TIGERS

The Detroit News updated top 10 Tigers prospects for 2019

The Detroit News
Matt Schoch, a contributor for The Detroit News, ranks the Tigers' top 10 prospects.
Matt Schoch, a contributor for The Detroit News, ranks the Tigers' top 10 prospects.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
1. Casey Mize, RH starter, 22 (preseason rank: 1): His recovery from the shoulder scare solidified this ranking, but it was still a tough choice, with all three top candidates drawing consideration. Mize is a consensus Top-10 prospect in all of baseball with creeping durability concerns the only reason to have pause.
1. Casey Mize, RH starter, 22 (preseason rank: 1): His recovery from the shoulder scare solidified this ranking, but it was still a tough choice, with all three top candidates drawing consideration. Mize is a consensus Top-10 prospect in all of baseball with creeping durability concerns the only reason to have pause.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
2. Matt Manning, RH starter, 21 (preseason: 2): A strikeout artist with workhorse potential, Manning’s fastball will send a lot of batters walking back to the dugout at Comerica Park, likely starting next summer. He’ll hit 98 mph, and devastate with the curveball, but his changeup development is the key to an even higher ceiling.
2. Matt Manning, RH starter, 21 (preseason: 2): A strikeout artist with workhorse potential, Manning’s fastball will send a lot of batters walking back to the dugout at Comerica Park, likely starting next summer. He’ll hit 98 mph, and devastate with the curveball, but his changeup development is the key to an even higher ceiling.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
3. Riley Greene, OF, 18 (preseason: N/A): Greene has been the impact bat Tigers’ fans craved since he was taken No. 5 in June’s draft. Through 30 games in the Gulf Coast League and with short-season Connecticut, Greene was hitting .319 with three home runs and 14 RBIs.
3. Riley Greene, OF, 18 (preseason: N/A): Greene has been the impact bat Tigers’ fans craved since he was taken No. 5 in June’s draft. Through 30 games in the Gulf Coast League and with short-season Connecticut, Greene was hitting .319 with three home runs and 14 RBIs.
John T. Greilick, Detroit News
4. Tarik Skubal, LH starter, 22 (preseason: 38): The list’s biggest riser from the preseason, his strong results have even improved on the all-important jump to Double-A Erie. After a strong 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings in Lakeland, Skubal has an other-worldly 18.8 strikeouts-per-nine rate in Erie.
4. Tarik Skubal, LH starter, 22 (preseason: 38): The list’s biggest riser from the preseason, his strong results have even improved on the all-important jump to Double-A Erie. After a strong 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings in Lakeland, Skubal has an other-worldly 18.8 strikeouts-per-nine rate in Erie.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
5. Isaac Paredes, IF, 20 (preseason: 3): Playing against much older competition in Double-A Erie, Paredes is heating up late in the season, going 15 for 25 (.600 average) over a six-game stretch last week. Paredes is the gem of one of Al Avila’s best trades, the 2017 Justin Wilson and Alex Avila deal with the Cubs.
5. Isaac Paredes, IF, 20 (preseason: 3): Playing against much older competition in Double-A Erie, Paredes is heating up late in the season, going 15 for 25 (.600 average) over a six-game stretch last week. Paredes is the gem of one of Al Avila’s best trades, the 2017 Justin Wilson and Alex Avila deal with the Cubs.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
6. Franklin Perez, RH starter, 21 (preseason: 4): The fact that the oft-injured Perez is this high is both a testament to his four-plus-pitch potential and an indictment of a poor summer for many others on this list. It’s possible his durability issues mean he’s better suited out of the bullpen.
6. Franklin Perez, RH starter, 21 (preseason: 4): The fact that the oft-injured Perez is this high is both a testament to his four-plus-pitch potential and an indictment of a poor summer for many others on this list. It’s possible his durability issues mean he’s better suited out of the bullpen.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
7. Willi Castro, SS, 22 (preseason: 9): Getting Castro from Cleveland for Leonys Martin and Kyle Dowdy is likely Avila’s best trade. Castro’s strong offensive season in Toledo would be even better without his 21 errors. It’s unclear whether he is ultimately a shortstop, but he should get a shot in Detroit soon.
7. Willi Castro, SS, 22 (preseason: 9): Getting Castro from Cleveland for Leonys Martin and Kyle Dowdy is likely Avila’s best trade. Castro’s strong offensive season in Toledo would be even better without his 21 errors. It’s unclear whether he is ultimately a shortstop, but he should get a shot in Detroit soon.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
8. Daz Cameron, CF, 22 (preseason: 8): Entering Sunday, Cameron was batting .221 and his 120 strikeouts were sixth-most in the International League. If you’re looking for a bright side, Cameron’s current Triple-A stall has allowed JaCoby Jones time to prove he could man Detroit’s center field for a few more years.
8. Daz Cameron, CF, 22 (preseason: 8): Entering Sunday, Cameron was batting .221 and his 120 strikeouts were sixth-most in the International League. If you’re looking for a bright side, Cameron’s current Triple-A stall has allowed JaCoby Jones time to prove he could man Detroit’s center field for a few more years.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
9. Jake Rogers, C, 24 (preseason: 11): Here’s believing Rogers is in Detroit to stay, most importantly as a stabilizing receiver of the forthcoming parade of pitching prospects. He’ll never be Lance Parrish offensively, but 49 home runs over three seasons in the minors is an encouraging starting point.
9. Jake Rogers, C, 24 (preseason: 11): Here’s believing Rogers is in Detroit to stay, most importantly as a stabilizing receiver of the forthcoming parade of pitching prospects. He’ll never be Lance Parrish offensively, but 49 home runs over three seasons in the minors is an encouraging starting point.
Alex Gallardo, Associated Press
10. Alex Faedo, RH starter 23 (preseason: 14): His two minor-league seasons since being drafted 18th overall in 2017 have been uneven. But when projecting his ability to handle upcoming stress, we can’t shake the 2017 College World Series from our minds when Faedo threw two absolute gems for champion Florida, earning Most Outstanding Player.
10. Alex Faedo, RH starter 23 (preseason: 14): His two minor-league seasons since being drafted 18th overall in 2017 have been uneven. But when projecting his ability to handle upcoming stress, we can’t shake the 2017 College World Series from our minds when Faedo threw two absolute gems for champion Florida, earning Most Outstanding Player.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News