Detroit Tigers: Current Toledo Mud Hens who could make an impact

Detroit Tigers Triple-A affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens, currently field a number of players who could make an impact in the Major Leagues this season. Here’s a look at said players.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila improved the team’s overall depth in the offseason, bringing in a number of players who could contribute if need be.

A number of those players have seen time in Triple-A, and have mixed with Detroit’s incumbent options to give the team some much-improved depth.

That depth has been key early, as outfielder Jim Adduci (0.7 WAR, 143 wRC+ and a .381 wOBA) John Hicks (0.4 WAR, seven RBI, six runs scored and four extra-base hits in seven games)

On the pitching side of things, relievers Blaine Hardy (3.46 SIERA, 8.18 strikeouts per nine innings) and Chad Bell (zero runs allowed in his first 6.2 Major League frames) have both provided the Tigers with quality innings.

As the season progresses, Detroit will have to rely on the team’s minor league depth more. Injuries and inconsistency are commonplace in a Major League Baseball season.

Here are some current Toledo Mud Hens who could make an impact with the Detroit Tigers during the 2017 regular season.

Jason Krizan
Age: 27
Positions: Left Field, Right Field, Second Base, First Base
Hits: Left-Handed

While not a traditional prospect anymore given the fact that he’s 27, that hasn’t stopped Jason Krizan from tearing it up at the plate.

The former eighth-round pick began the year with Double-A Erie, batting .393 with a .455 on-base percentage, a .679 slugging percentage and a 1.133 OPS in 14 games. He also added 14 RBI, 10 runs scored, eight walks, four home runs, four doubles and two stolen bases.

Krizan has continued to rake in Triple-A, batting .346 with a .400 on-base percentage and a .475 slugging percentage in 17 games.

What’s more, the utility player has chipped in with nine runs scored, seven RBI, five walks, two doubles, a triple and a home run.

His ability to play across the diamond would certainly help off the bench, potentially giving Brad Ausmus even more flexibility late in games.

JaCoby Jones
Age: 25
Position: Center Field
Hits: Right-Handed

JaCoby Jones struggled early in the season with the Detroit Tigers, batting just .150 with a .244 wOBA and a 48 wRC+.

However, despite that, he logged a 0.2 WAR in large part due to his plus defense and base running.

Part of Jones struggles is due to the fact that he logged a 42.2 strikeout percentage with the Tigers. He’s cut that number in half with the Mud Hens, posting a 21.1 stat in the category.

What’s more, the top prospect has come alive at the plate. Jones is hitting .273 with a .351 on-base percentage, a 132 wRC+ and an .821 OPS.

To top it off, the center fielder has added 13 runs scored, 10 RBI, four doubles, three home runs and three stolen bases in 76 plate appearances.

If he can sustain that production, Jones will be back with the Tigers before too long.

Buck Farmer
Age: 26
Position: Starting Pitcher
Throws: Right-Handed

Already on Detroit’s 40-man roster, Buck Farmer could provide the team with a spot start or two if the need arises.

The right-hander seems to be figuring things out in Triple-A, with 47 strikeouts compared to just nine walks in 48.2 frames. Farmer has also logged a 3.51 ERA in eight starts.

If he doesn’t work as a starter, it is possible the right-hander could work in a similar role to Bell as a long-relief arm.

Bruce Rondon
Age: 26
Position: Relief Pitcher
Throws: Right-Handed

A mainstay in the Detroit Tigers’ bullpen down the stretch last season, Rondon struggled initially in 2017. He surrendered six runs, four hits and three walks in just 1.1 innings.

All told, that spits out to a 40.50 ERA.

The flame-throwing reliever has found success in Toledo, notching a 0.82 ERA and 12 punch outs in 11 innings. His nine walks over the same span are somewhat concerning, but it is good to see Rondon missing bats and posting zeroes again.

If he can pitch like the Bruce Rondon who thrived in 2016 (11.15 strikeouts per nine innings, 0.963 WHIP and a 2.95 SIERA), Detroit’s bullpen will be in excellent shape.

Victor Alcantara
Age: 24
Position: Relief Pitcher
Throws: Right-Handed

The prospect acquired from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Cameron Maybin, Victor Alcantara hit the ground running in 2017.

A hard-throwing former starter, Alcantara moved to the bullpen full-time this season and found considerable success.

In 23 innings for Double-A Erie, the right-hander punched out 19 batters. He also is the proud owner of an excellent 1.96 ERA.

Alcantara’s 23 innings have come over the course of 11 appearances, so there’s potential for him to throw multiple frames per outing on a consistent basis.

That kind of reliever would certainly help Detroit’s bullpen fresh over the course of a season.

Alcantara was just promoted and hasn’t thrown a pitch yet for Toledo, but if he can miss bats and limit runs like he did in the Eastern League, he’ll have a chance to make an impact.

Daniel Stumpf
Age: 26
Position: Relief Pitcher
Throws: Left-Handed

If Justin Wilson continues to close games, the Detroit Tigers will need another left-handed relief option to pitch before the ninth.

With Chad Bell better suited for long relief and Kyle Ryan struggling, that left-handed relief option could be Daniel Stumpf.

The former Rule 5 draft pick has pitched to a 1.159 WHIP and a 3.07 ERA in 18 appearances (14.2 innings) for Toledo. He also has 17 strikeouts compared to just five walks.