Detroit Tigers Minor League Report: Week 2

Lakeland Flying Tigers

The Flying Tigers are having an even tougher time than Erie right now, having dropped five straight.

We’ll start with last year’s first rounder, Alex Faedo. Faedo made his third career start on Wednesday, and ran into his first bit of trouble. In six innings, the righty gave up four runs, three of which were earned, and seven hits.

Despite getting hit around a bit by Jupiter (Miami), Faedo continued to pound the strike zone. He struck out six and walked one, while throwing more than 70 percent strikes for the third straight start. For reference, Chris Sale and Clayton Kershaw led the majors with a 68.2 strike percentage last year.

In three starts, Faedo has now struck out 15 and walked just one in 16.1 innings. Despite the seven hits surrendered Wednesday, opponents are hitting .190 against him.

Elsewhere among starters, Venezuelan righty Anthony Castro has yet to give up a run in two starts. Castro tossed seven shutout innings last Friday, allowing four hits while striking out six.

In 2017, Castro posted a 2.49 ERA in 21 starts for West Michigan. So far, it appears the 23-year old is picking up right where he left off.

The Offense

Local product Blaise Salter has led Lakeland’s offensive attack thus far. The Detroit Tigers drafted him twice, first out of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in 2011, and then again in 2015, after his senior year at Michigan State.

Their persistence has paid off, as all Salter has done in the minors is hit. Between West Michigan and Lakeland last year, he hit .304 with 39 doubles and 75 RBIs.

So far this year, Salter is hitting .327, and has multiple hits in five of 13 games. He currently leads the Flying Tigers in hits, doubles, and RBIs.

Daz Cameron is off to a so-so start at the plate, hitting .234. His defense, however, is already giving fans flashbacks to his father, three-time Gold Glove winner Mike Cameron.