Sunday MCB Notes: Detroit Tigers OF Riley Greene is off and running

Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene warms up before Grapefruit League action against the Philadelphia Phillies at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Friday, March 18, 2022, in Lakeland, Florida.Tigersphil
Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene warms up before Grapefruit League action against the Philadelphia Phillies at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Friday, March 18, 2022, in Lakeland, Florida.Tigersphil
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The Detroit Tigers started spring training action on Friday and within the first two games, Riley Greene pickups where he left off last season.

Welcome to week 2 of the “Sunday MCB notes” a weekly recap of all things Detroit Tigers & Major League Baseball and anything else that catches our eye. In this week’s edition, we look at the Tigers spring opener, a former Tiger has found a new home and Detroit turns off the hot stove for the year & more.

The Tigers kicked off spring training on Friday with a 6-6 tie over the Phillies. Speaking of the Phillies, Philadelphia made news earlier in the day by signing former Tigers outfielder Nick Castellanos to a five-year, $100 million dollar deal. Castellanos was one of the best players in the National League, winning a Silver Slugger award and was named to the All-Star team. He joins a very dangerous Phillies lineup that includes Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, and J.T Realmuto.

Combine that with the signing of Kyle Schwarber earler in the week, the Phillies will have four players in their lineup that hit 30 or more home runs in 2021. They also addressed one of the worst bullpens in the league by signing another former Tiger, as Corey Knebel signed before the lockout to be the team’s closer along with lefty Brad Hand and former Mets closer Jeurys Familia.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene is off to a quick start.

So far in two games, Riley Greene is 2-for-3 with a home run, single and a walk in three plate appearances. As you may recall, in his final two months after being called up to Toledo on August 17th, Greene put up an impressive set of numbers. He put up a slash line of .308/.400/.553 with an OPS of .953 and showed the power with an .ISO of .245 and wRC+ of 152. He hit 8 home runs, 9 doubles and 3 triples.

Greene right now is one of the better outfielders in camp. There was a big reason why he has been the number prospect on the MCB Top 20 prospect board for the past two seasons. He can mash and you can see it here on display going opposite field on Friday.

Detroit Tigers prospect Beau Brieske worked out during spring training minicamp Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 at Tiger Town in Lakeland.Tigers7
Detroit Tigers prospect Beau Brieske worked out during spring training minicamp Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 at Tiger Town in Lakeland.Tigers7 /

Detroit Tigers RHP Beau Brieske heads down to minor league camp on a high note

Detroit Tigers minor league pitcher of the year Beau Brieske(number 15 on the MCB top 20) has been turning heads lately. Brandon Day of Bless You Boys.com, myself, and some of us here at MCB watched last season between his stops at West Michigan to Erie how Brieske was mixing his fastball, changeup, a slider and curve on his way to an impressive 2021 campaign. Here’s one note from Brandon’s article that spoke highly about his secondary pitches. 

“His best secondary pitch right now is probably his slider, although the changeup isn’t far behind. It’s a fairly prototypical slider with good sweeping action, and occasionally he’ll break one off with a little sharper tilt. With a little more refinement he might have a plus pitch there. It pairs well with the fastball, as does Brieske’s changeup”

A sign of true progress within the system as he was drafted in the 27th round in 2019. It is not often the Tigers get prospects that pan out that are drafted that late but props to Brieske’s work ethic and determination.

This was yesterday in two innings of work against the Pirates. In order for pitchers who are expected to break camp, Brieske was sent down to minor league camp this morning but expect him to start the season in Toledo.

Daz Cameron makes a quick impression

Daz Cameron is 3-for-5 so far in two games in spring training so far. One of those hits was a home run yesterday as he is competing with Derek Hill and Victor Reyes for a spot in the outfield. He can play all three outfield positions and shown some pop. A position battle to keep your eye on.

Detroit Tigers GM Al Avila looks on before Grapefruit League action against the Philadelphia Phillies at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium Friday, March 18, 2022 in Lakeland, Florida.Tigersphil
Detroit Tigers GM Al Avila looks on before Grapefruit League action against the Philadelphia Phillies at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium Friday, March 18, 2022 in Lakeland, Florida.Tigersphil /

Detroit Tigers GM Al Avila says the hot stove is off

With the signing of RHP Michael Pineda, when speaking to the press yesterday, Avila had some quotes in regards to the end of making moves.

“We identified our needs, we went out and we were able to acquire all the needs that we needed,”

This one stood out and I had a chuckle. 

“We’re done. You guys can dress down and have some drinks after the game”.

A bullpen battle brews ahead.

With the news that Kyle Funkhouser has a lat strain and may not ready for the start of the season, the focus turns onto the arms in camp like Jason Foley, non-roster invitee Jacob Barnes, Bryan Garcia, among others.

With Pineda joining the rotation, it looks like Tyler Alexander will be back in the bullpen as Detroit will feature three left-handers out of the bullpen.

Spring Training Flashback:

On this date in March 20th, 1982, Jack Morris and Pat Underwood were the scheduled pitchers against the Minnesota Twins down in Orlando. In the Free Press, Sparky Anderson was looking to add a speedy bat to the line-up as they were looking to trade Al Cowens. The Mariners would pick up his contract the following week on March 28th.

Nibbles on Cowens 20 Mar 1982, Sat Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) Newspapers.com
Nibbles on Cowens 20 Mar 1982, Sat Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) Newspapers.com /
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