SPORTS

The Detroit News’ top Tigers prospects

Go through the gallery to see The Detroit News’ Top 20 Tigers prospects, with analysis by Lynn Henning.
Go through the gallery to see The Detroit News’ Top 20 Tigers prospects, with analysis by Lynn Henning.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
1. Michael Fulmer, RHP, age 22, 6-3, 200: Dave Dombrowski played poker with the Mets ahead of last July’s trade deadline, and the former Tigers general manager won, at least from Detroit’s perspective. Dombrowski got the Mets’ top pitching prodigy as ransom for sending Yoenis Cespedes to New York. Fulmer has a fastball-slider combination that could make him a No. 2 or No. 3 starter in the Tigers’ rotation, and perhaps soon. The Tigers likewise haven’t ruled out a potential closer’s role for Fulmer. But for now, he’ll remain a starter and likely begin the season at Triple-A Toledo.
1. Michael Fulmer, RHP, age 22, 6-3, 200: Dave Dombrowski played poker with the Mets ahead of last July’s trade deadline, and the former Tigers general manager won, at least from Detroit’s perspective. Dombrowski got the Mets’ top pitching prodigy as ransom for sending Yoenis Cespedes to New York. Fulmer has a fastball-slider combination that could make him a No. 2 or No. 3 starter in the Tigers’ rotation, and perhaps soon. The Tigers likewise haven’t ruled out a potential closer’s role for Fulmer. But for now, he’ll remain a starter and likely begin the season at Triple-A Toledo.
AP
2. Beau Burrows, RHP, age 19, 6-2, 200: Nothing scares a big-league club quite like making a teenage pitcher its first-round pick. The Tigers never flinched last June when they jumped on Burrows, a Dallas-area prep star, who showed during last summer’s Gulf Coast League that he had all the power and finesse of a potential top-of-the-rotation starter. He has a potent package of pitches, as well as the brand of smooth delivery a big-league team can at least begin to trust during a young pitcher’s long march to the big leagues.
2. Beau Burrows, RHP, age 19, 6-2, 200: Nothing scares a big-league club quite like making a teenage pitcher its first-round pick. The Tigers never flinched last June when they jumped on Burrows, a Dallas-area prep star, who showed during last summer’s Gulf Coast League that he had all the power and finesse of a potential top-of-the-rotation starter. He has a potent package of pitches, as well as the brand of smooth delivery a big-league team can at least begin to trust during a young pitcher’s long march to the big leagues.
Lenny Ignelzi, AP
3. Dixon Machado, SS, age 23, 6-1, 170: Machado played in 24 big-league games in 2015 and barely makes the cut as a true prospect. But unless injuries say otherwise, he’ll begin the year at Triple-A Toledo. From there, it could be a quick trip to Detroit, or, perhaps, to another club at July’s trade deadline. The Tigers are of a mind to hang onto Machado for the long term. He likely is a better defender, range-wise, than Jose Iglesias, and could also swing to second base as protection against Ian Kinsler’s advancing age. He has latent power and ideally needs a meaningful half-season, at least, at Triple A.
3. Dixon Machado, SS, age 23, 6-1, 170: Machado played in 24 big-league games in 2015 and barely makes the cut as a true prospect. But unless injuries say otherwise, he’ll begin the year at Triple-A Toledo. From there, it could be a quick trip to Detroit, or, perhaps, to another club at July’s trade deadline. The Tigers are of a mind to hang onto Machado for the long term. He likely is a better defender, range-wise, than Jose Iglesias, and could also swing to second base as protection against Ian Kinsler’s advancing age. He has latent power and ideally needs a meaningful half-season, at least, at Triple A.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
4. Joe Jimenez, RHP, age 21, 6-3, 220: He should have been an early grab in the 2013 draft. But his temporary money demands forced teams to bypass Jimenez, a hotshot Puerto Rican prep star who was receptive to a post-draft Tigers counter-offer. They got a potential bullpen star whose fastball-slider tandem fuels strikeouts and a heavy collection of weakly-hit pitches. He must evolve at higher levels (Double A a likely first stop in 2016). But the Tigers believe he could be in Detroit as early as this season.
4. Joe Jimenez, RHP, age 21, 6-3, 220: He should have been an early grab in the 2013 draft. But his temporary money demands forced teams to bypass Jimenez, a hotshot Puerto Rican prep star who was receptive to a post-draft Tigers counter-offer. They got a potential bullpen star whose fastball-slider tandem fuels strikeouts and a heavy collection of weakly-hit pitches. He must evolve at higher levels (Double A a likely first stop in 2016). But the Tigers believe he could be in Detroit as early as this season.
John Minchillo, AP
5. Kevin Ziomek, LHP, age 23, 6-3, 200: He was supposed to have been on track for potential work in Detroit in 2016. But then came 2015, and something of an offseason for the Tigers’ second-round pick (Vanderbilt) in 2013. Ziomek was relatively ordinary at Single-A Lakeland: 3.43 ERA in 27 games, although he had a 1.15 WHIP, a hundredth of a point higher than during his first full season of pro ball at West Michigan. Ziomek isn’t a bullet-thrower, but he has a solid arsenal that, as 2016 could confirm, simply needs time to reach full feather.
5. Kevin Ziomek, LHP, age 23, 6-3, 200: He was supposed to have been on track for potential work in Detroit in 2016. But then came 2015, and something of an offseason for the Tigers’ second-round pick (Vanderbilt) in 2013. Ziomek was relatively ordinary at Single-A Lakeland: 3.43 ERA in 27 games, although he had a 1.15 WHIP, a hundredth of a point higher than during his first full season of pro ball at West Michigan. Ziomek isn’t a bullet-thrower, but he has a solid arsenal that, as 2016 could confirm, simply needs time to reach full feather.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
6. Christin Stewart, OF, age 22, 6-0, 205: Left-handed power. Teams never have enough of it. The Tigers liked Stewart, a University of Tennessee star whom they’d been following his since his school days in Georgia. In 71 games at three Tigers farm stops last summer, Stewart batted .285, with 10 home runs and an .880 OPS. He had seen grade-A pitching during his Southeastern Conference days and in his early days after signing with Detroit proved why a team snagged him in the third round of last June’s draft and believes he could be on a relatively fast path to Comerica Park.
6. Christin Stewart, OF, age 22, 6-0, 205: Left-handed power. Teams never have enough of it. The Tigers liked Stewart, a University of Tennessee star whom they’d been following his since his school days in Georgia. In 71 games at three Tigers farm stops last summer, Stewart batted .285, with 10 home runs and an .880 OPS. He had seen grade-A pitching during his Southeastern Conference days and in his early days after signing with Detroit proved why a team snagged him in the third round of last June’s draft and believes he could be on a relatively fast path to Comerica Park.
Cliff Welch, AP
7. JaCoby Jones, IF/OF, age 23, 6-2, 205: Jones was the Pirates’ peace offering when they pried away Joakim Soria from Detroit in another of Dombrowski’s July 2015 deadline deals. The Tigers saw Jones as a right-handed hitter and potential super-sub who could play a variety of infield and outfield spots and provide power, to boot. He needs to chop down on his strikeouts, and to avoid mischief that led to a 50-game suspension in 2016 for use of a non-addictive drug. But a trip to Detroit at some point late in 2016 could be in the cards.
7. JaCoby Jones, IF/OF, age 23, 6-2, 205: Jones was the Pirates’ peace offering when they pried away Joakim Soria from Detroit in another of Dombrowski’s July 2015 deadline deals. The Tigers saw Jones as a right-handed hitter and potential super-sub who could play a variety of infield and outfield spots and provide power, to boot. He needs to chop down on his strikeouts, and to avoid mischief that led to a 50-game suspension in 2016 for use of a non-addictive drug. But a trip to Detroit at some point late in 2016 could be in the cards.
AP
8. Derek Hill, CF, age 20, 6-2, 195: There are the usual concerns about Hill, who was the Tigers’ first-round pick in 2014, fresh from Elk Grove (Calif.) High. Will he hit in a manner necessary for the Tigers to take full advantage of a young man’s speed and physical gifts? The Tigers were satisfied during his 2015 season at West Michigan (58 games, .238, .619 OPS) that Hill had survived an always-tough first year of professional ball, which included a quad strain and assorted aches. The Tigers expect a smoother season in 2016.
8. Derek Hill, CF, age 20, 6-2, 195: There are the usual concerns about Hill, who was the Tigers’ first-round pick in 2014, fresh from Elk Grove (Calif.) High. Will he hit in a manner necessary for the Tigers to take full advantage of a young man’s speed and physical gifts? The Tigers were satisfied during his 2015 season at West Michigan (58 games, .238, .619 OPS) that Hill had survived an always-tough first year of professional ball, which included a quad strain and assorted aches. The Tigers expect a smoother season in 2016.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
9. Tyler Alexander, LHP, age 21, 6-2, 200: Potentially, the Tigers’ 2015 draft could become one of the team’s best in decades, primarily because so many promising pitchers were grabbed early. Alexander, who pitched at Texas Christian, was nabbed in last summer’s second round and quickly made a mess of minor-league hitters with his control and repertoire that doesn’t feature heat as much as a steady string of quality pitches.  In 12 starts at Single-A Connecticut, Alexander had a 0.97 ERA, a .133 opposing batting average, and a 0.59 WHIP.
9. Tyler Alexander, LHP, age 21, 6-2, 200: Potentially, the Tigers’ 2015 draft could become one of the team’s best in decades, primarily because so many promising pitchers were grabbed early. Alexander, who pitched at Texas Christian, was nabbed in last summer’s second round and quickly made a mess of minor-league hitters with his control and repertoire that doesn’t feature heat as much as a steady string of quality pitches. In 12 starts at Single-A Connecticut, Alexander had a 0.97 ERA, a .133 opposing batting average, and a 0.59 WHIP.
Jim Cowsert, AP
10. Drew Smith, RHP, age 22, 6-2, 190: Smith was part of the 2015 draft class that, if health holds up, might have helped re-stock a system that had gotten thin on arms. A third-round pick out of Dallas Baptist, Smith has a blowtorch for an arm and could be one of those rapidly arriving relievers the Tigers would welcome to Comerica Park. In 13 games, 11 of them at West Michigan, Smith threw 31 innings, allowed 17 hits, struck out 38, and walked five. His ERA: 0.29. Opposing batting average: .156. WHIP: 0.71.
10. Drew Smith, RHP, age 22, 6-2, 190: Smith was part of the 2015 draft class that, if health holds up, might have helped re-stock a system that had gotten thin on arms. A third-round pick out of Dallas Baptist, Smith has a blowtorch for an arm and could be one of those rapidly arriving relievers the Tigers would welcome to Comerica Park. In 13 games, 11 of them at West Michigan, Smith threw 31 innings, allowed 17 hits, struck out 38, and walked five. His ERA: 0.29. Opposing batting average: .156. WHIP: 0.71.
Ralph Lauer, AP
11. Steven Moya, OF, age 24, 6-7, 260: There is the awesome power. And there are strikeouts to match. Which will it be for Moya, a left-handed batter who looks like the Penobscot Building when he steps to the plate? The Tigers understand a man of his height, with obvious challenges, could go either way as he prepares for a season at Triple-A Toledo. But they believe Moya is gaining in pitch recognition and that, even if he strikes out 170 times a season, his 30-homer potential is worth taking a long look, especially when Moya has speed and outfield skills.
11. Steven Moya, OF, age 24, 6-7, 260: There is the awesome power. And there are strikeouts to match. Which will it be for Moya, a left-handed batter who looks like the Penobscot Building when he steps to the plate? The Tigers understand a man of his height, with obvious challenges, could go either way as he prepares for a season at Triple-A Toledo. But they believe Moya is gaining in pitch recognition and that, even if he strikes out 170 times a season, his 30-homer potential is worth taking a long look, especially when Moya has speed and outfield skills.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
12.  A.J. Simcox, SS, age 21, 6-3, 185: He was Stewart’s teammate at Tennessee and down the line could very well rejoin him in Detroit. Simcox has a deft glove, makes good contact, and figures at the very least to work as a big-league backup, depending upon how his bat develops. That should be better gauged this season at Single-A Lakeland after Simcox, who bats right-handed, hit .330 (.762 OPS) in 49 games at three low (Rookie League and Single-A) stops last summer. The Tigers were relieved to have gotten Simcox when their ninth-round pick, Colorado prep shortstop Nick Shumpert, decided to play college ball.
12. A.J. Simcox, SS, age 21, 6-3, 185: He was Stewart’s teammate at Tennessee and down the line could very well rejoin him in Detroit. Simcox has a deft glove, makes good contact, and figures at the very least to work as a big-league backup, depending upon how his bat develops. That should be better gauged this season at Single-A Lakeland after Simcox, who bats right-handed, hit .330 (.762 OPS) in 49 games at three low (Rookie League and Single-A) stops last summer. The Tigers were relieved to have gotten Simcox when their ninth-round pick, Colorado prep shortstop Nick Shumpert, decided to play college ball.
Butch Dill, AP
13. Jairo Labourt, RHP, age 21, 6-4, 205: If he can find the strike zone with any frequency, the Tigers will make known why they insisted Labourt be part of last July’s trade of David Price to the Blue Jays. Labourt’s fastball has a kind of volcanic fury to it, which is how he strikes out nearly a man per inning. But he also averages a walk every two innings, which isn’t a ratio many big-league teams can abide. Still, because of his youth, and his raw power, the Tigers will let him incubate on the farm in 2016 and further assess what they might have gotten, beyond Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd, in last summer’s big trade.
13. Jairo Labourt, RHP, age 21, 6-4, 205: If he can find the strike zone with any frequency, the Tigers will make known why they insisted Labourt be part of last July’s trade of David Price to the Blue Jays. Labourt’s fastball has a kind of volcanic fury to it, which is how he strikes out nearly a man per inning. But he also averages a walk every two innings, which isn’t a ratio many big-league teams can abide. Still, because of his youth, and his raw power, the Tigers will let him incubate on the farm in 2016 and further assess what they might have gotten, beyond Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd, in last summer’s big trade.
John Minchillo, AP
14.  Mike Gerber, OF, age 23, 6-2, 175: Once in a while the draft kicks out a teens-round surprise. The Tigers got one in 2012 with Devon Travis (13th round, traded for Anthony Gose). They probably got another in Gerber, a left-handed batting Creighton product nabbed by the Tigers in the 15th round of the 2014 lottery. He’s done nothing but hit since the Tigers signed him, cooking up an .822 OPS (.292 batting average) in 135 games last season at Single-A West Michigan. He has to do it at the higher levels, of course, and could find his way to Double-A Erie in 2016, if his inspiring arc continues.
14. Mike Gerber, OF, age 23, 6-2, 175: Once in a while the draft kicks out a teens-round surprise. The Tigers got one in 2012 with Devon Travis (13th round, traded for Anthony Gose). They probably got another in Gerber, a left-handed batting Creighton product nabbed by the Tigers in the 15th round of the 2014 lottery. He’s done nothing but hit since the Tigers signed him, cooking up an .822 OPS (.292 batting average) in 135 games last season at Single-A West Michigan. He has to do it at the higher levels, of course, and could find his way to Double-A Erie in 2016, if his inspiring arc continues.
AP
15.  Anthony Pereira, SS, age 19, 6-0, 170: Pereira’s rank is all about age and upside. He has a chance to be a player in the lineage of Eugenio Suarez, a fellow Venezuelan whom the Tigers dealt to the Reds in 2014, much to Cincinnati’s delight. Pereira has size, lovely athleticism, and should develop power (he bats right-handed) as he adds crust and muscle to skills that make Pereira one to watch. If he follows script, the Tigers could be looking at a player who follows Suarez’s flight plan. If not, they’ll be saying hello to another Hernan Perez.
15. Anthony Pereira, SS, age 19, 6-0, 170: Pereira’s rank is all about age and upside. He has a chance to be a player in the lineage of Eugenio Suarez, a fellow Venezuelan whom the Tigers dealt to the Reds in 2014, much to Cincinnati’s delight. Pereira has size, lovely athleticism, and should develop power (he bats right-handed) as he adds crust and muscle to skills that make Pereira one to watch. If he follows script, the Tigers could be looking at a player who follows Suarez’s flight plan. If not, they’ll be saying hello to another Hernan Perez.
Cliff Welch, AP
Buck Farmer, RHP, age 25, 6-4, 225: He was in the battle for the fifth rotation spot until the last few weeks of camp, but he’s pitched well enough to be considered for a bullpen role. The Tigers could choose to keep him in the rotation at Toledo. He has added a cutter and went back to using his curveball, both with good results this spring.
Buck Farmer, RHP, age 25, 6-4, 225: He was in the battle for the fifth rotation spot until the last few weeks of camp, but he’s pitched well enough to be considered for a bullpen role. The Tigers could choose to keep him in the rotation at Toledo. He has added a cutter and went back to using his curveball, both with good results this spring.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
17. Zach Shepherd, 3B, age 20, 6-3, 185: Lots of questions abound about this Australia native, who was signed by the Tigers as a teenager in 2012. Can he play defense with sufficient grace to hang at third base? Or, is he a potential outfielder? Ultimately, of course, the Tigers are more concerned about a bat that shows potential, especially for a prospect so young and with a body styled to production. He’ll get a shot to show what he can do in 2016 during a long, hot Florida State League season at Single-A Lakeland. The Tigers, though, wouldn’t be shocked if Shepherd blooms.
17. Zach Shepherd, 3B, age 20, 6-3, 185: Lots of questions abound about this Australia native, who was signed by the Tigers as a teenager in 2012. Can he play defense with sufficient grace to hang at third base? Or, is he a potential outfielder? Ultimately, of course, the Tigers are more concerned about a bat that shows potential, especially for a prospect so young and with a body styled to production. He’ll get a shot to show what he can do in 2016 during a long, hot Florida State League season at Single-A Lakeland. The Tigers, though, wouldn’t be shocked if Shepherd blooms.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
18. Spencer Turnbull, RHP, age 23, 6-3, 215: If you’re grabbed from an SEC school (Alabama) in the second round of a big-league draft (2014), tools and talent generally speak for themselves. Turnbull has potential as one of those No. 4 or No. 5 starters who, of course, are as valuable on a percentage basis as top-of-the-rotation thoroughbreds. Turnbull walks a few too many batters (most of the reason behind a 1.35 WHIP last season at Single-A West Michigan). But he has enough talent to pitch in the big leagues. A reassuring year at Lakeland in 2016 would all but confirm it.
18. Spencer Turnbull, RHP, age 23, 6-3, 215: If you’re grabbed from an SEC school (Alabama) in the second round of a big-league draft (2014), tools and talent generally speak for themselves. Turnbull has potential as one of those No. 4 or No. 5 starters who, of course, are as valuable on a percentage basis as top-of-the-rotation thoroughbreds. Turnbull walks a few too many batters (most of the reason behind a 1.35 WHIP last season at Single-A West Michigan). But he has enough talent to pitch in the big leagues. A reassuring year at Lakeland in 2016 would all but confirm it.
Phil Sears, AP
19. Adam Ravenelle, RHP, age 23, 6-3, 185: An argument could be made that Ravenelle ranks higher than 19th. But he ranks first among Tigers prospects who had tough luck in 2015. He was sick (awful virus), and missed all kinds of time, and only late in the season did he begin to get his body back as he finished with a string of scoreless innings at West Michigan. It was then that a fourth-round pick from Vanderbilt (2014) began to show some of the stuff seen during Vandy’s 2014 College World Series victory.
19. Adam Ravenelle, RHP, age 23, 6-3, 185: An argument could be made that Ravenelle ranks higher than 19th. But he ranks first among Tigers prospects who had tough luck in 2015. He was sick (awful virus), and missed all kinds of time, and only late in the season did he begin to get his body back as he finished with a string of scoreless innings at West Michigan. It was then that a fourth-round pick from Vanderbilt (2014) began to show some of the stuff seen during Vandy’s 2014 College World Series victory.
Dave Weaver, AP
20. Kade Scivicque, C, age 22, 6-0, 225: The Tigers have done a neat job during the past decade drafting that most difficult of prospects to seize, catchers. They either have landed jobs in Detroit (Alex Avila, Bryan Holaday, James McCann), or they’ve been dealt for reasonable returns (Curt Casali, Rob Brantly, etc.). They probably got another poker chip of meaningful value in Scivicque, an LSU alum and right-handed batter, who after signing last season (fourth round), batted .406 at Single-A Connecticut before cooling down at West Michigan. He’s more of a hitter, perhaps, than a gifted defender. But the Tigers know a catcher’s value and plan on Scivicque at least offering important options.
20. Kade Scivicque, C, age 22, 6-0, 225: The Tigers have done a neat job during the past decade drafting that most difficult of prospects to seize, catchers. They either have landed jobs in Detroit (Alex Avila, Bryan Holaday, James McCann), or they’ve been dealt for reasonable returns (Curt Casali, Rob Brantly, etc.). They probably got another poker chip of meaningful value in Scivicque, an LSU alum and right-handed batter, who after signing last season (fourth round), batted .406 at Single-A Connecticut before cooling down at West Michigan. He’s more of a hitter, perhaps, than a gifted defender. But the Tigers know a catcher’s value and plan on Scivicque at least offering important options.
Gerald Herbert, AP