Arizona Fall League Update
posted in minors |So, it’s been awhile, how have the minor league Tigers done so far in Arizona? Here’s a look at how six of the Phoenix Desert Dogs have done so far.
- Hitting
3B Kody Kirkland of AA Erie is doing the best of the Tigers on the Phoenix Desert Dogs. He has a .311 / 418 / 578 avg/obp/slugging trinity in 45 at-bats. He’s also got 17 strikeouts to 6 walks (Man, is this an organization-wide theme or what?) and seven extra-base hits including two homers. I think Detroit would really like this 23-year-old to turn out, both because Brandon Inge can be a free agent in two years, and because the organization lacks for position players in the minors.
Part time Tiger, part time Seawolf, OF Brent Clevlen is also doing well, but not great: .265/ .390 / .347. 19Ks, 9 walks, in 49 at-bats. Hmm. Not really a good sign. After taking on the likes of Johan Santana and hitting a memorable home run or two in the majors, you’d like to see him seeing the ball better right now.
Toledo catcher Mike Rabelo has seen limited action.
- Pitching
Toledo starter (and Detroit reliever) Jordan Tata has seven strikeouts, five walks, seven hits and six runs (three earned) in 10 innings. Not great, not bad. Not a lot of innings to judge from is really the main point to remember in this hitters’ league. Tata’s a good prospect.
Erie’s Virgil Vasquez has put together a mixed Autumn following a decent regular season. He’s got 11 strikeouts and three walks in 10-2/3 innings. He allowed eight runs and nine hits in his first appearance, making his ERA look crazy, but in the next two starts (nine innings) he threw shutout ball. Oct. 20, he allowed one hit in five innings while striking out six, for instance. I’d put his name away in my mind. A 24-year-old in a pitching rich organization, he’s probably in Arizona to showcase or to help the Tigers decide just what exactly his future is. He’s not a blue chipper, but some organization may want him in a trade.
26-year-old Preston Larrison of Erie has just not been impressive.
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