Honorable mention part two
Catchers Sam McMillan and Joey Morgan
To this point, McMillan hasn’t played in the minors and Morgan has logged just seven at-bats for Connecticut, but the potential is there for both 2017 draftees.
Both have the potential to be two-way catchers down the line.
Relief pitcher Victor Alcantara
Current minor league affiliate: Double-A Erie SeaWolves
Like many relievers in Detroit’s minor league system, Alcantara throws hard and utilizes a solid slider.
The former Anaheim farmhand began the year in Double-A, notching a 1.80 ERA, 21 punch outs and a 1.28 WHIP in 25 innings.
He moved up the ladder to Toledo, where he has 15 strikeouts in 16 innings of work. However, Alcantara also struggled, allowing 18 hits, nine walks and nine earned runs.
He’s back in Erie, but he could be in the Majors in the near future if he can figure things out in the minors.
Starting pitcher Spencer Turnbull
Current minor league affiliate: Gulf Coast League Tigers West (on rehab assignment from Advanced-A Lakeland Flying Tigers
Once one of Detroit’s top starting pitching prospects, Turnbull has been setback by injuries as of late. Still, there’s potential to be found with the 24-year-old.
Armed with a solid fastball as well as a slider, curveball and changeup, Turnbull could eventually be pitching in Detroit’s rotation.
He has a 4.03 ERA, 33 strikeouts and a .253 batting average against in 44.2 frames for Lakeland this year.