Detroit Tigers: Top 10 Prospects Following 2016 Season

4. Beau Burrows

Position: Starting Pitcher
2016 Affiliate: West Michigan Whitecaps

Yet another starting pitcher who will eventually factor into the rotation is Beau Burrows. A former first-round pick with two plus pitchers (fastball and curveball), Burrows has been nothing short of excellent in his first seasons in professional baseball.

The 20-year-old pitched to a 1.61 ERA in 28 innings as a rookie, striking out 33 while only walking 11 batters.

2016 Stats

The 2016 season brought more success for the Texas native, who registered a 3.15 ERA while walking only 30 batters in 97 innings. His strikeout total dipped to 67, but with a promising fastball-curveball combination, Burrows should see that number rise in the future.

Future Role

With Burrows, Manning and Funkhouser all likely to join Fulmer, Norris and Boyd in the rotation, Detroit will have some excellent starting depth. Expect Burrows to compete for and eventually win a starting job with the Tigers.

However, in the event that the right-hander is temporarily forced to spend time in the bullpen at the Major League level, similar to Drew Smyly a few years back, his pitching arsenal should help him find success there as well.

Detroit may very well have one of the best young pitching staffs in three or four years’ time.