Detroit Tigers Top 25 Prospects #5-#3: Jimenez, Funkhouser and Burrows

#4 Kyle Funkhouser
Age: 22
Position: Starting Pitcher
2016 Minor League Affiliate: Connecticut Tigers

Joe Jimenez could have very well ranked fourth thanks to his high ceiling.

However, the reality remains that if both reach their potential, Funkhouser will have more of an opportunity to make an impact considering he’s a starter.

A former first-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015, the right-hander fell to Detroit in the fourth-round of the 2016 draft.

Considering the Tigers had to surrender their second and third-round picks to sign Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Upton, the team did well to nab a promising talent in the fourth round.

A starting pitcher by trade, Funkhouser also mixes in a slider and a changeup to go along with his fastball.

The Louisville product is a few years away from being ready for the Majors, but he showed promise in his first professional action.

Over 13 starts (37.1 innings), Funkhouser pitched to a 2.65 ERA while striking out 34 batters. He only walked eight.

Obviously numbers in the low minors aren’t everything, but Funkhouser did well to miss bats and limit walks early.

Potential Future Role with the Detroit Tigers

From Matt Manning and Spencer Turnbull to Sandy Baez and Tyler Alexander, the Tigers have plenty of intriguing young arms coming through the ranks.

There will be plenty of competition for rotation spots in the future, as Justin Verlander, Fulmer, Boyd, Norris and Jordan Zimmermann also look set to stick around for the long haul.

However, expect to Funkhouser to eventually be in the mix.

A first-round talent, the right-hander could thrive in Detroit’s rotation.