Detroit Tigers Top prospects off to strong starts in 2017

Feb 27, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Mike Gerber (75) signs autographs before a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Mike Gerber (75) signs autographs before a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers
Feb 27, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Mike Gerber (75) signs autographs before a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Gerber
Age: 24
Position: Center Fielder (can play all three outfield spots)
Affiliate: Double-A Erie
2017 Stat of Note: .386 on-base percentage

Stewart’s teammate with Double-A Erie, Mike Gerber continues to fill up the stat sheet.

A career .290 hitter in the minors, the outfielder is batting .317 with an .872 OPS this season. per usual, he is contributing across the board.

In 152 plate appearances, the center fielder has chipped in with 24 runs scored, 17 RBI, 11 doubles, 11 walks, five home runs and five stolen bases.

It probably wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Gerber and Stewart step in for Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez over the long haul.

Kyle Funkhouser
Age: 23
Position: Starting Pitcher
Affiliate: Single-A West Michigan
2017 Stat of Note: 14.6 strikeouts per nine innings

A former first-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kyle Funkhouser continues to post encouraging numbers.

Stats in the minor leagues aren’t everything, but the starter has missed plenty of bats, with 51 punch outs in 25.1 innings pitched. He’s only walked 10 over the same span, showing promising control.

If he can continue to miss bats, Funkhouser will eventually be pitching out of Detroit’s rotation alongside the likes of Michael Fulmer, Matt Boyd and Daniel Norris.