When Zach Simons was traded to the Detroit Tigers from the Colorado Rockies, he was not among one of the top relieving prospects in the Colorado system. So when the Tigers needed to make room for Fransisco Cruceta, and Jason Grilli was being booed out of Comerica Park, Simons was rooting for another chance. When the Rockies dealt him to Detroit for the Italian Stallion: Jason Grilli, Simmons began his reasscendence into being a top reliever.

Drafted in the second round of the 2005 first year player draft, Simons was born and raised in Glenns Ferry Idaho, a town with a population of 1,600 people. He was a three star athlete at his high school, and was drafted his senior year in the 38th round. Simons held off on his dream of being a professional baseball player though and headed to Everett Community College, where he was drafted from in the second round. After being traded to the Tigers, Simons filled in as the setup man for the HiA Lakeland Tigers, pitching 13 innings and striking out 14. Despite those strikeout numbers, Simons did give up a hit to one out of every four hitters in his time with Modesto as a Rockie. He held hitters to a .166 average while with the Flying Tigers.

After a solid 2008, The Tigers named Simons to the 40 man roster, where he was able to make a showing in spring training. Rooming with Ryan Perry and Rick Porcello, Simons was pretty excited to see his teammates from last year make a major league roster.

“To do what those two guys did was incredible. I told Porcello I was more excited for him than he was. It doesn’t happen very often in this game that a 20-year-old and 22-year-old make the same club without pitching above high ‘A’ ball. That was a special moment.”

Simons also had his own special moment this spring training, when his lack of experience came to bite him in the rear. On a road trip to Jupiter, the minor leaguer forgot a change of clothes and had to wear the clothes on his back for the road trip: 

“I had nothing. I got a toothbrush at the front desk. I’m wearing the same clothes I wore yesterday.”

Simons will probably never make that mistake again, at least I hope not. 

Scouting: 

Simons is what assistant Al Avila considers a “Sinker-Slider” pitcher. Projected as a setup reliever, Simons features a four seam fastball that sits in the low ’90s. If needbe, he can register it up to 95. What is so impressive about his fastball is it’s late explosiveness that causes many hitters to get jammed. That fastball also has a burst as it reaches the plate. His out pitch is the power curve, which has great depth when located well. It is considered a plus pitch when thrown with good command, but that seems to be the problem with Simons.

Simons also features a changeup, but it is a pitch that still needs to be developed. Once developed though, it could become a good third pitch in the arsenal. Though the Tigers have said numerous times that they like Simons’ ability to absorb instruction, he still tends to speed up his delivery and gets in funks where he loses control because of it.  

So far this season, Simons has struggled in 2009 after being promoted to AA Erie. Here are his stats so far this season: 

Clevlen, who was Baseball America’s  #16 top prospect in the organization last season, fell out of the top 30 in the 2009 Baseabll America top Tigers prospects. Last season, Clevlen had a 44 game on base streak with the Mud Hens, but he could still face missing playing time.

The Mudhens outfield is stacked full of talent, including #21 prospect Clete Thomas, and #6 prospect Wilkin Ramirez. Also making the team who can play the outfield is utility man Ryan Raburn and veteran Timo Perez. It will be really interesting to note where thest outfielders play. I would assume due to recent Tommy John Surgery and having best speed on the squad, that Clete Thomas will be the center fielder, Wilkin Ramirez in left, and Brent Clevlen in right. This will be a pretty solid offensive squad. If power hitting Casper Wells heats up at the AA level, he could join this outfield squad as well.

Other News and Notes:

–Mike Hessman has also been optioned to AAA Toledo. Hessman, an Olypmian in 2008, is the Tigers’ version of Crash Davis. Hessman hit 39 bombs combined with the Tigers and Mudhens.

–Jon Heyman believes the Tigers could release or trade names like Magglio Ordonez, Brandon Inge, Carlos Guillen and Jeremy Bonderman at the deadline.  I would buy into this idea, especially with the 140 million dollar payroll the Tigers have in a city like Detroit. As much as I hate to say it, this could be the only option at the middle of the season.

– According to the Freep, The Tigers discussed trading Raburn to the Cardinals late last month. Raburn (if they are still talking) could fill in for Troy Glaus if David Freeze struggles. Seems like a good bridge as well between Glaus and top prospect Brett Wallace. Rumor has it the Tigers are looking for relief help (really?) Raburn could return a decent reliever.  The Tigers did have a deal done for righty Brian Stokes, who had a 3.51 ERA in 2008.

–Nate Robertson wants out: Ok, maybe not out, but he wants to start, and not sit in the Pen. Does he really have a choice? The Tigers had a chance to possibly trade him before spring, but the way he performed, I don’t see anyone biting. That is unless the Tigers eat some contract, or bring a reliever back in return with a higher salary.This might be me hoping just a bit too much, but the Dodgers have a severe hole at the starters posision. Could the Tigers package something for an out of option reliever like Hong-Chih Kuo? Yet again, the Mets might come a calling if Livan Hernandez or Mike Pelfrey falter.

–What’s on Tap?: The Tigers will take on the Atlanta Braves tonight at 7:05 PM ET. The game is actually at Turner Field. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN 2. Zach Minor Vs. Javier Vazquez tonight (awful familiar matchup). Scheduled to pitch for the Tigers include Fernando Rodney, Bobby Seay, Brandon Lyon and Juan Rincon.

–Spring Training Notes:

The Tigers are 4th in the AL in ERA.

Miguel Cabrera has hit safely in six of his seven games sicne returning from the WBC. Same goes for Curtis Granderson.

Gerald Laird is hitting .382 over the last 11 games.

Eddie Bonine has yet to be scored on in his last 10 outings, and Juan Rincon has not been scored on in his only 11 innings.

The Tigers open up in Toronto, and will work out there at about 5 PM on Sunday.

Gary Sheffield has not missed an opening day since 1989. Now he is searching for someone to give him a chance.

Sheffield, who is one home run away from the elusive 500 club was surprised and shocked at the move, citing that he hadn’t even thought of it as a possibility. Dave Dombrowski and Jim Leyland dropped the news on the future hall of fame candidate.

The move will now give the Tigers more flexibility in the outfield, that includes keeping slugger Marcus Thames in a constant rotation into the lineup. The team will also be able to insert more speed in the lineup, giving newly acquired Josh Anderson a bit more playing time.

Meanwhile, this move allows for Jeff Larish to battle for the final spot on the roster. If I were to predict, the job is his to loose, unless Leyland carries one more pitcher to start the season (considereing all of the injuries).

I love this move becuase it gives the Tigers many options throughout the season. It will give Carlos Guillen time off in left, get Larish in the lineup at first, and keep everyone healthy throughout the season.

When you add a guy to the lineup that projects to hit 40+ homers if he plays everyday and stays healthy (which he has), then you have to be doing something right.  It will be interesting to see the role that Josh Anderson plays in 2009 now with Sheffield gone. At least now I’m not cussing at Tiger management for leaving one of the hottest hitters off the roster.

All in all, a good Tuesday!