Detroit Tigers: Midseason Top 30 Prospects

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.