
Honorable mention part one
Relief Pitcher Zac Houston
Current minor league affiliate: Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps
Houston throws three pitches, including a fastball that can touch the mid-90s. He’s so far dominated in the low minors with a career 1.49 ERA and 13.9 strikeouts per nine innings.
In 30.2 frames for Single-A West Michigan this season, the 22-year-old has struck out 44 batters against just 18 hits, 15 walks and nine earned runs in 30.2 innings.
That spits out to a 2.64 ERA, a 1.076 WHIP and 12.9 strikeouts per nine frames.
Utility player Dominic Ficociello
Current minor league affiliate: Double-A Erie SeaWolves
Dominic Ficociello enjoyed a solid Spring Training for the Detroit Tigers this past year, with a .773 OPS, 11 RBI, nine runs scored, four walks, four home runs and a double in 53 plate appearances.
Capable of playing of playing first base, second base, third base and the outfield corners, the 25-year-old is batting .288 with a .359 on-base percentage, 33 runs scored, 19 extra-base hits, 19 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 302 plate appearances for Double-A Erie.
If he can continue to hit, it isn’t hard to imagine him serving as a bench cog in the future as a utility option.