Tigers minor-league report: Collins struggling at Toledo
TRIPLE A TOLEDO
Who’s hot …
Chad Huffman, 1B: A bit grizzled as prospects go, at age 31, and he has a smidgen of big league experience (nine games with the Yankees in 2010), but Huffman is still at it, and playing fruitfully for the Mud Hens. He’s batting .322 on the season, with a .989 OPS, and six home runs. In his last 10 games he’s hitting .350. Huffman, who is 6-1, 215, and bats right-handed, was a second-round pick by the Padres in 2006 following a career at Texas Christian.
And who’s not …
Tyler Collins, OF: Not much happening at the moment for Collins, who is batting .194 in 24 games for the Mud Hens in 2016, and .200 since he returned to Toledo earlier this month after another stint with the Tigers.
Jones slugging on the fast track at Double A Erie
DOUBLE A ERIE
Who’s hot …
Jeff McVaney, OF: .324 in his last 10 games and .302 on the season for McVaney, an eighth-round pick by the Tigers in 2012 (Texas State). McVaney, 26, bats right-handed.
Harold Castro, 2B: Doing nicely at Erie after a series of uneven previous seasons. Castro, 22, is hitting .300 in his last 10 games. He bats left-handed and was signed by the Tigers out of Caracas, Venezuela.
Myles Jaye, RH starter: Threw a gem of a game Saturday against Richmond (eight innings, four hits, one run) and in his last three starts has allowed only four runs in 21 innings. Jaye was the Tigers’ primary compensation when Bobby Wilson was traded back to the Rangers. He is 24, is 6-3, 170, and was a 17th-round pick by the Blue Jays in 2010.
And who’s not …
Dean Green, 1B/DH: Unusual for Green to hit a cold spell. But that’s been true of late as Green has slumped to .190 in his last 10 games. Green is 26, was drafted by the Tigers in 2011 (11th round, Barry University), bats left-handed, and is large indeed: 6-4, 255.
SINGLE A LAKELAND
Who’s hot …
Grayson Greiner, C: Really turning into a big season for Greiner, a third-round grab by the Tigers in 2014 (South Carolina). He’s at .333 in his last 10 games and .296 on the season. Greiner is a tall one — 6-6 — and bats right-handed.
Jeff Thompson, RH pitcher: Has been a bit overlooked, all because of strike-zone issues. Thompson, who is 6-6, 245, is in his third full season after the Tigers drafted him out of Louisville (third round) in 2013. He has pitched in 10 games, four of them starts, and has a 1.95 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and .186 opposing batting average in 37 innings. The numbers: 24 hits, 33 strikeouts, and here’s the issue — 20 walks. Thompson, though, has walked only one batter in his last 8⅔ innings.
And who’s not …
Zach Shepherd, 3B: He’s only 20, so his tough spring isn’t a mortal wound. But the Tigers thought Lakeland would be a happier experience thus far for Shepherd, a right-handed batter who is 6-3, 185, and who was signed out of Australia. Shepherd is batting .111 in his last 10 games and .190 for the season.
SINGLE A WEST MICHIGAN
Who’s hot …
Jose Azocar, CF: Hasn’t had many lulls through the season’s first 43 games. Azocar is batting .308 and playing spectacularly well in the outfield. He turned 20 earlier this month, is 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, and was signed four years ago out of Venezuela.
Matt Hall, LH starter: Has a chance to take that curveball many levels higher. Hall continues to destroy the Midwest League, with a 5-0 record, 0.81 ERA, and 0.99 WHIP. His breakdown: 441/3 innings, 31 hits, four earned runs, 50 strikeouts, and 13 walks.
And who’s not …
The Whitecaps have been behaving in generally exemplary fashion of late.