Welcome to the MLB, Mr. Maybin
posted in 2007 season, roster moves |Top prospect Cameron Maybin will be promoted to the Tigers, the Freep reported. Jon Paul Morosi did not know the corresponding move, but reported Maybin is already in New York.
I did not see this one coming. (I know enough to disregard what the Tigers actually say in the media about roster moves, as GM Dave Dombrowski denied the possibility earlier in the week, but I simply didn’t see it coming!) Is he ready? Who even knows. In just his second year of pro ball, he’s got to be pretty raw. But he did tear up Double-AA pitching to the tune of four home runs and a 1.500+ OPS in six games.
The move certainly gives Jim Leyland an interesting tool. Maybin is fast on the basepaths. He plays good defense. He can probably help Detroit off the bench and give guys some rest. Most importantly, this move makes his eligible for the postseason roster if he sticks the rest of the month.
Is this a temporary move due to illness and Marcus Thames’ hamstring or is this for real? I doubt the corresponding move involves Ryan Raburn or Marcus Thames. Both are too valuable. Raburn gives Detroit an infielder and outfielder who is batting great, as does Thames. Thames, by the way, limped a bit after running out a grounder, but remained in the game and appeared fine. So I think this may be the end of Craig Monroe’s time in the D. But we’ll have to see. He’s certainly struggled enough.
It’s pretty exciting, yet still curious, and I don’t think we should expect too much out of Maybin just yet. As cool as it would be if he did to the MLB what he did to Double-A, it’s got to be unlikely. But, who knows, teenage superstars (ok, so he’s a few months over 20, but still) have to start somewhere.
Credit to the Ashville Citizen-Times for the first report and the family’s perspective. (hat-tip Knobler)
Update: Monroe was DFA’d. More here.
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[...] Knobler is all over this story of Cameron Maybin’s promotion and the moves required to make it [...]