Detroit Tigers Minor League Report: Week 1

The Detroit Tigers are in rebuilding mode. “Future Friday” is a segment where we examine the bevy of prospects in Detroit and their future impact in the Motor City.

In last week’s minor league preview, we took a look at players to watch at each level of the Detroit Tigers system. As the season rolls on, we’ll examine how players are doing as they try to climb the organization ladder.

Toledo Mud Hens

Toledo has started their 2018 season 5-2, thanks in large part to some hot bats. Through seven games, the Mud Hens are hitting .281 as a team.

Edwin Espinal is 9-for-20 and hit a homer off the scoreboard in the Mud Hens home opener Thursday.

Dawel Lugo is raking in his first taste of Triple-A. The top infield prospect has at least one hit in all seven games, and two hits in five of them.

Two different Mud Hens were within one hit of the cycle this week. On Opening Day, Mike Gerber was a triple shy, and on Tuesday, Jim Adduci was a double short. Adduci played in 29 games for the Detroit Tigers last year, while Gerber is likely to make his MLB debut in 2018.

Jason Krizan had the biggest game of them all. On Monday, Krizan had four hits, including a pair of homers, and drove in six.

The Mud Hens also welcomed Mikie Mahtook this week, as he was sent down after Wednesday’s game against Cleveland. Lefty Chad Bell was called up to take his place on the Detroit Tigers 25-man roster.

Bell gave up a run on two hits with five strikeouts in his lone start for Toledo. Andy Patton wrote earlier in the week that this is the right move for both Bell and the Tigers.