Tigers Minor League Baseball Blog

Lakeland had another tough season in 2011 but they had their top performers.  Here’s a few of the guys who got it done at the plate.

Jordan Lennerton led the team in walks (92) and runs (75) and he also led all regular players in OPS with .841.  Lennerton’s biggest problem is he’s blocked at first base so chances of making the big league club are slim but if he continues to hit like he did in 2011, maybe he’ll find a new spot out on the field where the Tigers can use him.

Tony Plagman led the team in home runs (18) and RBIs (97) and he did while only striking out 94 times.  He only hit .257 so that hurt his OPS and he’s primarily a DH so that means like Lennerton, he’ll probably find his way blocked but it should fun seeing how this guy hits at Erie next year.

Avisail Garcia was third on the team with eleven home runs but his plate discipline needs a ton of work  He walked eighteen times yet he struck out 122 times.  The one thing he has going for him is he’s young (he’s only 20) so maybe he’ll get some work to be a more discplined hitter and he can contend for an outfield job with the Tigers down the line.

Jacob Turner was ranked seventh amongst all prospects by MLB.com in their annual release.  That’s not surprising with his solid showing at Double-A as just a 20 year old.  The Tigers haven’t signed anyone yet to be the fifth starter and there’s a chance Turner could break camp as a member of the big league rotation.

His secondary pitches seem to be improving and that’s what’s turning him into a complete pitcher.  Of course the Tigers rushed Rick Porcello up and that didn’t work well.  I’d like to see him start the season in Toledo and let him work on things there.  With the Tigers making a run at another division title, I wonder if the pressure will be too much.  Not for Turner, but to potentially misuse him if he’s pitching well.

1)  Jacob Turner  RHP
2)  Nick Castellanos  3b
3)  Drew Smyly  LHP
4)  Casey Crosby  LHP
5)  Andy Oliver  LHP
6)  Brenny Paulino  RHP
7)  Rob Brantly  C
8)  Alex Burgos  LHP
9)  James McCann  C
10)  Avisail Garcia  OF

Pitching was weak for the Flying Tigers in 2011 but the team had some rising stars on their roster.  Here’s a look at some of the better hurlers in 2011.

Drew Smyly only made 14 starts for the team but he struck out 77 batters in 80 1/3 ininngs and he did while walking only 21.  Also, he only gave up a single home run.  That resulted in a 7-3 record with a 2.58 ERA before he was promoted.

Kenny Faulk was the team’s primary closer and he looked sharp in his 52 2/3 innings.  He struck out 67, only walked 15 and he finished with 20 saves and a 2.56 ERA.  He’ll be 25 in May so he’s no longer a prospect but he’s left handed and is throwing well so you might see him in a Tigers uniform in 2013 if the Tigers hang onto him.

Zach Samuels had just a 1.79 ERA in 55 1/3 inings before he was promoted to Erie in 2011.  He struck out 47 in 55 1/3 innings and while his groundball rate didn’t stick when he was at Erie, he did a nice job of keeping that ball down with Lakeland.  You also have to be impressed with his 47/10 strikeout to walk ratio.