Detroit Tigers: Projecting the 2022 Erie SeaWolves Lineup

Detroit Tigers: West Michigan Outfield Projections (4)

• Daniel Cabrera – Cabrera was generally viewed as an advanced hitter and a top-40 prospect heading into the 2020 draft, so it felt a bit like a steal when he slid to the Tigers at pick 62. He had a solid first month in West Michigan, but couldn’t manage an OPS over .720 in any subsequent month, and he hit just .174/.197/.344 in 17 games after his promotion to Double-A Erie. He’s due for a return engagement with the SeaWolves, and he’ll need to step it up with his bat to prove his ceiling is anything more than a 4th outfielder.
• Kerry Carpenter – Carpenter took home MVP in the 2019 GCL, and then he skipped over two levels to land at Erie in 2021. Given the circumstances, his production was pretty impressive, with a .262/.319/.433 slash line and 15 home runs. There’s probably not enough defensive versatility or on-base ability for Carpenter to make it to the big leagues, but his lefty pop should make him a staple in Detroit’s upper minors for a few more seasons.
• Eric De La Rosa – De La Rosa made one of the biggest developmental leaps in the system last year, going from hitting .148 in short-season ball in 2019 to posting a 124 wRC+ across three levels and participating in the Arizona Fall League in 2021. Contact issues may ultimately keep him from the big leagues, but he still has enticing tools and athleticism, and he deserves another shot at Double-A, where he hit .226/.339/.409 over 29 games last year.
• Austin Murr – Murr drew plaudits for his on-base skills at N.C. State, but he was viewed as a bit of a money saver in the 6th round of last year’s draft. He quickly proved too advanced for the low minors, though, posting a .492 on-base percentage in Low-A Lakeland, and then hitting .344/.412/.422 over 25 games in West Michigan. He played mostly left field as a pro last year, and he can also handle first base, but he’ll need to find a way to hit for more game power to stick at either spot.