The Quarter Century Lineups: Part One — Toledo and Erie
A quarter-century of Tigers baseball isn’t just measured by box scores in Detroit. It’s written in the towns and ballparks where the next wave learned how to play the game in the minor leagues, from Toledo’s glass-city grind to Erie’s chilly spring nights on the bay. Over the past twenty-five seasons, the Tigers’ farm system has produced its share of sluggers, sleepers, and cornerstones. Some went on to All-Star careers, others became afterthoughts of what could of been potential.
This three-part series looks back at each level of the Tigers’ minor-league chain, starting with Toledo (Triple-A) and Erie (Double-A) before shifting to West Michigan, Lakeland, and short season ball teams like Oneonta and Connecticut Tigers and finally closing with strong starting pitchers and relievers who may of stood out for a season to get a MLB gig or not.
While this is a look through the lens of stats and performance, everyone has their own version of a “starting nine.” If you followed these teams, covered them, or remember that one summer where someone couldn’t stop hitting, let us know who you’d slot into your own lineup. The fun of a project like this isn’t just in the numbers, it’s in the memories, the moments, and the debates that come with them.
To keep things consistent, each “Starting 9” follows a simple rule set: players must have logged a meaningful season at that affiliate (roughly half a year or more), made a notable impact on the field, and shown the kind of growth that pushed them closer to Detroit. One additional factor in these choices is age relative to level. In the minors, a 21-year-old posting solid numbers against older competition often carries more weight than a seasoned 27-year-old with similar stats. Developmental context matters just as much as production.
It’s not just about who hit the most home runs, it’s about who had a strong impact.
Toledo Mud Hens: The Final Proving Ground
For twenty-five years, Toledo has been the Tigers’ last test before Detroit, a place where veterans chased one more call-up and prospects proved they were ready for Comerica Park. The best Mud Hens teams mirrored the Tigers’ peaks, the 2005 and 2006 International League champions and the 2022 playoff group, blending experience with young firepower.
When comparing players, age mattered here more than at any other level. A 22-year-old like Colt Keith holding his own against Triple-A pitching meant something different from a 29-year-old minor-league veteran on a rehab stint. The names that fill this “Quarter Century” lineup earned their way by production, presence, and projection, hitters who turned Fifth Third Field into a launching pad and left the coaching staff convinced they belonged in the big leagues.
Toledo Mud Hens Quarter Century Lineup:
C: 2024 — Dillon Dingler, 71 games, .308/.379/.559, 17 HR, 52 RBI
1B: 2002 — Eric Munson, 136 games, .262/.367/.493, 24 HR, 84 RBI
2B: 2009 — Scott Sizemore, 71 games, .308/.389/.472, 9 HR, 33 RBI
3B: 2023 — Colt Keith, 67 games, .287/.369/.521, 13 HR, 51 RBI
SS: 2019 — Willi Castro, 119 games, .301/.366/.467, 11 HR, 62 RBI
RF: 2016 — Steven Moya, 97 games, .284/.310/.501, 20 HR, 66 RBI
CF: 2005 — Curtis Granderson, 111 games, .290/.359/.515, 15 HR, 65 RBI
LF: 2013 — Nick Castellanos, 134 games, .276/.343/.450, 18 HR, 76 RBI
DH: 2003 — Cody Ross, 124 games, .287/.333/.515, 20 HR, 61 RBI
Context Notes:
Dingler’s 2024 season wasn’t just a breakout, it was validation, proof he could handle Triple-A arms while refining his approach. Colt Keith’s half-season at age 21 showcased mature at-bats and easy power that previewed his future role in Detroit. Granderson and Castellanos headline the list as two players who turned their Toledo time into launching pads for long big-league careers. Moya’s raw power and Ross’s consistency reflected the Mud Hens’ long-standing blend of youth and veterans who defined the modern era of Toledo baseball.
Erie SeaWolves: Where Prospects Break Through
If Toledo represents readiness, Erie has always been revelation. Double-A is where tools turn into talent, and the SeaWolves have seen their share of future Tigers sharpen those edges, from Curtis Granderson’s power surge in 2004 to Riley Greene’s all-around polish in 2021. Championship runs, breakout summers, and the unmistakable jump that turns a name into a headline have all come through UPMC Park.
Age here carried weight too, since Erie often marks the level where young players prove they belong among true prospects. A 21-year-old holding steady against upper-level pitching regularly signals future success, and several names on this list made their mark early in their careers. The players below didn’t just put up numbers, they announced themselves to the organization and, in some cases, to the league. They were the defining bats and gloves of Erie’s quarter-century.
Erie SeaWolves Quarter Century Lineup:
C: 2001 — Mike Rivera, 112 games, .289/.368/.578, 33 HR, 101 RBI
1B: 2007 — Jeff Larish, 132 games, .267/.390/.515, 28 HR, 101 RBI
2B: 2014 — Devon Travis, 100 games, .298/.358/.460, 10 HR, 52 RBI
3B: 2005 — Don Kelly, 82 games, .340/.402/.508, 9 HR, 54 RBI
SS: 2001 — Omar Infante, 132 games, .302/.355/.367, 2 HR, 62 RBI, 163 hits
OF: 2004 — Curtis Granderson, 123 games, .303/.407/.515, 21 HR, 93 RBI
OF: 2022 — Kerry Carpenter, 63 games, .304/.359/.646, 22 HR, 48 RBI
OF: 2014 — Steven Moya, 133 games, .276/.306/.555, 35 HR, 105 RBI
DH: 2021 — Riley Greene, 84 games, .298/.381/.525, 16 HR, 54 RBI
Context Notes:
Mike Rivera’s 2001 campaign remains one of the most dominant offensive seasons in Erie’s history, especially for a catcher but overall, that is one position the Tigers have seemed to develop actual MLB players from. Devon Travis brought contact and consistency at a premium position, while Don Kelly’s .340 average in 2005 showed he could do more than just play everywhere; he could flat-out hit. Kerry Carpenter’s 2022 run was one of the best pure power stretches the Eastern League has seen in recent memory, and Riley Greene’s 2021 season at age 20 was the true arrival of Detroit’s next centerpiece.
Crossover and Honorable Mentions
It’s worth noting that both Steven Moya and Curtis Granderson appear on the lists for Toledo and Erie, a testament to how both players dominated multiple levels on their way up. Granderson’s all-around game translated seamlessly from Double-A to the big leagues, while Moya’s raw power turned him into one of the organization’s most feared minor-league sluggers of the 2010s, however, it also showed the lack of ability until recently the Tigers turning numbers that Moya produced into a big league regular.
There’s also a case to be made for players who just missed the cut, like Andy Dirks and his strong 2010 campaign in Toledo or Mike Gerber’s 2017 season, or Jacob Robson, when he was among the system’s most productive outfielders. Every list like this leaves out a few deserving names, but that’s part of the fun.
Special thanks to Chris Brown, whose meticulous work compiling the data and rosters made this project possible. His database provided the backbone for comparing seasons across eras and levels, giving context to just how deep the Tigers’ system has been at times over the past 25 years.
Up Next: West Michigan and Lakeland:
Part Two highlights short season ball, and a few names you haven’t heard from in quite sometime.
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Chris Brown 
Jerry McKennan