Detroit Tigers: Potential second half call-ups to look forward to

The first half of the season was pretty rough for the Detroit Tigers, but as the season rolls on, some prospects are likely to get their long-awaited shot at playing in the major leagues.

With this being a rebuilding year for the Detroit Tigers, the second half of the season is likely going to bring some new faces to Detroit’s big-league lineup. As the second half is almost ready to begin, let’s take a look at a few Tigers farm system players that could make an impact if they get called up to the majors.

Detroit Tigers- Willi Castro, INF

For some Tigers fans, it may be a surprise that Willi Castro hasn’t been called up to the bigs yet. The 22-year-old middle infield prospect has put together a very solid year so far in the batter’s box for Triple-A Toledo, hitting .296 with 39 RBI and .827 OPS in 81 games with the Mud Hens.

Detroit’s infield has gone through plenty of shakeups already this year, so adding Castro into the mix can’t really hurt anything. His prominence at the plate in Triple-A this year makes him seemingly a shoo-in to be called up at some point before the end of the season, so figuring out a defensive place for him shouldn’t be too difficult.

Detroit Tigers- Beau Burrows, RHP

About a month ago, GM Al Avila hinted at the possibility that pitching prospect Beau Burrows could make his MLB debut for Detroit at some point before the end of the year. After being sidelined for a bit this year with a shoulder injury, the Tigers’ 2015 first-round pick is back in action with Triple-A Toledo and looking as if he may be ready for a jump to the majors.

In eight starts with the Mud Hens this season, Burrows has an 0-3 record with a 3.92 ERA and has struck out 32 batters in 36.2 IP. Those numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page, but the 22-year-old righty has paid his dues in the farm system for nearly five years now. With a starting rotation that has been constantly changing this year, giving Burrows a shot in the big leagues in August or September seems like a logical step.

Detroit Tigers- Daz Cameron, OF

Similar to the case of Willi Castro, it may be surprising to some that Daz Cameron is also yet to be called up to the majors this year. After hitting a grand slam during Spring Training in March, there was some chatter about Cameron even making the Opening Day roster for the Detroit Tigers, but instead, he has spent the entirety of 2019 so far in Toledo.

The Tigers acquired the outfielder prospect from Houston as part of the Justin Verlander trade back in 2017 and seems poised for a major league debut soon. Cameron is hitting .231 with Toledo this year but also has nine HRs and 30 RBI through 75 games. He has tremendous offensive potential and deserves a chance at proving himself in the bigs considering he was part of the trade that really set the Tigers’ rebuild into motion.

All of these players seem ready to step up and have a chance at experiencing Major League Baseball. Detroit Tigers fans know that calling up prospects and seeing how they do is going to be a big part of the second half of the season, and Castro, Burrows, and Cameron all have tremendous potential to possibly turn some heads.