Eastern League MVP Steven Moya among seven September call-ups to Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers will get a good look at their future while trying to keep their present alive past September as they promoted seven players from the minor leagues.

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For some it is a reward for a very good season, particularly Steven Moya, who has turned heads throughout Double-A. His promotion continues a great year for the 23-year-old. Moya participated in the All-Stars Futures Game, was the MVP of the Eastern League All-Star Game after hitting a grand slam, and he was named the 2014 Eastern League’s Most Valuable Player.

Moya posted a .276 average, 35 homers, 105 RBIs, and .861 OPS in 133 games. Of course with all that power comes a downside: strikeouts. Moya racked up 161 K’s this year.

Fans have taken notice of James McCann in Toledo this year, particular the last couple months where the catcher has been red hot. McCann appeared in the All-Stars Future Games in 2013 while at Erie and has posted a .295 average with 34 doubles and 54 RBIs over 109 games. He would offer a better alternative facing left handed pitchers than Alex Avila or Bryan Holaday, who are hitting .216 and .164 respectively against southpaws. McCann was hitting lefties at a .342 clip in Toledo.

Tyler Collins had a monster spring and was a surprise selection of the Tigers to make the Opening Day roster for the first time in his career, however he struggled in two stints in Detroit this year.

Rounding out the non-pitcher call-up is Hernan Perez, who spent a lot of time shuttling between Toledo and Detroit last season, but has not appeared at the big league level this year. He batted .287 with 45 extra base hits, including seven homers, and 53 RBIs in 133 games.

The pitchers called up was really no surprise, all (Kyle Lobstein, Kyle Ryan, and Robbie Ray) have made starts for the Tigers within the past few weeks.

Two surprises that did not receive the September invite include Ian Krol, who has been up and down with the club this year, started strong but has been unable to get it going in recent months. Another minor surprise is that Devon Travis is not being promoted. Travis was batting .298 with 37 extra base hits (10 homers) and 52 RBIs in 100 games at Erie, however the Tigers are toying with the idea of moving the second baseman to centerfield.

Perhaps that would better be accomplished when Travis plays in the Arizona Fall League in a couple of months.

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