Top prospect Franklin Perez makes 2018 debut

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 little more than half of the season is in the books for the Detroit Tigers and their full-season affiliates. With the club’s top prospect finally seeing action and several other key prospects promoted, it’s another jam-packed edition of the Minor League Report.

Toledo Mud Hens

A win Thursday night snapped a four-game skid for the Mud Hens, giving them a 3-4 week. Toledo’s record stands at 45-33 as they continue to hold down the top spot in the International League West.

Stumpf Continues Rehab

Since last week’s update, reliever Daniel Stumpf made three more rehab appearances for Toledo. The southpaw seems to be finding himself again, tossing three and two-thirds scoreless frames over those outings. Stumpf yielded just one hit, while striking out five.

In four total rehab appearances, Stumpf boasts a 1.93 ERA, and opponents are hitting .188 against him. The lefty has been pounding the strike zone, with six strikeouts, no walks, and nearly a 66 percent strike rate.

Four Hens Named All-Stars

The International League announced their roster for the 2018 Triple-A All-Star Game this week, with four Mud Hens position players named to the team. Christin Stewart leads the way, collecting a Mid-Season All-Star nod for the third straight season. The slugging outfielder tops the IL in homers with 15, and leads Toledo with 45 RBIs.

In between a couple of stints with the Tigers, Ronny Rodriguez has torn up the International League. Through 59 games, Rodriguez sports a .317 average, and is one of three Mud Hens in the top 10 for most hits in the league.

Jim Adduci’s 79 knocks gives him claim to another one of the top spots in the league in hits. The veteran boasts a .305 average, and sits third in the IL with 21 doubles.

Rounding out the Mud Hens All-Stars is Chad Huffman. In 52 games, Huffman’s slash line stands at .278/.388/.472. His .388 on-base percentage ranks third in the International League. The Triple-A All-Star game is set for July 11 in Columbus.

Stewart Goes Down

The same day he was named an International League All-Star, Christin Stewart was placed on the disabled list. The extent of the injury is unknown, but it is not expected to be serious. It will, however, likely keep him out of the Triple-A All-Star Game.

To replace Stewart on Toledo’s roster, the Detroit Tigers promoted outfielder Jake Robson. At the time of his promotion from Erie, Robson’s slash line sat at .286/.382/.450. He led the SeaWolves in hits, runs, doubles, walks, total bases, and steals.

Robson made his Triple-A debut Thursday night. The former Mississippi State Bulldog went 1-for-3 and stole a base. Not bad for a guy who the Tigers selected in the eighth round a little more than two years ago.