Detroit Tigers: Midseason Top 30 Prospects

30. Alvaro Gonzalez, SS

Highest: 23 Lowest: 30

Age: 17

Level: R

Stats: .233/.357/.364 in 37 games

Gonzalez was Detroit’s prize in the 2016-2017 international recruiting class. A 17-year-old shortstop, Gonzalez is very undersized at six-foot and 165 pounds. However, if he fills out he has the potential to tap into some power. The speed is already there, and scouts are cautiously optimistic that he can stick at shortstop long-term. At 17 and with just 37 professional games under his belt, it’s hard to make too many grand predictions for Gonzalez yet.

29. Zac Houston, RHP

Highest: 15 Lowest: UR

Age: 23

Level: AA/AAA

Stats: 1.77 ERA, 16.38 K/9 in 20.1 innings at Triple-A

Houston was an 11th round pick by the Tigers back in 2016. Since then he has posted absolutely electric strikeout numbers throughout the minors. That includes 62 strikeouts in 37.2 innings this season, with a 0.95 WHIP and a 2.15 ERA. Houston is strictly a reliever, but he could find himself in Detroit’s bullpen sooner rather than later. – AP

28. Troy Montgomery, OF

Highest: 21 Lowest: UR

Age: 23

Level: A+/AA

Stats: .227/.346/.287 with seven steals at AA

Montgomery originally came to Detroit in the Ian Kinsler trade over the offseason. He has split his first year with the Tigers between High-A and Double-A. He has excellent plate discipline, but his .227 average and complete lack of power (0 home runs) certainly dim his prospect star going forward.

27. Kody Clemens, 2B

Highest: 24 Lowest: 28

Age: 22

Level: A

Stats: .250/.375/.403 in 20 games

Roger Clemens‘ son, second baseman Kody Clemens, was Detroit’s third round pick in 2018. He’s only played in a handful of games for the Tigers, but his burgeoning power and quick development defensively at the keystone are promising signs. He already looks like a prime contender to be Detroit’s future starter at second base, and has the potential to provide 15-20 home runs per season in his prime.

26. Joey Morgan, C

Highest: 23 Lowest: 28

Age: 21

Level: A

Stats: .234/.331/.332 in 63 games at A-ball

Morgan holds a strong defensive reputation with an above average arm. There are some question marks around the bat at the professional level. His power tool is average at bat, but there is some thought he could make enough contact to be an every day player. If not, a defense first backup catcher role seems perfect for him. – SF

25. Jose de la Cruz, OF

Highest: 17 Lowest: UR

Age: 16

Level: N/A

Stats: N/A

The Tigers signed de la Cruz on the first day of the 2018 J-2 signing period. Considered to have the most raw power in his class, de la Cruz has plus tools across the board, highlighted by a strong arm. Currently a center fielder, it is possible he could move to left or right as he continues to mature physically. Not yet 17, de la Cruz has the tools to move up prospect boards once he comes stateside. – SF

24. Derek Hill, OF

Highest: 18 Lowest: 27

Age: 22

Level: A+

Stats: .222/.285/.298 with 22 stolen bases

Detroit’s first round pick in 2014, Hill entered a make-or-break season with the Tigers in 2018. He has not stepped up, slashing just .222/.285/.298 at High-A ball. He’s still just 22, but with a career-high 29.5% strikeout rate it’s beginning to look like Hill may not even reach the big leagues. Daz Cameron, Parker Meadows, Jake Robson and Kingston Liniak are all outfield prospects who are higher than him on Detroit’s priority list, and unless Hill has a monster second half it’s hard to envision him being a big part of Detroit’s future.

23. Sandy Baez, RHP

Highest: 17 Lowest: UR

Age: 24

Level: AA/Majors

Stats: 5.15 ERA, 7.14 K/9 in 85.2 innings at Double-A

Recently moved to the bullpen, Baez figures to make short work of the rest of the minor leagues. After having trouble making it deep into games, the Tigers have moved his electric fastball and plus changeup with the hopes they play up in short stints. With one appearance already for Detroit in 2018, it may not be long before Baez is back in the Old English D. – SF

22. Spencer Turnbull, RHP

Highest: 17 Lowest: 26

Age: 25

Level: AA

Stats: 4.24 ERA (2.45 FIP), 10.46 K/9 in 13 starts at Double-A

Drafted one round later than Hill, Turnbull was another prospect entering a make-or-break season. Unlike Hill, Turnbull has really answered the call. His 4.24 ERA at Double-A isn’t great, but it comes with a much more palatable 2.44 FIP. Additionally, his 10.46 K/9 is exceptional, especially as a starter. His big league path still likely involves transitioning to the bullpen, where his fastball/slider combo will play nicely. But his nice season this year keeps him on Detroit’s radar, even amidst a system flush with right-handed pitching.

21. Mike Gerber, OF

Highest: 15 Lowest: UR

Age: 26

Level: AAA

Stats: .214/.270/.415 with 12 home runs in 62 games at Triple-A

A 2014 15th rounder out of Creighton, Gerber reached the big leagues early in 2018. Strikeouts have been an issue this season, but Gerber has the versatility to play all three outfield positions. With a future as a fourth outfielder, we could see Gerber in Detroit again before the close of the 2018 season. – SF

20. Bryan Garcia, RHP

Highest: 16 Lowest: 30

Age: 23

Level: N/A

Stats: N/A

Missing all of 2018 due to Tommy John surgery, Garcia has the pedigree and makeup to move quickly back through the system once he is healthy. Drafted out of the University of Miami as a closer, Garcia holds three plus pitches, and made it all the way to Toledo in 2017, his first full season. While Joe Jimenez may be the closer of the future, Garcia could provide the Tigers a strong setup option and a plan b should Jimenez not work out. – SF

19. Grayson Long, RHP

Highest: 18 Lowest: 25

Age: 24

Level: N/A

Stats: N/A

Long has not played this season after undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome in May. He still profiles as back of the rotation starter, although his timeline is significantly altered by this injury. The former third-round pick was Detroit’s primary return for Justin Upton. He had a 2.52 ERA and an 8.21 K/9 in 23 starts at Double-A last season, and is still relatively young at 24.

18. Rey Rivera, 1B

Highest: 16 Lowest: 22

Age: 21

Level: A

Stats: .265/.335/.462 with 8 home runs in 78 games at A-ball

Fans were shocked and apprehensive when the Tigers made little-known Rey Rivera a second-round pick in 2017. He did little to ease that concern following his selection, hitting just .187 in 52 games in short-season ball.

However, 2018 has been a different story for the slugging first baseman, who is slashing .265/.335/.462 with eight home runs in 78 games at Single-A. He’s a big (6’6, 250) left-handed hitter with a ton of power, and could emerge as Detroit’s first baseman of the future if he can keep his strikeouts down.

17. Sergio Alcantara, SS

Highest: 13 Lowest: 23

Age: 22

Level: AA

Stats: .291/.350/.355 with eight stolen bases in 86 games at Double-A

Alcantara, acquired in the J.D. Martinez trade last summer, is an elite fielding shortstop prospect. In fact, he’s Detroit’s most shortstop-ready prospect, profiling as a glove-first, light hitting shortstop (a la Jose Iglesias). His bat has started to come around, with a solid .291/.350/.355 line and eight steals. He’ll need to develop at least a tiny bit of power (0 home runs this season) but he is Detroit’s best pure SS prospect.

16. Matt Hall, LHP

Highest: 16 Lowest: 20

Age: 24

Level: AA/AAA

Stats: 1.58 ERA, 12.00 K/9 in 57 innings at Double-A

24-year-old left-hander Matt Hall just received a promotion to Triple-A after an outstanding run in Erie’s bullpen. Hall posted a 1.58 ERA with a 12.00 K/9 in 57 innings, making 27 appearances – 23 out of the bullpen and four starts.

He will probably end up as a bullpen piece in the big leagues, where his 60-grade changeup will play up well in a middle relief role.

15. Jake Robson, OF

Highest: 14 Lowest: 22

Age: 23

Level: AA/AAA

Stats: .286/.382/.450 with seven home runs at Double-A, .416 in 20 games at AAA

Robson, a 2016 eighth round pick, has taken a massive leap forward this season between Erie and Toledo. So far in 85 games split between the two teams, Robson has hit 10 home runs and stolen 14 bases. He has a lot of talented outfielders in front of him, but Robson’s hot 2018 season could give him a chance to strut his stuff at the big league level sooner rather than later.

14. Sam McMillan, C

Highest: 14 Lowest: 19

Age: 19

Level: A-

Stats: .196/.327/.283 with five steals in 26 games at short-season A

The Tigers signed McMillan away from a commitment to Florida after drafting him in the fifth round in 2017. McMillan is a good defensive catcher with a plus arm. His average power could improve as he matures, but there is a possibility McMillan will always be more contact than power. With an advanced approach and solid receiving, McMillan could take less time to develop than the average high school catcher. – SF

13. Gregory Soto, LHP

Highest: 11 Lowest: 20

Age: 23

Level: A+

Stats: 4.68 ERA, 9.94 K/9 in 17 starts at High-A

An international free agent signed in 2012, Soto broke through in 2017. Unfortunately, command has been an issue, walking nearly seven batters per 9 innings. Soto could be a rotation arm with continued development of off-speed pitches and better control. He has the floor of a power bullpen arm. – SF

12. Dawel Lugo, 2B

Highest: 12 Lowest: 13

Age: 23

Level: AAA

Stats: .264/.276/.349 with 9 stolen bases at Triple-A

Lugo was named to the Future’s Game, a great accomplishment for what has been a fine, but not overwhelming, season. Lugo has seen plenty of time at both second and third base in Toledo, although his best chance of having an impact in Detroit is at second base. His inability to draw a walk (1.9% walk rate) is stunting his development, and at this point he looks more like a utility infielder than a big league starter.

11. Parker Meadows, OF

Highest: 10 Lowest: 12

Age: 18

Level: R

Stats: .238/.304/.381 in seven games in rookie ball

Meadows was Detroit’s second round pick in the 2018 MLB draft. A toolsy centerfield prospect, he is the younger brother of Pittsburgh’s Austin Meadows. A more accurate look at Meadow’s profile will be known after he has some more professional experience under his belt, but the 18-year-old has the potential to be an impact outfielder for the Tigers.

10. Isaac Paredes

Highest: 8 Lowest: 11

Age: 19

Level: A+/AA

Stats: .259/.338/.455 with 12 home runs at High-A

Paredes has developed into a star this season, blasting a career-high 12 home runs and posting very stellar plate discipline numbers, with a 9.2% walk rate and a 15.6% strikeout rate. One of the youngest players in AA, Paredes has gone 5-for-11 with three walks already at that level.

At just 19 years old, Paredes is looking like a future star in the Motor City. Most scouts expect him to be pushed off shortstop, likely occupying second base in the future. A middle infield with Paredes and Alcantara up the middle is looking like an appealing future for the Tigers.

9. Jake Rogers

Highest: 8 Lowest: 11

Age: 23

Level: AA

Stats: .204/.303/.376 with 11 home runs and six stolen bases at Double-A

Rogers has been a disappointment at the plate this season, hitting just .204 with an ugly 28.7% strikeout rate at Double-A. However, his 11.1% walk rate is very stellar, and his 11 home runs and six stolen bases are helping make up for the strikeouts.

Plus, he’s still one of, if not the best, defensive catcher in the minor leagues. As such, he still profiles to be a defense-first starting catcher in the major leagues. If he can provide 12-15 home runs per season, he will be an above-average big league regular.

8. Kyle Funkhouser

Highest: 7 Lowest: 9

Age: 24

Level: AA

Stats: 3.74 ERA, 9.00 K/9, 17 games started

Funkhouser absolutely dominated at Double-A this season, earning himself a call-up to Triple-A. The right-hander has a nice three-pitch mix with his fastball, slider and changeup, and should stick as a starter. He’ll need to work on his command, with a 3.94 BB/9 at Erie and already 10 walks in 8.2 innings at Triple-A. If he can learn to command the strike zone, a future as a big-league No. 3 starter is not out of the cards.

7. Beau Burrows

Highest: 6 Lowest: 7

Age: 21

Level: AA

Stats: 3.99 ERA, 7.99 K/9 in 18 games started

Detroit’s first-round pick in 2015, Burrows has shown flashes of brilliance at Double-A this season. His 3.99 ERA is okay, although his 4.41 FIP is concerning, as is his 7.99 K/9, a drop from last season. He’ll need to strike more hitters out, and get more ground balls (29.9% rate) if he wants to make the leap up to Triple-A. However, his 60-grade fastball and plus changeup should still help him carve out a role as a big league starter.

6. Christin Stewart

Highest: 5 Lowest: 7

Age: 24

Level: AAA

Stats: .255/.338/.474 with 16 home runs

Stewart was scorching hot to start the season, but an injury has slowed him down in the last month or so. Still, he’s on pace to eclipse 28 home runs for the third consecutive season, and looks every bit the power-hitting corner outfielder the Tigers are hoping he can be.

Defense is still a question, but Stewart’s raw power should make his defensive inadequacies more palatable if he’s stuck out in left field. Don’t be surprised to see him hitting home runs at Comerica Park come September.

5. Daz Cameron

Highest: 5 Lowest: 8

Age: 21

Level: A+/AA

Stats: 8 home runs, 18 stolen bases split between High-A and Double-A

The 21-year-old Cameron has made a killing every since getting promoted to Double-A Erie. In 32 games, Cameron has slashed .313/.380/.547 with five home runs and eight stolen bases. His power/speed combo is reminiscent of his father, the great Mike Cameron. Cameron also struggles with strikeouts like his dad, and that will end up hurting him at the big league level. Still, Cameron is a toolsy center field prospect who is tearing up Double-A, and is making a case to be roaming the outfield at Comerica Park sooner than many might have expected.

4. Franklin Perez

Highest: 2 Lowest: 4

Age: 20

Level: A+

Stats: 6.23 ERA, 13/8 K/BB ratio

Perez has seen his development take a hit after a lengthy stay on the disabled list with a lat injury. He’s thrown 17.1 innings in 2018, eight in rookie ball and 9.1 at High-A. His 6.23 ERA and 13/8 K/BB ratio are not good, but it’s not worth investing too much in those numbers after such a long DL-stint. Perez is still perhaps the most polished arm in Detroit’s farm system, with four plus pitches. He still has some work to do with his command, but at 20 years old he has all the makings of a future star.

3. Alex Faedo

Highest: 2 Lowest: 4

Age: 22

Level: A+/AA

Stats: 3.10 ERA in 12 starts at High-A

Faedo has seen a concerning velocity drop this season, but has still produced very solid results at two stops. He has a 71/24 K/BB ratio in 88 innings between High-A and Double-A. The low strikeout numbers are also a bit concerning. Faedo will need to get that heater back up into the mid-90’s if he wants to avoid becoming a late-inning reliever.

His plus slider has remained solid, and he’s still very young and inexperienced. The 2017 third overall pick has the potential to be a top-tier starting pitcher, he will just need to work on a few things to get there.

2. Matt Manning

Highest: 1 Lowest: 3

Age: 20

Level: A/A+

Stats: 96 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings across two levels

Detroit’s first-round pick in 2016, Manning has absolutely dominated across two levels this season. He has a staggering 11.9 K/9 with a 3.28 ERA. Manning’s primary concern has been control, with a 4.74 BB/9. If he can learn how to command the zone, Manning is a future ace.

1. Casey Mize

Highest: 1 Lowest: 4

Age: 21

Level: N/A

Stats: Hasn’t made Pro Debut

Detroit’s first number one overall pick since Matt Anderson in 1997, the Tigers will hope to avoid the same fate that beset Anderson. Mize has all the makings of a frontline starter, with an excellent four-pitch mix that he can command. Even though he has yet to throw a professional inning, he comes in at No. 1 on our midseason top 30 list.

Next: Five Best Trades in Franchise History

Detroit’s system is pitching heavy, with Mize, Manning, Faedo, Perez, Burrows and Funkhouser all projecting to be big league starting pitchers. Of course, position players like Stewart and Cameron, as well as Paredes, could be huge pieces for Detroit’s rebuild as well.

Check in early next year for an updated look at the Detroit Tigers top 30 prospects heading into 2019.