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Detroit Tigers Minor League Report: Austin Murr causes a stir

By Roger Castillo

How to get the next Clemens in the majors: A.) Draft a stud pitcher from Texas; or, B.) Draft Kody Clemens and make sure he can play multiple positions.Toledo Mud Hens
How to get the next Clemens in the majors: A.) Draft a stud pitcher from Texas; or, B.) Draft Kody Clemens and make sure he can play multiple positions.Toledo Mud Hens /
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Toledo Mud Hens outfielder Christin Stewart bats against the Nashville Sounds on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in Toledo, Ohio.Toledo Mud Hens /

Toledo Mud Hens Triple-A East Midwest Division (59-42)

Since the trio of Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Ryan Kreidler have arrived in Toledo, many Detroit Tigers fans are salivating at the thought the future is coming close to arriving in the Motor City.

Lost in the shuffle a bit is this veteran Mud Hens team in first place and getting contributions from everyone including Kody Clemens, who continues to have a good month of August. He hit his first career grand slam yesterday and on the month, he has five home runs and 17 RBI.

As discussed by Lynn Henning of the Detroit News with Toledo manager Tom Prince, ($) the lefty bat and the ability to play anywhere will help Clemens come spring training. The K rate is still about 25% but perhaps another winter to work on cutting back his K rate and a stint in Arizona Fall Ball could help Clemens.

Riley Greene, the number one prospect on the MCB Top 20, is adjusting to Triple-A life nicely with a wRC+ of 124 in 12 games. He has a walk rate of 14.3% and has been hitting the ball to all fields including this monster shot to right field in yesterday’s 9-8 victory.

Ryan Kreidler’s first few weeks went well as he is currently at a .385/.478/.615 clip with a pair of home runs in Triple-A. Spencer Torkelson continues to adjust to Triple-A pitching, batting .188/.281/.396 but did lunch the first two home runs of his career this week against St.Paul.

On the pitching side, in addition to Del Pozo having a solid month,  Will Vest, fresh from his return from being a Rule 5 pick by Seattle, in eight innings of work so far in August, has allowed two runs in eight innings, striking out nine and walking three. Vest looks to try to get a spot in the bullpen come spring training.

Nivaldo Rodriguez, who was signed and added to the 40-man roster from Houston, has been struggling since arriving in Toledo. Chris and I saw him pitch two weeks ago and the fastball was sitting in the low 90’s. So far in his first 14 innings of work, he has allowed 15 hits, five earned runs, and has walked seven and struck out eight.

Next up for the Mud Hens is a road series as they take on Omaha starting tomorrow.

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