MCB Prospect Recap: Oliver and Turner Get Hit Around, Furbush Shines

Here’s your weekly report on some of the top prospects in the Detroit Tigers system.

Week of April 23-29, 2011

Andy Oliver – LHP (AAA – Toledo Mud Hens)
This Week: 1 GS, 4.2 IP, 3 SO, 4 BB, 1 HR, 5 ER
Season: 4 GS, 22.2 IP, 25 SO, 10 BB, 2 HR, 4.76 ERA

Charlie Furbush – LHP (AAA – Toledo Mud Hens)
This Week: 1 GS, 7.0 IP, 11 SO, 1 BB, 1 HR, 2 ER
Season: 4 GS, 23.2 IP, 32 SO, 5 BB, 1 HR, 1.90 ERA

Jacob Turner – RHP (AA – Erie SeaWolves)
This Week: 1 GS, 7.0 IP, 4 SO, 1 BB, 2 HR, 4 ER
Season: 4 GS, 26.2 IP, 24 SO, 4 BB, 3 HR, 2.70 ERA

Casey Crosby – LHP (AA – Erie SeaWolves)
This Week: 1 GS, 5.0 IP, 5 SO, 3 BB, 0 HR, 1 ER
Season: 3 GS, 11.2 IP, 13 SO, 8 BB, 1 HR, 6.17 ERA

Chance Ruffin – RHP (AA – Erie SeaWolves)
This Week: 2 G, 1.1 IP, 1 SO, 1 BB, 0 HR, 0 ER
Season: 6 G, 4.1 IP, 3 SO, 3 BB, 0 HR, 2.08 ERA

Drew Smyly – LHP (A+ – Lakeland Flying Tigers)
Placed on the disabled list on April 23
Season: 3 GS, 17.2 IP, 14 SO, 3 BB, 0 HR, 4.08 ERA

Andy Dirks – OF (AAA – Toledo Mud Hens)
This Week: 7 G, 30 AB, 13 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 1 BB, 3 SO, 2 SB
Season: 23 G, 86 AB, 6 HR, 13 SO, 8 SB, .337 AVG, .389 OBP, .640 SLG

Bryan Holaday – C (AA – Erie SeaWolves)
This Week: 4 G, 14 AB, 6 H, 1 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO, 1 SB
Season: 14 G, 51 AB, 2 HR, 1 SB, 16 SO, .255 AVG, .255 OBP, .412 SLG

Daniel Fields – OF (A+ – Lakeland Flying Tigers)
This Week: 5 G, 19 AB, 3 H, 2 BB, 9 SO
Season: 20 G, 72 AB, 1 HR, 29 SO, 1 SB, .194 AVG, .322 OBP, .278 SLG

Nick Castellanos – 3B (A – West Michigan Whitecaps)
This Week: 6 G, 21 AB, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 SO
Season: 19 G, 67 AB, 0 HR, 20 SO, .179 AVG, .222 OBP, .209 SLG

Andy Oliver and Jacob Turner didn’t have great weeks. Turner’s stat line isn’t completely awful, but allowing two home runs doesn’t look good. Neither pitcher got their big strikeout numbers this week, but I’m far from worrying about either guy.

Has Charlie Furbush passed Andy Oliver as the “first guy up” should the Tigers need a replacement in the rotation? I don’t think so, but the left-hander has sparkled in back-to-back complete games (seven innings). In the last two games (14 IP), he’s allowed 2 ER, walked one batter, and struck out 22.

I’m headed to the Whitecaps game this afternoon, so I’ll be able to give a first hand report on Nick Castellanos.

Like what you see here and want to stay informed on the happenings at MCB? Make sure to follow us on Twitter, friend us on Facebook, or grab our RSS feed.