Tigers Minor League Baseball Blog

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.