Detroit Tigers top 20 prospects following 2017 MLB Draft

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Mar 4, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Jairo Labourt (63) throws a pitch during the fifth inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

#11 Relief pitcher Jairo Labourt

Current minor league affiliate: Double-A Erie SeaWolves

We continue our Erie SeaWolves relief pitchers section of the article with Jairo Labourt, who may reach the Majors before Moreno and Garcia.

The third pitcher acquired in the David Price swap alongside Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd, Labourt initially struggled as a starting pitcher in Detroit’s system.

However, he’s been excellent since making the switch to the bullpen full-time this season. In 41 combined innings between Lakeland and Erie, Labourt owns a 1.76 ERA and 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

Additionally, he’s only surrendered 2.0 walks per nine innings after walking 7.2 per nine innings in 87.1 frames for Lakeland last season.

Labourt currently sports a 2.30 ERA for the SeaWolves, with 32 strikeouts in 27.1 innings of work.

#10 center fielder Derek Hill

Current minor league affiliate: Rehabbing with Gulf Coast League Tigers West

Down the line, Derek Hill may surpass JaCoby Jones and Mikie Mahtook as the Detroit Tigers’ starting center fielder.

Arguably the team’s best center field prospect since Austin Jackson, Hill is simply put, a speed merchant.

A strong defender as well, injuries have slowed Hill to this point, but the 21-year-old is back in action after missing the first few months of the season.

He’s logged nine at-bats with one of Detroit’s Gulf Coast League teams, where he’s already putting his speed to use with three stolen bases, two runs scored, two walks, a hit and an RBI in three games.

It’s early, but if Hill can get back on track, he has an extremely-high ceiling.

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