Detroit Tigers: Spencer Turnbull, Jake Rogers highlight week

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.

A major injury sent shockwaves throughout the Detroit Tigers organization this week. What effects will it have on the minor leagues going forward, and who snared the system’s sixth Pitcher of the Week award? We’ve got all that covered and more in this week’s edition of the Detroit Tigers Minor League Report.

Toledo Mud Hens

The Mud Hens slipped to 39-26 after a 2-5 week. Despite a slow week by their standards, Toledo still owns the best record in the International League.

The Miggy Effect

Detroit suffered a major injury this week, losing Miguel Cabrera for the remainder of the season. As a result, John Hicks will get the majority of playing time at first base, opening up the backup catcher position for Grayson Greiner.

The Tigers recalled Greiner prior to the Cabrera injury, with James McCann battling the flu earlier in the week. The injury to Cabrera, however, presumably will keep Greiner in the majors for the foreseeable future. Greiner made his MLB debut earlier this season, and hit .267 in nine games as McCann’s backup.

To replace Greiner in Toledo, the Tigers promoted Kade Scivicque from Erie. Scivicque finished his time with the SeaWolves with back-to-back multi-hit games, raising his average to .294. He has struggled in his time with the Mud Hens this year, slashing .180/.250/.296 in 15 games.

The Re-Turner

Last week, the Detroit Tigers re-signed former first rounder Jacob Turner, following his release from the Marlins organization. Turner made his first appearance since rejoining the organization Monday night.

Turner started and pitched very well, tossing three scoreless innings. He surrendered just one hit, struck out four, and walked two.

At 27, Turner is not the prospect he once was, but with all the injuries the Tigers have suffered this year, they’ll take all the healthy, competent arms they can get.

Lugo Continues to Rake

With Christin Stewart and others piling up big offensive numbers, Dawel Lugo has been flying a little under the radar. Lugo notched nine hits in 22 at-bats this week, raising his average to .283. The week included three more multi-hit games, giving him 20 for the season.

Lugo leads the International League in at-bats, and is in the top five in hits. His batting average hasn’t dipped below .260 since the opening week of the season. While Ronny Rodriguez earned the promotion when the Tigers placed Miguel Cabrera on the DL, it shouldn’t be long before the highly touted infielder makes his Motor City debut.