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Detroit Tigers: Houston Astros trade fits and hypothetical targets

By Ben Rosener

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 25: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Detroit Tigers receives high five from third base coach Dave Clark #25 qfter hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 25, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 25: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Detroit Tigers receives high five from third base coach Dave Clark #25 qfter hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 25, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – JULY 09: Derek Fisher #22 of the Houston Astros and the U.S. Team swings at a pitch against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JULY 09: Derek Fisher #22 of the Houston Astros and the U.S. Team swings at a pitch against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Derek Fisher

Age: 23
Position: Outfielder
Current minor league affiliate: Triple-A Fresno
2017 stat of note: .927 OPS with Triple-A

Power and speed, that’s what Derek Fisher brings to the game.

It’s that same power and speed that will help him make an impact in the Major Leagues.

At the plate, Fisher looks like the player that many envisioned JaCoby Jones to be in terms of blending pop and the ability to steal bases.

The outfielder has notched a .278 average, a .927 OPS and 42 extra-base hits and a .261 ISO in 346 plate appearances.

What’s more, Fisher has turned in a .393 wOBA and 14 stolen bases at the minors’ highest level.

In a brief five-game stint with Houston earlier this season, the 23-year-old showed well, collecting five hits, three RBI, three runs scored, three walks, two home runs and a stolen base in 21 plate appearances.

Detroit could slot him in as J.D. Martinez’ replacement in the outfield alongside Mikie Mahtook and Justin Upton.

The Tigers can always shift him to center field to accommodate for Christin Stewart in 2018.

Framber Valdez

Age: 23
Position: starter and reliever
Current minor league affiliate: Double-A Corpus Christi
2017 stat of note: 71.2 ground ball percentage with Corpus Christi

Having found success as a starter and reliever, Framber Valdez looks like a solid bet to make it to the Majors. Considering he’s already in Double-A, that could be sooner rather than later.

The 23-year-old’s heater can tough the mid-90s, and he mixes in a curveball and a changeup.

All told, the southpaw is striking out 10.4 batters per nine innings to go along with a 1.178 WHIP in 82.1 innings split between Advanced-A and Double-A.

Valdez also shows an excellent ability to induce grounders, with a 71.2 ground ball percentage for Corpus Christi after notching a 55.5% with Advanced-A.

It’s easy to imagine him slotting in as a either a starter or a lefty-reliever as part of Detroit’s future pitching staff alongside the likes of Beau Burrows, Kyle Funkhouser, Jairo Labourt and Joe Jimenez.

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