Detroit Tigers: How Origination’s Top Prospects are Faring in Arizona Fall League

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila is moving away from hefty contracts. The Tigers will now focus on development. With that said, here’s how Detroit’s prospects are faring in the Arizona Fall League.

Detroit Tigers fans saw a fare bit of youth infused into the active roster last season. Not only did the likes of JaCoby Jones and Michael Fulmer make their Major League debuts, but Fulmer, Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd and Bruce Rondon established themselves as integral parts of the team.

With Avila looking to operate with a younger and more fiscally-sustainable team, the emergence of the young players was key.

However, the aforementioned players aren’t the only young players with high upside in the Detroit system. The likes of Matt Manning, Mike Gerber and Joe Jimenez will all contribute to the Tigers down the road.

Additionally, the team sent seven players to Arizona to participate in the Arizona Fall League. The seven players include outfielder Christin Stewart, Jones and catcher Grayson Greiner.

Four right-handed pitchers, Artie Lewicki, Adam Ravenelle, Jeff Thompson and Spencer Turnbull, also made the trip.

All seven players will get valuable experience and reps playing for the Salt River Rafters against other top minor league talents.

Coincidentally, the group is joined by a pair of former Tigers farmhands. Backstop Kade Scivicque, who went to Atlanta in the Erick Aybar trade, is also playing for the Rafters—as is pitcher Gabe Speier.

Speier came to Detroit with Yoenis Cespedes and Alex Wilson from Boston in exchange for Rick Porcello. After one year in the Tigers organization, the pitcher was also dealt to Atlanta.

Speier and Ian Krol were dealt for Cameron Maybin. The left-hander was dealt to Arizona last offseason in the Shelby Miller blockbuster.

Here’s a look at how the seven current Tigers farmhands are doing so far in the Arizona Fall League.

Grayson Greiner and Artie Lewicki

Grayson Greiner

AFL Stats: 13 at-bats, 12 total bases, six hits, five RBI, three doubles, three runs scored, two walks, one home run and no strikeouts.

Will Greiner Crack the Major League Roster in 2017?

Probably. A towering, 6’6” backstop, Greiner made it all the way to Toledo, where he made his Triple-A debut at the end of the season. In his time split between Lakeland, Erie and Toledo in 2016, the right-handed hitter posted a .293 batting average, 42 RBI, 34 runs scored, 15 doubles, seven home runs and three triples.

Greiner is more known for his defensive work than anything else, so the offensive production is extremely encouraging.

If the Detroit Tigers head into 2017 with John Hicks operating as James McCann’s primary deputy, then Greiner will suit up for the Tigers at some point as the third catcher. That was the role that Hicks played in 2016, as he saw action in a game for Detroit as a September call up.

Artie Lewicki

AFL Stats: Four appearances, 6.2 innings pitched, 11 this allowed and six runs (five earned) allowed. Struck out four while walking just one. Gave up one home run.

Will Lewicki Crack the Major League Roster in 2017?

Probably not, no. Lewicki posted impressive numbers for Lakeland and Erie (3.44 ERA, 77 strikeouts, 19 walks in 89 innings), however Detroit may not want to rush things.

Additionally, the team employs plenty of other options who could step up in the event of an injury or trade. These include Buck Farmer, Myles Jaye and Chad Bell.

Adam Ravenelle, Jeff Thompson and Spencer Turnbull

Adam Ravenelle

AFL Stats: Four appearances, four innings pitched, three strikeouts, three saves, one hit allowed, one walk allowed.

With the exception of Jones, Ravenelle has turned in perhaps the most encouraging display of Tigers prospects in the AFL. The Vanderbilt product could very well end up pitching out the back of Detroit’s bullpen someday, and his numbers this fall only back that up. The sample size is small, but it is positive nonetheless.

Will Ravenelle Crack the Major League Roster in 2017?

Potentially. The hard-throwing right-hander combines his blazing fastball with a solid change. Those pitches helped him reach Double-A Erie, where he continued his trend of striking out batters.

Ravenelle struck out 57 batters in 58 minor league innings last season, while allowing batters to hit just .220. His 33 walks are a slight concern, but if he can throw strikes, he could pitch for the Tigers next season.

His chances will only improve if Detroit moves on from some of the veteran relievers (Mark Lowe, Dustin Molleken and Warwick Saupold) on the team’s 40-man roster.

Jeff Thompson

AFL Stats: Four appearances, six innings pitched, five strikeouts, four hits allowed and two walks allowed. Gave up just one run.

Will Thompson Crack the Major League Roster in 2017?

Likely not. A third-round pick in 2013, Thompson has yet to advance beyond Lakeland. However, he showed well for the club in 2016, notching a 3.49 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 118.2 innings pitched. With a 3.75 career ERA in 290.1 minor league innings, Thompson simply needs to be challenged at a higher level.

That level probably isn’t the Major Leagues—at least not next season. Thompson could very well debut with the Tigers in 2018.

Spencer Turnbull

AFL Stats: Two appearances, two games started. Pitched six innings, allowed nine hits, five runs (four earned) and four walks. Recorded six strikeouts.

Long one of Detroit’s top starting pitching prospects, Turnbull was sidelined by injuries for much of last season. He ended up making 12 starts, totaling 44.1 innings pitched. Over the same span, he struck out 39 while holding batters to a .195 batting average and a 1.06 WHIP.

Will They Crack the Major League Roster in 2017?

The right-hander could still make an impact with the Detroit Tigers as a starter, but that likely isn’t going to happen next season. Even before the injury, Turnbull hadn’t progressed past Lakeland.

Next: Tigers Pitching Staff Has Extremely Promising Future

The fact that he turned in some solid innings for the affiliate in 2016 is encouraging, but 2018 or 2019 may be more realistic dates for the pitcher’s Major League debut.