Detroit Tigers: Top prospects to play at Triple-A Toledo in 2017

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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 16: Third baseman Jeimer Candelario #46 of the Detroit Tigers bare hands a grounder hit by Yoan Moncada of the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning but is too late to throw him out at first base at Comerica Park on September 16, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers fans will see a number of prospects move into the Major League roster in the coming seasons. Here’s a look at the closest to the Majors.

Detroit Tigers players like Jeimer Candelario, Joe Jimenez, JaCoby Jones, Dixon Machado, Jairo Labourt, Victor Alcantara, Zac Reininger and Daniel Stumpf all made their first significant contributions in the Majors last season.

The group represented a much-needed wave of younger reinforcements for a Detroit franchise that desperately needed it.

More reinforcements from the minor leagues are expected in the coming seasons.

By 2019 at the latest, the likes of Franklin Perez, Beau Burrows, Christin Stewart, Kyle Funkhouser, Grayson Long, Dawel Lugo, Matt Hall, Gerson Moreno and Adam Ravenelle could all be in the Majors.

However, the vast majority of those players ended the season with Double-A Erie.

The only exception was Funkhouser, who was limited to 12 starts, but likely would have been with the SeaWolves at some point after turning in a 1.72 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP and 34 strikeouts compared to just six walks in 31.1 innings for Advanced-A Lakeland.

Closer to the Majors

It’s realistic to expect many of the aforementioned group to be with Toledo at some point in 2018. That being said, they’ll need to find success with the Mud Hens before making the jump to the Majors.

While that group continues to develop, the Detroit Tigers next wave of younger reinforcements will likely come from Triple-A.

Excluding those who debuted in the Majors and in no particular order, here are the top Tigers prospects who suited up for Toledo last season.

Some or all of them could be with Detroit at some point in 2018.

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 17: A detail of a Tiger statue sculpture on the tadium prior to the Detroit Tigers hosting the New York Yankees during game four of the American League Championship Series at Comerica Park on October 17, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Mike Gerber

Along with Stewart, Gerber is one of the few position player prospects in the system who should make an impact sooner rather than later.

The former 15^th-round pick has done nothing but produce since being drafted in 2014, hitting his way towards a call up.

That call up could come soon for the 25-year-old.

Detroit currently has a need in center field, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gerber, who is also a capable defender, break camp with the team and platoon with Jones.

At this point, it would probably be better long-term to give the at-bats to someone like Gerber now than to run out veterans like Alex Presley or Tyler Collins on a daily basis.

The Creighton product notched 20 plate appearances with Toledo after spending the bulk of the year with Erie.

He recorded eight hits, three runs scored two doubles, two RBI, two walks and a triple.

Paul Voelker

One of the many hard-throwing, one-inning relievers in Detroit’s system, Voelker pitched at three different levels in 2017, including three innings with the Mud Hens.

Overall, he turned in a 2.00 ERA, 1.056 WHIP and 40 strikeouts in 36 innings.

With an unsettled bullpen filled with uncertainties, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Voelker in the Majors by May or June if not sooner.

DETROIT, MI – APRIL 7: A general view of Comerica Park prior to the start of the opening day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers on April 7, 2017 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Bryan Garcia

A sixth-round pick in 2016, Bryan Garcia made quick work of hitters at Single-A West Michigan, Advanced-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie before ending 2017 with Toledo.

He struck out 27 of the 59 batters he faced with the Whitecaps, allowing just 12 hits, five earned runs and four walks in 14.1 innings pitched.

The hard throwing right-hander then proceeded to Lakeland, where he didn’t allow a run in 8.2 innings before jumping to Erie.

In 18.2 frames with the SeaWolves, Garcia allowed just the two earned runs while striking out 24.

His stats with Toledo weren’t as impressive (13.1 innings, 12 strikeouts, eight walks, six earned runs, one home run), but the reliever continued to miss bats.

This is all purely speculative, but Garcia could very well be on the Opening Day roster with an impressive Spring Training.

Grayson Greiner

Another player who joined Toledo later in the year, Greiner notched just 17 plate appearances with the Mud Hens.

Despite the lack of Triple-A experience, he seems like the obvious to step in as Detroit’s third catcher now that John Hicks has replaced Alex Avila as an occasional compliment and deputy to James McCann

Kody Eaves

If Jose Iglesias and Ian Kinsler are both traded this offseason, the Tigers should give Eaves a shot to win a job with the team in Spring Training.

Capable of playing both second base and third base, Eaves has mashed to the tune of a .200 ISO in each of the last two campaigns with Double-A Erie.

There will obviously be a step up in competition, but potential middle infielders with power don’t exactly grow on trees.

Next: For a number of reasons, the Tigers should sign Danny Valencia

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