Detroit Tigers: Candidates for final 40-man roster spot

Internal Candidates Part 1: Pitching Prospects

Bryan Garcia

Outside of Jairo Labourt, Bryan Garcia may be the closest of the Detroit Tigers’ top pitching prospects to reach the Majors.

However, unlike Labourt, Garcia isn’t on the 40-man roster yet.

A sixth-round selection in 2016, Garcia has risen quickly in Detroit’s system, dominating at every level.

After notching a 3.14 ERA in 14.1 innings for Single-A West Michigan, the Miami product has allowed just two total earned runs in stops with Advanced-A Lakeland, Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo.

Overall, the right-hander owns a 1.32 ERA, a 0.965 WHIP and 14.2 strikeouts per nine frames in 47.2 innings.

The reliever has punched out 75 of the 184 batters he’s faced in 2017.

The Tigers probably don’t want to rush him, but it is going to be hard to ignore Garcia down the stretch if continues to dominate Triple-A hitters.

In six outings with the Mud Hens so far, Garcia has struck out nine in six innings compared to just three walks and three hits allowed.

Zac Reininger

Another hard-throwing right-hander, Reining hasn’t quite been as successful as Garcia this year, but he’s still been effective.

He’s pitched to a 2.55 ERA and 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings in 60 minor league frames, including a 1.17 ERA in 7.2 innings with Toledo.

The 2018 campaign may be a more likely arrival date for Reininger, but like Garcia, he could conceivably force the Tigers’ hand if he continues to pitch well.