With Double-A Erie, High-A West Michigan and Low-A Lakeland kicking off the season on Thursday and Friday, here are a few storylines you should be paying attention to early on this season. For Friday, we will preview Lakeland and catching up with the Mud Hens.
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Erie SeaWolves: Pitching Depth
The SeaWolves starting pitching staff is the most prospect heavy of the four affiliates. Right-handers Wilmer Flores (number 3 on our Top 25) and Ty Madden (#6) return to Erie, along with veteran Sawyer Gipson-Long, who the Tigers acquired at the trade line for Michael Fulmer. Brant Hurler (#24), who finished his season in Erie after starting the year in Lakeland, will be the lone lefty in the rotation. Dylan Smith, (#20) fills out the final spot in the rotation.
Originally, we projected Flores to start the season in Toledo, but with the signings of Ashton Goudeau and Brenan Hanifee, this will allow more time for Flores to develop his third pitch, a changeup. The bullpen has a few familiar faces that SeaWolves should know. Chance Kirby returns after a strong season for the SeaWolves.
Wow. Chance Kirby has been outstanding today, but he loses his no-hitter in the 6th inning when Andrew Daschbach hits runner Andres Angulo with a batted ball. Kirby completed the inning, and the @erie_seawolves still lead 3-0. pic.twitter.com/V2bUdNoSTP
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) September 4, 2022
He was one of the SeaWolves best pitchers in the second half of the season. He held righties to just a slash line of .190/ .227/ .354 between the bullpen and the starting rotation. Yaya Chentouf, Dario Gardea, Billy Lescher and Adam Wolf return and two new faces in left-hander Jake Higginbotham, who Detroit picked up in the Joe Jimenez trade and Layne Henderson, who the Tigers drafted in the minor league Rule 5 draft.
In the Triple-A phase of the R5 draft the Tigers took RHP Layne Henderson. Relief prospect, funky delivery. pic.twitter.com/Zrl2LDd2HG
— Trevor Hooth (@HoothTrevor) December 8, 2022
The SeaWolves on the hitting side, have one of the better hitting prospects in the system in Colt Keith. Keith, who is number one on our Top 25, made an impression on A.J. Hinch in the spring.
“We had our player meeting with him and emphasized that his approach currently works,” Hinch said in spring training. “So now it’s [about] experience and facing better pitchers as he goes across the Minor Leagues, and then continuing to chip away at whatever defensive positions he can play.
“We know the one place he’s going to be comfortable in his first big league camp is the batter’s box.”
Rounding out the rest of the infield is Gage Workman, Trei Cruz, Corey Joyce, Jake Holton and John Valente. Behind the plate, Dillon Dingler, who will start the season on the IL, is joined by Julio Rodriguez and Mario Feliciano. Feliciano, who played briefly with the Brewers, may see starts at first base.
Rounding out the outfield are Daniel Cabrera, Bryant Packard, Diego Rincones and Grant Witherspoon. Rincones is a minor league free agent who comes over from the Giants system, and Witherspoon was just picked up in a trade from Tampa.
West Michigan Whitecaps: Older and wiser
We had a chance to go out to West Michigan’s media day on Wednesday. Two of the top Tigers infield prospects in Jace Jung and Izaac Pacheco are not only a part of the Whitecaps infield, they are also roommates. They both appeared at the same with the Whitecaps when Pacheco got the call up from Lakeland and Jung made his pro debut in Lansing.
On Wednesday, they spoke to the media and discussed one of the biggest changes since Harris has taken over was one simple thing. The food.
Izaac Pacheco and Jace Jung talking about the biggest difference in the system since Scott Harris has taken over. pic.twitter.com/IultXyjyYH
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 5, 2023
The Whitecaps’ offense will also feature Roberto Campos, the 19-year-old outfielder prospect from Cuba. He was among the league leaders in the Florida State League in hardest hit balls. The goal for Campos this season is to take that and turn them into fly balls. Another adjustment to look out for is how he hits against advanced pitching.
Rounding out the rest of the West Michigan roster are a few arms who saw time in Double-A last season. Wilkel Hernandez, who last pitched for the Whitecaps in 2018 and 2019, makes his return after missing time because of Tommy John surgery. With Toledo being so top heavy, the trickle-down effect was several pitchers, like Andrew Mango, Carlos Pena and Keider Montero. Instead of starting the season in Erie, will be back in High-A. The same for infielders like Danny Serretti and Luis Garcia.
A new face in the infield is Dillon Paulson. Acquired for cash from Tampa in March, Paulson is familiar with the Midwest League. He spent time with the Great Lakes Loons back in 2019.
Both Erie and West Michigan have several can’t miss Tigers’ prospects that should help both teams stay competitive in their respective leagues. Check out the prospects on our noteworthy prospect list that may make some noise soon.
Here's the Whitecaps roster in graphic form. https://t.co/R6wYu0cc1Y pic.twitter.com/RYNVkXKJ0W
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 2, 2023
Jerry McKennan