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Detroit Tigers minor-league tools series: Best Fastball

By Roger Castillo

Sep 19, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Jason Foley (68) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Jason Foley (68) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers
Heritage Hall players, including Jackson Jobe, center holding trophy, celebrate after the Class 4A baseball state tournament championship game between Heritage Hall and Verdigris in Shawnee, Okla., Saturday, May 15, 2021. /

Detroit Tigers Best Fastball: Future Stock

  • Jackson Jobe
  • Rayner Castillo
  • Erick Pinales
  • Ty Madden (2021 32nd pick overall)
  • Tanner Kohlhepp (2021 5th round draft pick out of University of Notre Dame)
  • RJ Petit (2021 14th round pick out o Charleston Southern University)

Jobe’s fastball velocity in high school was in the 93-95, but as he continues to grow into his 6’2 frame, that will probably increase. As far as command goes, he showed very good command not only in his fastball but his change and slider at the high school level.

For movement, he showed high spin rates on his fastball (2300-2500 RPM) and slider (2900-3200 RPM). His slider has tremendous upside and once he gains experience against minor league hitters, he should be interesting to see what happens. Mark Powell from our FanSided.com site spoke to Tim Grieve, who was the area scout in Oklahoma that provided the information to Al Avila. Here’s what he said about why the Tigers were so comfortable to draft him.

” There is a comfort level, and it comes from the top-down. Al (Avila) is the same guy who took Josh Beckett (out of high school). We all understand there’s risk involved no matter who you take. With Jackson we just felt this is a kid who’s looked too good to pass up… we’re very comfortable with our development staff, we’re ecstatic with (pitching coach) Chris Fetter and you think we can only imagine what they’re going to do with a kid like this.”

While Rayner Castillo is just 17 and only has pitched in the DSL Tigers team, he has flashed a plus slider but has thrown a fastball in the low 90s. Like Jobe, he is very raw, but there is potential. Looking forward to seeing him pitch stateside soon.

For Erick Pinales, the numbers show a fastball average around 96 MPH down in Lakeland over 16.7 innings of work after moving over from rookie ball. It has hit 99 with spin rates in the 2500-2670 range and a cutter that displayed decent movement. His issue, however, is his command as he issued 18 walks.

Ty Madden averages around 94-96 that touched 100 MPH at Texas with good movement on his slider. He may move up quickly in the system this season.

RJ Petit averaged 94-96 and hit 97 in college. From all accounts, has a nasty slider and stands almost seven feet tall.

Go to the nine-second mark here for the movement on this strikeout. It’s not a fastball but still impressive.

Tanner Kohlhepp hit 100 MPH in college and possess movement on all his pitches. Pretty easy going windup and release.

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