Detroit Tigers: Matt Manning Shines in Lakeland 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.

Things are heating up throughout the Detroit Tigers organization with just two months left in the minor league season. This week featured debuts at new levels, Eastern League All-Star announcements, and the organization’s seventh Pitcher of the Week. We’ll start with the suddenly slumping team a short drive down I-75 from the Motor City.

Toledo Mud Hens

A 2-5 week dropped the Mud Hens record to 47-38. Despite losing nine of their last 12, Toledo remains atop the International League West.

Injury-Related Moves

As the injuries continue to mount for the Detroit Tigers, so do the roster moves. The Tigers placed Leonys Martin and Shane Greene on the disabled list, recalling Mikie Mahtook and activating Daniel Stumpf from the DL to take those spots on the roster.

Stumpf pitched fairly well over five minor league rehab appearances with Toledo. He posted a 3.18 ERA in five and two-thirds innings, and struck out six. In his return on Tuesday, he was tagged with the loss.

Mahtook started the season as Detroit’s left fielder, and has been back-and-forth a few times already. He had been struggling at the plate for both clubs until hitting .283 with five homers for Toledo in June. With Martin out, Mahtook has slotted into the leadoff spot in the Tigers order.

Pair of All-Stars Promoted

Detroit made several other moves involving the Mud Hens. Warwick Saupold and Grayson Greiner were sent back down and replaced by a pair of International League All-Stars.

The first IL All-Star to earn a promotion was Jim Adduci. Adduci played in 29 games for the Tigers last year, slashing .241/.323/.398. Prior to this week, he’d spent the entire season in Toledo, where his .309 average and 22 doubles rank in the top-10 in the International League.

Defensively, he brings the ability to play both corner outfield spots and first base. Adduci also adds another much-needed left-handed bat to the lineup, for a team that is near the bottom of the league against right-handed pitching.

Ronny Rodriguez also rejoined the Tigers this week. Rodriguez has destroyed International League pitching in 2018 to the tune of a league-leading .338 average. His offensive numbers rank among the league’s best nearly across the board in the IL, but it’s been a different story in Detroit.

After collecting a pair of hits in his Major League debut on May 31, Rodriguez went hitless in his next 22 Major League at-bats. The 26-year old snapped out of his funk with three hits in his return Thursday, playing third to give Jeimer Candelario a night off.

With Dixon Machado designated for assignment, Rodriguez will have the opportunity to challenge for playing time at second base. If his Triple-A numbers can translate to the majors, he may just earn the every day job.

VerHagen on the Mend

The latest Detroit Tigers pitcher to head out on a rehab assignment to Toledo is Drew VerHagen. VerHagen hit the disabled list a few weeks ago after breaking his nose in Cincinnati.

The righty started with a pair of solid appearances for the Mud Hens, working two and a third scoreless frames. He added four strikeouts, and walked a pair. Thursday was a mixed bag for VerHagen. He tossed a pair of innings, yielded two runs on three hits, but fanned five.

VerHagen’s numbers with Detroit haven’t been pretty in 2018. After five straight scoreless appearances in April, he allowed at least one run in seven of his last eight outings for the Tigers. With that said, there’s no need to rush him back into an already struggling bullpen.

Cervenka Continues Domination

Recent signing Hunter Cervenka continues to dominate in the minor leagues. Following five and two-thirds scoreless frames with Erie, Cervenka made the jump to Toledo.

Despite the new scenery, the results remain excellent. Through four outings with the Mud Hens, the lefty has fanned eight, while allowing one hit over three and two-thirds innings.

The former Marlin would be a welcome addition to a Detroit bullpen which has been searching for a reliable lefty for awhile. However, a blow came to his chances when the Tigers added righty Victor Alcantara to the 40-man roster in order to call him up. Alcantara took the spot vacated when Dixon Machado was designated for assignment. Now someone else will have to lose their spot on the 40-man for Cervenka to get his chance in the Motor City.