Detroit Tigers Top-15 Prospects of 2010, No’s 1 – 5

ALSO SEE – Tigers Top Prospects, No’s 6 – 15

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
Fastball – 65 Now | 70 Future
Curveball – 55 | 60
Change-Up – 45 | 55
Control – 45 | 55
Command – 50 | 60
Pitchability – 45 | 55
ETA – 2013
Final Grade – B+

I scouted Jacob Turner before last year’s draft and that scouting report still holds true for the most part. Turner wasn’t signed in time to get any professional innings under his belt, so we’re still waiting to see how he’ll fare against better levels of competition.

Given the quality of his stuff, he shouldn’t have much of a problem getting hitters out, especially early on in his career. Things for him to work on in the future include his overall command, especially on his breaking ball, and developing his change-up into a useable third pitch. Reports on his change-up have been vague, but that is mostly because he rarely threw one in high school.

Best Case Outcome – No. 1 starter

More Likely Outcome – Too soon to say

Player Grades
4-Seamer – 60 Now | 65 Future
2-Seamer – 55 | 60
Curveball – 55 | 60
Change-Up – 45 | 55
Control – 45 | 55
Command – 45 | 55
Pitchability – 50 | 55/60
ETA – 2012
Final Grade – B+

Body Type – Very athletic and lean frame

Stuff

Fastball – He has two fastballs: a two-seamer and four-seamer. The four-seamer is the better fastball at the moment, thrown in the mid 90′s with plus life, while the two-seamer he doesn’t command as well, but it allows him to induce ground balls when he needs them.

Curveball – Inconsistent, but when on, it’s a plus offering. He’s tightened the pitch up over the past year or so.

Change-Up – Still getting a feel for the pitch, but he has the arm speed to make things work.

Scouting Report

The Detroit Tigers organization and Casey Crosby himself couldn’t have asked for a better recovery from the Tommy John surgery Crosby underwent in 2007. His stuff is better than ever and he remained healthy for all of 2009.

However, you do have to worry about his future health because he’s already had Tommy John surgery, he tore a meniscus from playing football in high school, and he was shut down for precautionary measures in instructionals with shoulder tendonitis after the 2009 season ended.

It makes me wonder if he’s simply a naturally higher risk for injury than other players…if he’s perhaps genetically predisposed to injury. It’s much too early to say that conclusively, however.

Crosby has no glaring red flags in his delivery. He hides the ball well, and uses all his pitches from the same high 3/4 arm slot. He also loads his scapula well. In the clip below, while you don’t see the stabilization of his front side, you do see a good example of Crosby scapula loading, also known as the pinching together of the shoulder blades:

*Credit to WOODTV8

Crosby still has to work on commanding his stuff. He’ll rush through his delivery at times, which causes him to miss his spots. However, it’s important to note that control is one of the last things to return to a pitcher after Tommy John surgery and I expect Crosby to show better command next season.

Best Case Outcome – Borderline No. 1 starter

More Likely Outcome – Solid No. 2 starter

Brief Rundown of Prospects 3 – 5

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

3. Alex Avila | C | Grade – B – Somebody I mentioned as a sleeper prospect last May, Avila has solid power and patience, but needs to cut down on the strikeouts…made huge strides with his defense last year

4. Austin Jackson | CF | Grade – B/B- – Really hasn’t done much since 2007, but still has good potential as a solid everyday center fielder…click here for a pitch-by-pitch breakdown of Jackson

5. Andy Oliver | LHP | Grade – B/B- – Lefty profiles as a middle of the rotation starter with a good all around game, but in need of refinement

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UP NEXT – Detroit Tigers Top Prospects, No’s 6 – 15

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