Detroit Tigers Minor League Report: Week 6

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

It has been another busy week for moves throughout the Detroit Tigers organization as the club continues to search for the right mix of healthy arms.

For those not shuffling back-and-forth between the majors and the minors, pitching continues to dominate the system headlines. Two more Detroit Tigers minor leaguers claimed Pitcher of the Week Awards, making it three straight weeks someone from the system has been honored.

As always, let’s get this week started with the hottest team in the system.

Toledo Mud Hens

Toledo is red-hot, having won five in a row and 10 of their last 11. The Mud Hens 26-12 record remains the best in the International League.

Shuffling the Deck

Thanks to injuries and ineffectiveness, the Tigers have been sending guys back-and-forth between Detroit and Toledo a lot lately. This week, Louis Coleman and Zac Reininger both made their 2018 Tigers debuts.

Coleman had a 2.40 ERA and eight saves with Toledo prior to his promotion to the majors, his first since 2016 with the Dodgers. To make room for Coleman, the Tigers designated Chad Bell for assignment. A few days later, the Braves claimed Bell off of waivers.

Reininger was called up last week, but had not pitched for Detroit until appearing in last Saturday’s doubleheader against Seattle. When Reininger was sent back to Toledo, it was Artie Lewicki who took his place.

Ryan Carpenter had a busy week. He was called up to Detroit for Saturday’s doubleheader, sent down the next day, and rejoined the Tigers a few days later. The organizational leader in strikeouts, Carpenter started against Cleveland on Wednesday and got roughed up.

Stewart Leading the Offense

A four-hit game on April 24 was just what Christin Stewart needed to catch fire. Since then, Stewart has slashed .363/.402./813, raising his season line to .296/.374/.622.

The best power hitter in the system leads the International League with 11 homers, and is second in RBIs with 28. He had his first multi-homer game at the Triple-A level on Sunday, launching a pair against Louisville (Cincinnati). Toledo hit six long balls in that game, with Ronny Rodriguez also homering twice.

When Jeimer Candelario landed on the disabled list earlier in the week, Dawel Lugo was called up for the first time. It didn’t last long, however, and Lugo was sent back to Toledo before appearing in a game. Although he didn’t get a shot this time around, it won’t be long before the promising infielder makes his MLB debut.