MAKING THE PITCH: Detroit Tigers

Tiger Management, along with Manager Jim Leyland,
have a tough choice to make for that #5 spot in the rotation.
(photo courtesy of Mike McCann's Field of Fotos)

Felipe M

We take a look at the projected starting rotations and closer situations of every MLB team.  Of course, this will come from a fantasy perspective.  All cited stats are based on 2013 projections.  

Check out our analysis of the Chicago Cubs, here. 

The Detroit Tigers will now be looked at.

PROBABLE STARTING ROTATION

1. Justin Verlander
• Good: It's JUSTIN VERLANDER!
• Bad: His WHIP (1.07) is only slightly better than Jered Weaver and Zack Greinke.  
2. Doug Fister
• Good: 3.63 K/BB is three-tenth's worse than Verlander's.  
• Bad: 9.21 H/9 raises expected WHIP to 1.23.
3. Max Scherzer
• Good: 3.51 K/BB: do you sense a pattern with this pitching staff yet? 9.46 K/9 would lead the team in that category.  
• Bad: 8.31 H/9 increases WHIP to 1.22.  
4. Anibal Sanchez
• Good: 3.12 K/BB is fueled by a  7.97 K/9.  
• Bad: H/9 of 8.78 raises WHIP to 1.26. 

CLOSER

1. Bruce Rondon
• Good: #3 Prospect in Tigers' organization.  9.96 K/9 along with 6.75 H/9 gives him a chance to be dominant.  Jim Leyland, in an interview today, explained that he's been impressed with the pitcher's progress.  The praise from Leyland came after he pitched a perfect 9th inning against the New York Mets of yesterday's game.  
• Bad: He's a young, raw pitcher and it's not surprising that he's projected to struggle with walks (BB/9 of 4.98), raising his WHIP to 1.30.  He's also might be susceptible to the long ball (HR/9 1.29).  The Tigers also seem to be really interested in acquiring Carlos Marmol from the Chicago Cubs.  

FANTASY ADVICE

The #5 slot is up for grabs between Rick Porcello and Drew Smyly.  Suddenly, Porcello has found a way to boost his strikeout totals.  He's seen an increase in the last few seasons or so and last I checked, he was striking out one batter per inning during this spring.  However, FanGraphs did an interesting feature on his strikeout totals in the spring, citing that the level of talent he's faced is pretty much a joke (how hard is it to strikeout Dan Uggla, anyway?).  

On the other hand, Smyly seems to have no problems striking out hitters (K/9 of 7.78 compared to Porcello's 5.35) and even though he might give up more walks, both pitchers are expected to finish the year with similar WHIP (1.30).  It's a pretty close match this spring, but it looks like the Tigers' best bet is to send down Smyly to the Minors; unless, of course, they can trade Porcello (to the Cubs for Marmol?).  

As much as Rondon's upside seems to be legit, personally, I would stay clear from the young fireballer.  The walks are a concern.  I also would prefer Smyly over Porcello, but even Porcello might be worth a flier.  If his spring numbers are close to being the real deal, Porcello's stock will easily sky-rocket.  

As far as the other Tigers' starters go: any one of those pitchers will help out your fantasy team in a big way this season.  Verlander is the benchmark that all, wanna-be elite pitchers should try to reach.  Fister, Scherzer, and Sanchez will fit nicely in the middle of your rotation.  They are conventional, top-notch, 2nd-tier starting pitchers.  

More MLB content is available here. 

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #15-11

 A lot of Mariners' players were on this list.  Seattle is looking
to get back to their "glory" days and are hoping that their
young, pitching prospects can lead them to success.
(photo courtesy of Felipe M)

Felipe M

15. James Paxton--SP--Seattle Mariners

• 2012 Outlook: "Dominant in 1st year of Minors.  Big League call-up may not be too far off in 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: #4 Prospect in Mariners' system as well as having its Best Curveball; #10 Prospect in Southern League.
• Conclusion: The Mariners are loaded with young, hot prospects and Paxton is one of them.  His Double-A numbers saw Paxton struggle a bit with control, but was still able to display dominance: K/BB 2.4; WHIP 1.31; H/9 7.7; BB/9 4.1; K/9 10.0.  Paxton was invitied to the Mariners' spring training camp, but it is very likely he will be returning to the Minors in 2013, but many scouts think he can be a top-of-the-rotation starter and a mid-season call-up would not be out of the ordinary.

14. Brad Peacock--SP--Houston Astros

• 2012 Outlook: "If he makes the A's roster, he can be the 2012 version of Brandon Beachy."
• 2012 Achievements: #4 A's prospect
• Conclusion: After performing well in the Nationals' system, he struggled mightily in Pacific Coast league last season post the following numbers: K/BB 2.11; K/9 9.3; BB/9 4.4; HR/9 1.1; H/9 9.8; WHIP 1.58.  He recently was traded along with Chris Carter to Houston for SS Jed Lowrie.

13. Jacob Turner--SP--Miami Marlins

• 2012 Outlook: "'Control artist' should make his way to the Big Leagues in 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: Started 10 games the Majors. 
• Conclusion: Turner was traded to Miami for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante as Detroit was stocking up for a playoff run.  Before being called up, Turner garnered 18 pitching starts in the Minors:  K/BB 1.95; WHIP 1.24; BB/9 3.3; H/9 7.9; K/9 6.4.  His MLB stat line looks like this: K/BB 2.25, WHIP 1.20; BB/9 2.62; H/9 8.2; K/9 5.9.  So very similar numbers, but slightly improved his walks in the Majors.  Turner's ticket to the Majors is his control and is projected to start in the middle of the rotation.  A concern is his low strikeout rate as many scouts and experts are starting to doubt his reputation as a potential, elite starter.  

12. Randall Delgado--SP--Arizona Diamondbacks

Seattle was also in pursuit of Justin Upton this offseason and
were willing to give up their promising prospects for him.
Instead, Upton will be playing in Atlanta with his
brother B.J.
(photo courtesy of Mike McCann's Field of Fotos)

• 2012 Outlook: "Might start the season in the Big Leagues depending if Tim Hudson is healthy."
• 2012 Achievements: Made 17 pitching starts for the Atlanta Braves last season.
• Conclusion: Delgado was dealt to Arizona in the Justin Upton trade. Very likely that Delgado will get a shot to compete for the back end of Arizona's rotation in spring training.  His numbers in Triple-A: K/BB 2.38; K/9 10.4; BB/9 4.4; H/9 9.0; WHIP 1.49.  His numbers for the 2012 MLB season: K/BB 1.81; K/9 7.38; BB/9 4.08; H/9 8.69; WHIP 1.41.  So clearly he needs to show he can improve his control and command, but has also shown dominance throughout his young career as well and that's why he remains such an enticing pitcher. 

11. Duane Below--SP--Detroit Tigers

• 2012 Outlook: "Might make the Tigers as team's 5th starter out of spring training."
• 2012 Achievements: Appeared in 27 games for the Tigers, including one pitching start.
• Conclusion: Posted solid numbers as a reliever last year.  His K/9 did dip to an ordinary 5.66.  Might start 2013 in the Minors as well. Triple-A stats: WHIP 1.30; H/9 8.4; BB/9 3.3; K/9 6.1; K/BB 1.84.  So it is noticeable that Below's strikeout rate has been dropping throughout his career as he continues to struggle with command and tries to improve his walks' totals.  

Prospects #20-16 are available here.

Prospects #10-6 are available here.

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #55-51

Felipe M.

The following is a review of a list that was compiled way back in March of 2012.  "2012 Outlooks" are based on a summation of scouting reports (entering the 2012 MLB season) of each player condensed into a sentence or two for easier reading.

55. Arodys Vizcaino--SP-Chicago Cubs

• 2012 Outlook: "Higher ceiling than Randall Delgado (Braves), but might be used as relief pitcher in the interim."
• 2012 Accomplishments: Underwent Tommy John surgery in March
• Conclusion: In what proved to be one of many, wacky Cubs' transactions since the Theo Epstein era began, Vizcaino was the consolation prize for Ryan Dempster refusing to get traded to Atlanta where the Cubs had a chance to get hihgly touted Braves' prospect, Randall Delgado.  Instead, the Cubs traded Reed Johnson and Paul Maholm in late July and acquired the mending pitcher who is projected to compete for a rotation spot by 2014. He did post good numbers in the Minors before getting hurt. 

54. Anthony Rendon--3B--Washington Nationals

• 2012 Outlook: "Might move to 2B; would increase value."
• 2012 Accomplishments: Named to Arizona Fall League Top Prospects' Team; Moved from Rookie to Double-A ball
• Conclusion: Rendon could do no wrong this season as he played a total of 43 games in 4 different classes for 4 different teams in the Minors.  Unfortunately, a fractured ankle injury limited his 2012 season.  He did post an .851 OPS and showcased great plate discipline and alongside a high contact rate. His Slash Line in the AFL were .338/.436/.494. Is considered to be on the outside looking in for the Nationals roster in 2013, but it seems that Rendon has nothing else to prove in the Minors. 

53. Nick Castellanos--3B--Detroit Tigers

• 2012 Outlook: "Hit a lot of doubles in Minors. Still developing."
• 2012 Accomplishments: Participated in AFL; #1 Tigers' prospect, as well as Best Hitter for Average and Strike Zone Discipline; #5 and #4 Prospect in Florida State League and Eastern League respectively--Best Batting Prospect in both league; 
• Conclusion: Despite getting recognized for Strike Zone Discipline, he posted a BB:K of .31 in 2012. He also struggled with a .642 OPS in AFL, but even GM Dave Dombrowski admitted that the young prospect simply "ran out of gas."  He is listed as a 3B, but because of Miguel Cabrera, he has been forced to play in RF (Minors) and LF (in AFL). He posted great overal numbers in the Minors the last two seasons and at 6'4", 210 lbs, his high number of doubles (68 in last 2 seasons) makes him a future, potential power hitter in the Majors. Despite showing a decrease in plate discipline, he has a chance to make the Tigers as an OF in 2013 out of spring training. 

52. Chad Bettis--SP--Colorado Rockies

• 2012 Outlook: "Dominated hitter-friendly California League. Long-term prospect."
• 2012 Accomplishments: N/A
• Conclusion: The Rockies shut down Bettis' 2012 due to shoulder injury suffered in April so he will be looking to bounce back in 2013. He has posted a 1.09 WHIP, 7.6 H/9, 2.2 BB/9, and 9.1 K/9 in his Minor League career so far. 

51. Josh Bell--OF--Pittsburgh Pirates

• 2012 Outlook: 19, switch-hitter with great power potential. Long-term prospect."
• 2012 Accomplishments: N/A
• Conclusion: Bell's season was cut short because he underwent surgery to repair meniscus in left knee. He did appear in 15 games and made 66 plate appearances.  He would strike out once every 3 at bats and walked a total of two times.  Nevertheless, Bell remains a very long-term prospect. 

Prospects #60-56 can be reviewed here.

Prospects #50-46 can be reviewed here.