Detroit Tigers Minor League Report: Week 6

Erie SeaWolves

The SeaWolves continued to tread water this week, posting a 3-3 record. They now sit at 15-23 overall, and are in last place in the Eastern League Western Division.

A Pair of Dominant Righties

As I mentioned earlier, a pair of Detroit Tigers minor leaguers claimed Pitcher of the Week awards, making it three straight weeks a member of the system has been honored. Beau Burrows took home last week’s award, while fellow righty Spencer Turnbull made it two straight Eastern League Pitcher of the Week awards for Erie.

Turnbull has not given up a run in 11.0 innings of work over his last two starts. He allowed five hits while striking out 12 in those two outings. For the year, Turnbull owns a 4.11 ERA, and has fanned just more than a batter per inning. After a somewhat rocky start, he seems to be improving in what is a make-or-break year for his development.

Burrows built on last week’s award by turning in two more strong outings. He gave up one hit in five scoreless frames last Friday, then allowed one run over six on Wednesday.

The former first rounder has won four straight starts, and is 5-2 for the year. His five wins tie him with Toledo’s A.J. Ladwig for the most in the system. In 36.2 innings, Burrows owns a 2.21 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and opponents’ batting average of .206.

The Two Jakes

As we’ve covered a few times already, it’s been a rough 2018 offensively for top catching prospect Jake Rogers. Rogers picked up his first extra-base hit of the year on Monday, launching a home run as part of a three-hit night.

Rogers is still hitting just .173 for the campaign, but his hits have come in bunches. Of the 10 games he has a hit in, five of them have been multi-hit games, including a pair of three-hit efforts. Let’s hope finally getting that first homer out of the way helps Rogers’ bat wake up over the coming weeks.

Canadian outfielder Jake Robson is having a much better time at the plate these days. Robson had a four-hit game last Saturday, which tied his career-high. His .269 average is solid, but even when he doesn’t get a hit, he has a knack for getting on base.

Robson’s 21 walks are tied for the team lead with fellow outfielder Troy Montgomery. An eighth round pick in 2016, Robson has reached base in all 14 games he’s played at home this season. Overall, Robson has reached at least once in 12 straight games. During the streak, he’s hitting .295 with a .415 on-base percentage.