Tigers Minor League Recap – 4/30

Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A)

Final: Worchester 1 – Toledo 2

Top Performer(s):

Brewer Hicklen, RF-CF — 2-for-5, 2B, HR, R, BB
Hao-Yu Lee, 2B — 1-for-3, HR, R, RBI, BB, SB
Jahmai Jones, LF — 0-for-2, 2 BB, SB

Wilkel Hernandez — 5.0 IP, 4 hits, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Another very good start from Wilkel tonight, averaging almost 95 MPH on his fastball and getting 14 called strikes tonight.

Game notes:

Toledo scored their runs early tonight thanks to back-to-back home runs from Brewer Hicklen and Hao-Yu Lee. Brewer added in a double as well. Wilkel Hernandez had his second straight start of 5 IP and 0 runs allowed, third straight allowing 1 run or fewer.

Hao-Yu Lee goes deep to right center for his 2nd home run of the season. pic.twitter.com/5rpjFjs4GL

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 30, 2025

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Lael Lockhart (0-2, 4.94 ERA) vs Shane Drohan (2-0, 0.96 ERA)

Erie SeaWolves (Double-A)

Final: Binghamton 3 – Erie 2

Top Performer(s):

Roberto Campos, DH — 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI
Max Anderson, 2B — 2-for-4
Brady Allen, RF — 1-for-3, 2B, R, BB, SB

RJ Petit/Drew Sommers — 2.0 IP, 1 hits, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 Ks each. The bullpen helped keep the game in reach despite the loss. Both Petit and Sommers had identical lines following up Jaden Hamm.

Game Notes:

Jaden Hamm had his best AA start since his first of the season only giving up 3 runs and striking out 5. Roberto Campos followed his 3 hit day yesterday with his first home run for the Seawolves as they lose by 1 today.

Congrats to Roberto Campos, who goes to deep center, 105.9 MPH on his first home run in Double-A to put @erie_seawolves on the board. pic.twitter.com/7hlxuGK6M2

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 30, 2025

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Carlos Pena (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Nolan McLean (2-1, 1.77 ERA)

West Michigan Whitecaps (High-A)

Final: Wisconsin 4 – West Michigan 2

Top Performer(s):

Josue Briceño, C — 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, BB
Andrew Jenkins, 1B — 1-for-4, RBI

Preston Howey — 2.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 Ks. Preston Howey went 2 innings, giving up no runs and throwing just 26 pitches. He’s dropped his ERA to 0.82 on the year.

Game Notes:

The Whitecaps gave up 4 runs in the second and couldn’t recover tonight as Beau Brieske starts the game on a rehab start. Because of that, the Whitecaps had to use 6 pitchers. They couldn’t get much going offensively and lose today.

Josue Briceño just misses an oppo homer, but settles for a leadoff double in the 8th. pic.twitter.com/6zFcTxQlHP

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 30, 2025

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Carlos Marcano (0-1, 4.80 ERA) vs Chandler Welch (0-1, 5.89 ERA)

Lakeland Flying Tigers (Single-A)

Final: Daytona 1 – Lakeland 5

Top Performer(s):

Jackson Strong, CF — 1-for-3, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB
Nomar Fana, RF — 0-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB, SB
Patrick Lee, LF —2-for-4, RBI

Lucas Elissalt — 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K. First start for the Tigers, Lucas gave them 4.0 IP and held Dayton to just one run while getting 6 Ks. Was his best showing of the season.

Game Notes:

The Flying Tigers held a 2-1 lead for most of the game tonight until Jackson Strong drove in 3 on his first HR of the season. Combined, the staff was able to get 10 Ks and let just 5 base runners on, just one of which was an XBH. Thomas Bruss earned the win tonight, upping his scoreless streak to 8.2 IP to start the season.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: TBD vs Juan Martinez (0-1, 2.70 ERA)