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Detroit Tigers: Five prospects who will make their debut in 2018

By Andy Patton

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 7: A general view of Comerica Park during the tribute to former owner Michael Ilitch during the opening day celebrations prior to that start of the game against the Boston Red Sox game on April 7, 2017 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 7: A general view of Comerica Park during the tribute to former owner Michael Ilitch during the opening day celebrations prior to that start of the game against the Boston Red Sox game on April 7, 2017 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT- SEPTEMBER 27: A general view of Tiger Stadium prior to the final baseball game played at the 87 year old Tiger Stadium as the Detroit Tigets host the Kansas City Royals on September 27, 1999 in Detroit, Michigan. There was 6,873 games played at the corner of Michigan and Trumbul streets. The Tigers won the game 8-2. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Gettyimages)
DETROIT- SEPTEMBER 27: A general view of Tiger Stadium prior to the final baseball game played at the 87 year old Tiger Stadium as the Detroit Tigets host the Kansas City Royals on September 27, 1999 in Detroit, Michigan. There was 6,873 games played at the corner of Michigan and Trumbul streets. The Tigers won the game 8-2. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Gettyimages) /

Grayson Long

Grayson Long was acquired at the August trade deadline from the Angels in exchange for slugger Justin Upton. The 6’5 right-hander went 8-6 with a 2.52 ERA and a 8.21 K/9 in 23 starts for the Angels Double-A affiliate in 2017. He only made one start for the Double-A Erie Seawolves after the trade, making him a somewhat unknown commodity for the Tigers.

Almost every projection has Long as an ‘‘innings eater’, meaning he will likely fill out the back end of a starting rotation. Although Long’s projection is as a number five starter at best, he seems very close to reaching that potential.

Long in 2018?

The Tigers will almost certainly start Long, their number 15th ranked prospect, in the Triple-A rotation. He is likely the number nine starter at the moment, behind Michael Fulmer, Jordan Zimmermann, Matt Boyd, Mike Fiers, Francisco Liriano, Daniel Norris, Buck Farmer and Ryan Carpenter. However, multiple injuries could push Long into the rotation sooner rather than later, especially if he is pitching well in Toledo.

One or more of Norris, Farmer and Carpenter could end up in the big league bullpen. That could make them unavailable to start on short notice, which in turn could bump Long up to the show. If the rotation is able to stay healthy, Long could still dawn the old English D as a September call-up.

The Tigers have no shortage of right-handed pitching prospects, but Long is the furthest along and could establish himself in the rotation before the likes of Franklin Perez, Alex Faedo, Matt Manning and Beau Burrows are ready to debut. While his ceiling is relatively low, Long seems like a good bet to find himself in a starting rotation sooner rather than later.

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