Detroit Tigers Top-15 Prospects of 2010, No’s 6 – 15

ALSO SEE – Tigers Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Grades are based on a prospect’s projected value over the course of his career and how likely it is that prospect will fulfill his projected value. Various factors are accounted for including upside, red flags, actual performance, and closeness to the majors. See the 2010 Prospect Primer for more information as it relates to prospect grading and philosophy.

Hitters must have 100 or fewer Major League ABs to qualify for this list. Starting pitchers must have 50 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Relief pitchers must have 25 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Ages are listed as of May 1st, 2010. Levels are based on the highest level in which a prospect played in 2009. All grades are subject to change based on any new information I receive before the season starts.

If you need to reach me in any way, please contact me via e-mail or post a comment at the bottom of the page and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. The first two prospects are available for everybody to read.

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Player Grades
Contact – 50 Now | 55/60 Future
Power – 40 | 45
Discipline – 55 | 55
Speed – 50 | 50
Defense – 50 | 50/55
Arm – 50 | 50
Instincts – 60 | 60
ETA – 2010
Final Grade – B-/B

Body Type – Not particularly tall or athletic

Scouting Report

After a couple of solid, but unspectacular seasons in Detroit’s farm system, Scott Sizemore broke out in 2009 by posting a .933 OPS in Double-A Erie and an .846 OPS in Triple-A Toledo.

The second baseman doesn’t have a standout tool, but he does a lot of things well and his skills play up because he’s a smart player with a good approach to what he does.

Sizemore’s best attribute is his plate discipline though he’s not what I’d call a really high contact hitter. He does have good pitch recognition and hand-eye coordination, which allows him to consistently put the bat head square on the ball.

Swing Mechanics

*Credit to goerievideo

Sizemore employs a pretty short swing, but still has the necessary loading of the hands to produce some power. He should have enough power to hit 10 – 15 home runs annually in the big leagues. Sizemore hits off his front foot, and he gets in trouble when he gets too far out in front.

Sizemore is nothing special defensively, but he gets the job done and should have no problem staying at second base. While Sizemore is only an average runner, he still managed to steal 21 bases in 25 attempts because of very good instincts on the base paths.

Best Case Outcome – Slightly above average everyday second baseman

More Likely Outcome – Average everyday second baseman

Player Grades
Contact – 35 Now | 55 Future
Power – 40 | 55
Discipline – 35 | 50
Speed – 60 | 55
Defense – 45 | 55
Arm – 55 | 55
Instincts – 40 | 60
ETA – 2015
Final Grade – B-/C+

Body Type – Very athletic and very projectable with a lot of room to fill out

Scouting Report

Dropping in the draft because of signability concerns, Daniel Fields was scooped up by his home town team in the 6th round of last year’s draft. Despite, being a son of a Major League coach, Fields is still a raw product on the field. However, his tools are evident.

Defensively, he moves well with smooth actions, soft hands, and good footwork. His arm also grades out well. It’s expected that once Fields fills out his frame, he’ll be too big for the position, setting up a possible move to third base or center field. I suppose they could also move him to a corner outfield spot, but his bat wouldn’t have as much value.

At the plate, Fields starts out by slightly rocking back on a bent back leg before striding forward. He efficiently carries his weight forward and turns his hands and hips together on a firm front leg, while maintaining a short swing in the process.

*Credit to the MLB Scouting Bureau

One thing I noticed in his BP swings was that he would get handsy and he really didn’t keep the bat head in the hitting zone for a long period of time. So he has some things to work on, but he doesn’t require a swing overhaul as he gives Detroit’s coaches some good things to work with.

I do worry about his discipline and pitch recognition because I’ve only heard vague references one way or another about how much work he needs in those areas, so keep take with a grain of salt a couple of the grades in his “Player Grade Box” above. But we’ll find out once he gets his first taste of pro ball.

Best Case Outcome – Too soon to say, but he is a high upside talent

More Likely Outcome – Too soon to say

Brief Rundown of Prospects 8 – 15

*Danile Schlereth and Alfredo Figaro are not eligible for this prospect list based on the criteria I set forth for prospect eligibility

8. Ryan Strieby | 1b | Grade – B-/C+ – Big first baseman is blocked by Miguel Cabrera, so he might be trade bait

9. Gustavo Nunez | SS | Grade – C+ – Slick fielding shortstop makes consistent hard contact, but lack of walks and power limit upside

10. Wilkin Ramirez | OF | Grade – C+ – Good tools, but lack of refinement…needs to cut down on the strikeouts

11. Casper Wells | OF | Grade – C+ – Tweener outfield prospect hits for power and gets on base, but he has big contact issues

12. Robbie Weinhardt | RHP | Grade – C+ – Solid middle relief prospect with deep repertoire of pitches and good feel for pitching

13. Cody Satterwhite | RHP | Grade – C+ – Reliever with a big time power arm, Satterwhite has command issues and trouble staying healthy

14. Brayan Villareal | RHP | Grade – C+ – Under-the-radar pitcher is starting for now, but his fastball/slider combo is better suited for the bullpen

15. Melvin Mercedes | RHP | Grade – C – Lots of arm strength and a heavy fastball at his disposal, Mercedes still has major control problems to clean up

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HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order) – Luis Marte (RHP) | Luke Putkonen (RHP) | Casey Fien (RHP) | John Murrian (C) | Alex Nunez (SS) | Scott Green (RHP) | Audy Ciriaco (SS) | Charlie Furbush | Lester Oliveros (RHP) | Victor Larez (RHP) | Cale Iorg (SS) | Brennan Boesch (RF) | Avisail Garcia (OF) | James Robbins (1b) | Tyler Stohr (RHP) | Anthony Shawler (RHP) | Ramon Lebron (RHP)

ALSO SEE – Detroit Tigers Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

UP NEXT – Kansas City Royals Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Other References and Resources Used for This Article – First Inning and Minor League Splits