2011 MCB Down on the Farm All-Star Team: DH Tony Plagman

The Detroit Tigers Minor League affiliates seasons are now officially in the books. With another season completed, the time has come for me to announce the 2011 MCB Down on the Farm All-Star Team.

In an effort to reward less talked about prospects, only players that did not receive a call-up to Detroit this season were eligible. While you may recognize some of the names, remember these awards aren’t a pronouncement of the Tigers top prospects. The awards were based heavily upon the best overall statistical season per position.

Similar to previous years, the breakdown of the roster will consist of one player per position, a designated hitter, five starting pitchers and five relievers.

2011 MCB Down on the Farm All-Star Team: DH Tony Plagman

TEAM: Advanced-A Lakeland Flying Tigers

STATS: 526 AB, .257/.331/.435/.766

32 doubles, 4 triple, 18 home runs, 97 RBI, 50 BB and 94 SO

BACKGROUND:

Tony Plagman was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the ninth round of the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The 6’2″, 211 pound left-handed batter attended Georgia Tech University. His first full season of pro ball began in 2010 when he joined the Class-A West Michigan Whitecaps. In 243 at-bats, Plagman hit .272 with a .337 on-base-percentage for the Whitecaps that season. Now 24-years-old, Plagman spent 2011 with the Advanced-A Lakeland Flying Tigers.

BEHIND THE NUMBERS:

He wasn’t particularly young for the FSL last season but the results were very impressive. His performance earned him a selection to the FSL Mid-Season All-Star Team and he also competed in the Home Run Derby.

Plagman recorded career highs in walks, doubles, triples, home runs and RBI last season. His 97 RBI were also the most in the Florida State League and his 32 doubles were eighth highest.

Plagman continues to flash middle of the lineup power. Regardless of your opinion of the RBI statistic, Plagman has the bat to be a solid RBI guy. Despite the solid power and RBI numbers, you’d like to see the average jump a bit. His long swing continues to keep scouts wondering whether or not the strikeout numbers will level off or not as the levels increase. Surprisingly though we saw a slight decrease in strikeouts–now 15.8%–while the walks remained near 8% last season. Obviously any increase in the walk ratio would greatly help Plagman down the road.

FUTURE:

While it has nothing to do with his own promising talent, the fact is this; No matter how well Plagman does the odds of him landing a full-time job with the Detroit Tigers are virtually slim to none. Plain and simple, Miguel Cabrera shall remain the starting first baseman for the foreseeable future. Landing a full-time gig as a designated hitter is also pretty damn hard too. One thing Plagman has working for him though is that he played outfield in high school. Primarily a designated hitter and first baseman for the Flying Tigers this season, Plagman saw ten games in the outfield. While his defense is solid at first base, scouts grade his arm as fringy in the outfield so it’s definitely work in progress. If Plagman continues at this pace I see his as a Ryan Strieby type that will likely either add depth in AAA-Toledo and ultimately marinate until a trade presents itself. Still, anything is possible I guess.

The Tigers will likely continue to challenge Plagman and hope for the best. As I previously mentioned, I expect him to begin 2012 with the AA-Erie Sea Wolves.

Congratulations to Tony Plagman for an outstanding season.

2011 MCB Down on the Farm All-Stars

C Rob Brantly

3B Nick Castellanos  

SS Gustavo Nunez

2B Brandon Douglas

1B Jordan Lennerton

OF Danry Vasquez 

OF Avisail Garcia 

OF Jamie Johnson 

Next Up: SP

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