It’s TMLR Mailbag time!

Welcome to our first Detroit Tigers Minor League Report mailbag for 2022! On Monday’s TMLR podcast, we answered questions so you can check it out by clicking on the link here.

Here is the rest of our first Tigers Minor League Report weekly mailbag for 2022.

Ty Madden’s progression

@tigersMLreport Any concerns with Madden and his rate of giving up homers? He has given up 8 so far this season. I saw the high mark for a full season since 2005 was 15 in 2017 by Alfred Gutierrez. Is this a concern or someone working on pitches/mechanics?

— Michael Mayer (@keyser343) May 30, 2022

CB: We don’t think it’s a cause for concern just yet. Ty Madden is still getting acclimated to pro ball, and he’s also getting used to his new throwing mechanics. The Detroit Tigers lowered his arm angle, which used to be nearly over the top in college, and the early results were great. But as the season has continued, we’ve seen his control falter a bit, and his stuff has taken a small step back. He was touching 97-98 in his first few outings, but now he’s mostly topping out at 95.

But again, this is all a part of the development process Madden is just beginning. Recall that home runs were an enormous red flag for Alex Faedo when he first reached Double-A back in 2018 (15 in 60IP), but since then he’s allowed home runs at a completely average rate, including in his 5 big-league starts. And then there’s Tarik Skubal, who gave up 35 home runs in 2021, but is currently on pace to allow about 10 home runs this year.

Ty Madden has a big-league arm, and that’s a great place to start for any pitcher. But he’ll have plenty of hurdles to clear to reach the highest level, and home runs, and the first might just be homers in High-A. – CB

Based on the start I saw him pitch in Lansing,  Madden could be working on something specific Detroit has asked him to do. He threw more off-speed than fastballs, including early in counts. Detroit has each pitcher on their own plan, so that could be the case. I agree with Chris, I am not too concerned, just perhaps trying to figure out how to pitch at this level. -RC

The rise of Kerry Carpenter

Kerry Carpenter played well last year in Erie. But this year, he’s at a whole other level. What has been the difference? Approach, stance, swing? When does he get called up to Triple A? What’s his ceiling as a MLB prospect?

— Scott (@MIScott68) May 30, 2022

We took a trip to Erie recently and spoke with manager Gabe Alvarez, who told us Carpenter made a swing change from last year. Rogelio pored over a bunch of video looking for signs of a change, and then he wrote a story about it (link). Our friend Trevor Hooth did as well. (Link) Any changes he made appear to be rather subtle, but it’s nice to point to that as a reason for his power explosion.

His ceiling as an MLB prospect is probably as an emergency bench bat. It’s certainly fun to watch what he’s doing in the minors, but as a prospect, his package of tools is somewhat reminiscent of Christin Stewart. Carpenter has similar raw power, but he’s a corner-only defender who isn’t going to provide much value on defense or on the bases. And unfortunately, Carpenter lacks Stewart’s discerning eye at the plate, as well as his status of a high draft pick.-CB

Detroit signed two minor league outfield free agent outfielders in Brendan Davis and Trayon Thompson for Toledo. If that indicates where Carpenter is in the pecking order, I am not sure what else is. The walk rate is where I give pause as it is just 7% and his strikeout rate is near 30%. As a defender, he is adequate but I think his ceiling is 4th outfielder/bench bat. -RC

Kody Clemens is number 7.

With the call up of Kody Clemens, the Detroit Tigers have now seven players who have made their major league debut. The list:

• Angel De Jesus
• Joey Wentz
• Alex Faedo
• Elvin Rodriguez
• Spencer Torkelson
• Beau Brieske