by Benny K

The Detroit Tigers saw many pitchers in their farm system make names for themselves over the course of the 2022 season. Some guys were relatively unknown, such as Brant Hurter while others were high draft picks with high pedigrees like Ty Madden. 

The recent success that Detroit has had with developing pitching leads me to believe that the Tigers will have another batch of successful seasons coming from the guys who man the rubber. I have challenged myself to find out who those breakout players will be. 

It’s extremely hard to predict what players will break out. Who would’ve thought an undrafted right hander out of Arizona Western College would become a top 100 prospect… not me. That player was Wilmer Flores, by the way. 

Carlos Marcano, RHP

Marcano is not only the youngest player on this list, but he was also the 2nd youngest pitcher to appear in the Florida State League to throw over 20 innings. The Tigers inked Marcano to a minor league deal in the 2021 international free agent class, the same one that featured Cristian Santana. He spent all of last year in high A Lakeland at just 18 years old.(4 years younger than the average FSL player) He held his own, posting a 4.68 ERA with a 3.54 FIP over 42.1 inning coming out of the bullpen. 

Pitcher Carlos Marcano is one of the youngest players in the Florida State League. He got himself into trouble with two walks, but he rolls up a double play here. Nicely turned by Manuel Sequera and Cristian Santana. pic.twitter.com/aXp2dcJdmB

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 13, 2022

The Venezuelan native actually possesses a really good arsenal for being 18 and 19 years old last season. His repertoire includes a sinker/fastball, two breaking balls, and a changeup. The fastball/sinker is his primary pitch that sits in the low 90s and tops out at 96. Batters chased the pitch 38% of the time, which led to a lot of soft contact and ground balls. The two breaking balls are a curveball and a slider. Both pitches have below average spin rates, but still played well last year. The slider posted a 54% whiff rate, while the curveball posted a 36%.

Marcano also showed a good feel for his changeup too. Yes, batters whiffed 41% of the time on it, but what sticks out to me is that it was tied with his fastball for the highest strike rate in his arsenal. It is rare to see a teenager with this good of a feel for a changeup. It is also worth noting that his control for an 18-19-year-old was really really good, just 3.89 walks per 9 in 2022.

He is listed at 6’2, 150 pounds… and throws mid 90s. If he can grow into his body a little, which I’m sure he will, the Tigers may really have something here. Whether he will stay in the bullpen or transition into starter is in the air right now with how young he is. Obviously, it is really hard to project a player with this profile, but I think he’s shown more than enough control and pitch ability to potentially be a starter some day. There is so much to dream on with Marcano, but there is a lot of development to be done. 

Troy Melton, RHP

Melton, a 4th round pick in the 2022 MLB draft out of San Diego State, appeared in just 2 games for Lakeland after signing with the Tigers right at slot value ($517,900). It’s hard to take much away from just 2 starts at such a low level, but a 95.5 average fastball velocity is eye opening.

When you look at the recent successes of Detroit’s ability to develop college arms drafted in the middle-late rounds such as Brant Hurter, Austin Bergner, and Beau Brieske, I see a good chance for Melton to fall in line. Like I mentioned earlier, his mid to high 90s fastball projects Melton to be a power pitcher. Although a go-to put away pitch is not yet present, I think it’s an area that will show improvement. 

Melton probably projects as a bullpen arm as of now. The lack of an arsenal hurts his ability to be a starter at the major league level. However, if he can probably see an uptick in velocity and add a good secondary pitch, he will have himself a decent career as a relief pitcher.

Keider Montero, RHP

Montero was one of the many players signed in Detroit’s international free agent class of 2016. The 22-year-old spent all of last year in high A West Michigan for the second straight year. There, he struggled with command but not strike throwing, which is encouraging for a young kid with such a strong arm. Montero had a forgettable year, starting in 25 games while pitching to a 4.51 ERA and a 4.43 FIP. 

While Montero has a solid fastball that sits low to mid-90s occasionally flashing 97, his curveball is his best pitch. Pitch data is not currently available for his curve but it is a very high spin pitch that can touch 3000 RPM. A player such as Montero with a decently hard fastball and a high spin breaking ball should realistically post a higher strikeout rate than just 23% which is why he is a potential breakout candidate. The more bats he can miss, the better he will be.

One thing about Keider Montero, he has a very nice breaking ball. This is one of the nastier ones he’s thrown tonight. pic.twitter.com/1xtF0UNeMZ

— Trevor Hooth (@HoothTrevor) August 5, 2022

I was actually lucky enough to see Montero pitch twice last year, once in Lansing and once in Midland. My takeaway was: good stuff (his breaking ball was disgusting in real life) but his command needs work. But that is the case for many young pitchers. A bullpen role is likely in Montero’s long-term future. But if he improves a third pitch, he could be a back end of the rotation arm. I’m curious to see where he starts the 2023 season.