers should reward fans after a disastrous 2015 with a taste of what’s to come.

May 30, 2014; Toledo, OH, USA; Toledo Mud Hens third baseman

(27) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Charlotte Knights 3-2 at Fifth Third Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Hessman, Third and First Base

No, the Tigers are not going to make a roster move just to bring the Minor League’s career home run champion to Detroit for a final big league hurrah, but it sure would be fun if they did. What better way to remind fans that Major League Baseball is essentially just a bunch of adults playing a kids game for money (granted, loads and loads of money).

Earlier this month Hessman became the MiLB’s Sultan of Swat with home run No. 433 for his career. Crash Davis can only dream of the numbers Hessman has put up since his professional baseball career began in 1996, where he hit one home run for the Atlanta Braves’ Gulf Coast Rookie League team.

In parts of five seasons in “The Show” Hessman collected only 42 hits in 250 plate appearances but 14 of those were home runs. He spent time in 2007 and 2008 with the Tigers and his last appearance in a big league uniform was in 2010 with the Mets. He’s planning to retire anyway. Why not bow to the magic of baseball and let him do it as a Major Leaguer.