2012 MCB Detroit Tigers Top 50 Prospects: #40 – #36

The Detroit Tigers Minor League affiliates seasons are officially in the books and the off-season is in full swing. With another season completed, the time has come for John Verburg and I to announce our 2012 MCB Detroit Tigers Top 50 Prospects List. Over the last month John and I have combined our lists to form a final product for our readers. Each players production, ceiling, floor and positional value ultimately determined their overall ranking. The finalized prospect list will be rolled out five at a time on my end covering each players background and a description on why they’re ranked that high and/or low. John will follow with a more detailed scouting report on each of the prospects.

Be sure to check back frequently and join the discussion as we work our way through the 2012 MCB Detroit Tigers Top 50 Prospects List.

2012 MCB Detroit Tigers Top 50 Prospects: #40 – #36

#40 Tommy Collier
Position: Right-Handed Starting Pitcher
Age: 21-years-old
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 205
2011 Teams: Connecticut Tigers 
2011 MiLB STATS: 39 IP  4-1 1.85 ERA 0.97 WHIP 2.3 BB/9  8.1 K/9
2012 Projected Team: Class-A West Michigan 

Background:
The Detroit Tigers selected Tommy Collier in the 22-round of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of San Jacinto CC (North, TX). The Tommy John survivor currently features a fastball and change-up that many scouts rate as plus-offerings. He also features a nasty slider that’s believed to have potential. After quickly signing, Collier logged 39 innings in short-season Connecticut, posting an impressive 1.85 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.

Why He’s This High:
Collier already features an impressive arsenal that keeps the ball in the yard and misses bats. Ultimately his health will remain the biggest variable in his road to the show.

Why He’s This Low:
He has the repertoire to start, but his health might force a full-time switch to the bullpen. The limited pro data and health concerns dropped him a bit in our rankings. Regardless, the 22-round JUCO stud has the potential to be a steal for the Tigers down the road.

#39 Josue Carreno
Position: Right-Handed Starting Pitcher
Age: 20-years-old
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 170
2011 Teams: Class-A West Michigan
2011 MiLB STATS: 124 2/3 IP  7-10 4.55 ERA 1.39 WHIP 3.0 BB/9  8.3 K/9
2012 Projected Team: Class-A West Michigan 

Background:
The Detroit Tigers signed Josue Carreno as a 16-year old out of Venezuela in October of 2007. The right-hander features a plus-fastball, solid-average curveball and a fringey change-up.

Carreno spent his first two seasons as a Tiger in the Venezuelan Summer League. Both seasons he posted a sub 3 ERA with impressive walk and strikeout ratios. He came stateside in 2010, logging 64 1/3 innings for Connecticut, striking out nearly a batter per inning. However, he also posted career highs in hits, walks and home runs, which naturally murdered his record, ERA and WHIP. He was given another aggressive assignment last season when he was promoted to Class-A West Michigan. On the bright side, the 20-year-old logged nearly 125 innings and continued to strikeout nearly a better per inning. The walks and home runs dropped a tick but he continued to allow over a hit per inning which is concerning.

Why He’s This High:
Like most young players the potential is there but he must continue to refine his skills in order for his stuff to be effective as the levels increase. His ability to miss bats and his raw talent easily put him in our top forty.

Why He’s This Low:
Although he stayed afloat during his aggressive promotion last season he’s still got a long way to go. After an impressive debut in the VSL his first two seasons, he’s struggled a bit these last two campaigns. Perhaps a repeat of the MidWest League will help Carreno get back on track. Regardless, his ceiling realistically looks more accurate as a back of the rotation guy in my opinion.

#38 Jose Ortega 
Position: Right-Handed Reliever
Age: 23-years-old
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 185
2011 Teams: AAA-Toledo 
2011 MiLB STATS: 50 IP  1-3 6.30 ERA 1.76 WHIP 4.9 BB/9  7.9 K/9
2012 Projected Team: AAA-Toledo 

Background:
The Detroit Tigers signed Jose Ortega as a 17-year old out of Venezuela in July of 2006. After spending 2007 and 2008 in the Venezuelan Summer League, Ortega came stateside in 2008 as a reliever for Oneonta. His first full season of pro ball came in 2009 where he saw action at three levels. That season Ortega compiled a combined 3.03 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 31 walks over 68 1/3 innings. Last season Ortega never really got rolling, finishing with a less-than stellar 6.30 ERA and 1.76 WHIP. Despite being added to the Tigers 40-man roster, Ortega took a bit of a step back last season in my opinion. Next season will be a make or break year for his future with the Tigers.

Why He’s This High:
Despite his size, the 23-year-old is the epitome of everything the Tigers look for in a reliever. His plus-plus fastball lights up the radar and is complimented by a solid plus slider. If he can iron out his command and control problems he could be a solid seventh or eighth inning MLB reliever very soon.

Why He’s This Low:
Ortega struggles with command and rarely repeats his mechanics. I’m not trying to pour salt in an open wound but I fear that last season might properly define Ortega. As the the levels have increased, hitters have become more patient and his numbers have suffered. I can’t stress enough how important next season is for him.

#37 Tyler Stohr
Position: Right-Handed Reliever
Age: 25-years-old
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 210
2011 Teams: Advanced-A Lakeland & AA-Erie
2011 MiLB STATS: 57 IP  1-2  3.79 ERA 1.25 WHIP 3.9 BB/9  7.9 K/9
2012 Projected Team: AAA-Toledo 

Background:
The Detroit Tigers selected Tyler Stohr in the sixth round of the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of North Florida University. After quickly signing, Stohr notched 12 saves and posted a 3.98 ERA for short-season Oneonta. The following season, he posted a 3.54 ERA, saving 19 games for the West Michigan Whitecaps. Unfortunately his 2010 campaign was limited to just 5 innings as he was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery. Stohr would return in 2011 though splitting time between Advanced-A Lakeland and AA-Erie. Last season Stohr posted a combined 3.79 ERA over 57 innings for the Tigers affiliates.

Why He’s This High:
Stohr has shown the ability at times to be a quality late inning reliever. His plus-fastball and solid slider have generated respectable numbers across the board his entire minor league career. He’s also recently been added to the Tigers 40-man roster.

Why He’s This Low:
Although he’s recently been added to the Tigers 40-man roster, I question wether or not his stuff will translate at the Major League level. He has a tendency to lose the strike zone and become a bit to hittable at times for my taste. His violent mechanics also place a tremendous amount of pressure on his Tommy John repaired arm.

#36 Brandon Loy
Position: SS
Age: 21-years-old
Height: 6’
Weight: 190
Bats: Right-Handed
Throws: Right-Handed
2011 Teams: GCL Tigers & Advanced-A Lakeland 
2011 MiLB STATS: 56 AB .250 AVG .354 OB%  2 doubles 5 RBI
2012 Projected Team: Advanced-A Lakeland 

Background:
The Detroit Tigers selected Brandon Loy is the fifth round of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Texas. As a junior last season, Loy started all 68 games at shortstop for Texas and hit for .342 average. Unfortunately Loy signed late and was only able to log 56 at-bats last season.

Why He’s This High:
Without a doubt Loy’s meal ticket is his defense. In fact, he was arguably one of the best shortstops defensively in the entire draft last year. Scouts rave over his quick feet, soft hands, solid arm and plus range. At this point, he’s probably only second to Gustavo Nunez defensively in the Tigers system.

Why He’s This Low:
Despite his extraordinary defense, scouts question his bat. He should be able to limit strikeouts and work counts which is encouraging. Ultimately his projected lack of power and inability to hit for average leave me a little skeptical though. Any success at the plate should make him a quick riser in the Tigers farm system. Ultimately I fear that his bat will continue to hold him back though. He reminds me a lot of Tigers former “shortstop of the future” Cale Iorg.

2012 MCB Detroit Tigers Top 50 Prospects

#50 – #46

#45 – #40

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