Baseball Prospectus 1996
The changes actually began last winter. Mickey Tettleton was allowed to walk as a free agent, while still a productive hitter, after four fantastic years in Detroit. In March, Tony Phillips, the other primary element in the excellent Tiger offense of the 1990s, was dealt to California for Chad Curtis, a younger player and a legitimate center fielder. Mid-season, Kirk Gibson ended his 2 1/2 year farewell tour by retiring, and Mike Moore was given his release, ending his run at the "Highest ERA, Single Season" record. Erstwhile closer Mike Henneman was shipped to Houston for $3.98 worth of flesh and bone, and David Wells was sent to Cincinnati for a couple of arms and a real baseball player, Mark Lewis.
All of these moves were made by outgoing GM Joe Klein, which should be remembered three years from now when everyone is singing the praises of Randy Smith for his rebuilding of the Tigers. Given rapidly souring lemons, Klein made a decent lemonade. Smith continued to make the Tigers younger and potentially better this winter: Phil Plantier, a Tiger Stadium hitter if there ever was one, was picked up for nothing. Brian Williams, who is still young enough to have hope, was signed to a minor league deal and invited to spring training. Meanwhile, Lou Whitaker appears to have Detroit is his rear view mirror, and Cecil Fielder will disappear once Smith can find a GM with attention deficit disorder to dump him on.
The Tigers have developed one decent player since the Carter administration, Travis Fryman. They currently have a crop of mid-level prospects who could develop. Over the last few years, they have acquired enough pre-prime and in-prime players that it's not inconceivable that they could have a "Why not?" year, akin to the 1989 Orioles or 1991 Braves. But they need to separate the baseball players from the Danny Bautistas. A lineup of Curtis, Lewis, Fryman, Plantier, Fielder, Higginson, Clark, Parent and Gomez will score a few runs. There is some pitching talent here in Felipe Lira, Jose Lima and Sean Bergman. The better prospects are at least another year or so away, so some of the Pat Ahearnes and Brian Bohanons will have to step up and play the roles of Jeff Ballard and Dave Johnson if the miracle is to happen. Don't count on it, but don't be surprised if they hang around the wild card chase into August before fading.
KEVIN BAEZ 1967 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 TID 212 35 3 0 1 7 0 1 .165 .192 .193 .069 15 1 1992 TID 354 80 11 1 2 11 1 1 .226 .249 .280 .179 64 19 1993 NOR 212 53 8 1 1 18 0 1 .250 .309 .311 .219 46 18 1993 NYM 126 23 9 0 0 13 0 0 .183 .259 .254 .171 21 6 1994 ROC 359 76 11 1 1 34 2 5 .212 .280 .256 .182 65 20 1995 TOL 379 84 8 1 4 20 2 4 .222 .261 .280 .183 69 21Will need a natural disaster or the reappearance of Hawk Harrelson in a front office to see a major league clubhouse again.
GLEN BARKER 1971 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 NIA 261 46 5 1 3 15 17 7 .176 .221 .238 .159 42 11 1994 FAY 275 55 9 2 1 25 22 8 .200 .267 .258 .194 53 19 1994 LAK 104 17 2 1 2 3 4 2 .163 .187 .260 .143 15 3 1995 JAX 514 118 18 2 9 27 32 11 .230 .268 .325 .216 111 44Barker is a tools guy who strikes out in over a quarter of his ABs, doesn't hit for any average or much power and doesn't steal bases exceptionally well. No prospect.
DANNY BAUTISTA 1972 RF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 FAY 242 38 3 2 1 11 3 3 .157 .194 .198 .088 21 2 1992 FAY 464 103 8 1 5 17 9 8 .222 .249 .276 .179 83 25 1993 LON 423 106 12 1 5 24 18 8 .251 .291 .319 .220 93 37 1993 DET 61 20 2 0 1 0 4 1 .328 .328 .410 .270 16 8 1994 TOL 98 23 3 0 2 5 2 2 .235 .272 .327 .208 20 8 1994 DET 99 23 5 1 3 1 1 2 .232 .240 .394 .215 21 8 1995 TOL 58 13 2 0 0 1 1 1 .224 .237 .259 .165 10 3 1995 DET 270 55 8 0 6 9 5 1 .204 .229 .300 .183 49 15 1996 PRJ 254 58 9 1 2 8 6 3 .228 .252 .295 .192 49 16Still only 24, but may be running out of time. Curtis is set in center, and Bautista's near the back of a group which includes Higginson, Plantier, Nevin, Steverson and Franklin. The worst semi-regular in baseball last year. Not a good bet in 1996, but could lose a year or two and come back in his mid-20s.
FRANK CATALANOTTO 1974 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1994 FAY 468 130 15 4 2 27 2 2 .278 .317 .340 .234 109 45 1995 JAX 499 108 13 3 7 42 11 5 .216 .277 .297 .202 101 36Came down a notch after a very good 1994. He has the highest upside of any position player prospect in the organization. The bump in walks is a nice sign. 1996 is a crucial year.
TONY CLARK 1972 1B/DH YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 NIA 88 23 4 0 3 6 0 0 .261 .309 .409 .251 22 10 1993 LAK 119 27 3 1 1 14 0 0 .227 .308 .294 .213 25 10 1994 TRN 397 102 12 1 15 32 1 3 .257 .312 .406 .249 99 46 1994 TOL 92 22 1 0 2 10 2 0 .239 .314 .315 .229 21 9 1995 TOL 412 98 13 1 12 47 0 1 .238 .316 .362 .238 98 43 1995 DET 100 24 5 1 2 7 0 0 .240 .290 .370 .231 23 10 1996 PRJ 438 113 16 1 15 34 2 2 .258 .311 .402 .250 109 51He's finally reached the majors. Now what? He's 24, has a strike zone the size of Michigan, good but not great power, and no defensive value. He should split first base and DH with Cecil this year, mixing occasional moon shots with a .300 OBP. If he'd just had a monster year at Albuquerque, he could be Billy Ashley. As it is, he's got a lot of improving to do to get to average.
GARY COOPER 1965 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 TUC 393 102 13 2 12 52 6 6 .260 .346 .394 .259 102 51 1992 TUC 454 123 21 2 9 35 7 4 .271 .323 .385 .251 114 53 1993 BUF 351 95 20 2 13 49 3 3 .271 .360 .450 .280 98 54 1994 IND 225 71 14 2 8 34 7 2 .316 .405 .502 .315 71 44 1995 JAX 346 95 13 1 15 51 7 3 .275 .368 .448 .285 99 55Pride of the...uh, no. 31 years old, 16 major league ABs, trying to be Crash Davis when he grows up.
IVAN CRUZ 1968 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 LON 445 96 9 1 9 22 2 2 .216 .253 .301 .189 84 27 1991 TOL 29 4 0 0 1 2 0 0 .138 .194 .241 .120 3 1 1992 LON 524 127 12 1 13 30 1 1 .242 .283 .344 .220 115 45 1993 TOL 404 88 13 2 10 27 1 1 .218 .267 .334 .208 84 31 1994 TOL 303 71 8 1 11 23 1 0 .234 .288 .376 .232 70 30 1995 JAX 406 115 13 1 24 52 0 0 .283 .365 .498 .295 120 69 1995 TOL 37 7 2 0 0 5 0 0 .189 .286 .243 .181 7 2Don't be fooled: the bump in walks is mostly the 15 intentionals he inspired. Another failed high draft pick from the Tigers' dark period.
CHAD CURTIS 1969 CF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 EDM 414 108 15 3 8 39 35 9 .261 .325 .370 .256 106 52 1992 CAL 441 117 14 2 11 50 47 16 .265 .340 .381 .264 117 61 1993 CAL 576 163 20 3 5 66 57 21 .283 .357 .354 .263 152 77 1994 CAL 448 114 18 4 8 31 30 12 .254 .303 .366 .242 108 50 1995 DET 576 154 25 3 17 63 34 18 .267 .340 .410 .264 152 79 1996 PRJ 587 176 26 5 24 58 46 22 .300 .363 .484 .293 172 100Defensive Average took a terrible tumble last year, which may or may not be a Tiger Stadium park effect. Walks came back, though, and he had his best power year. He's 27 now, and if he stops stealing bases, should move to the top 5 in the AL in CF. Of course, Vlad has him running like Luis Polonia on steroids. Definitely a good trade for the Tigers, since they have no centerfielders in the system.
ERIC DANAPILIS 1971 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 NIA 218 57 4 0 2 22 4 2 .261 .329 .307 .230 50 21 1994 FAY 394 91 9 1 14 41 3 1 .231 .303 .365 .235 93 41 1995 JAX 425 106 15 1 9 52 3 2 .249 .331 .353 .243 103 47Played well enough to move up to Toledo. If he continues to improve the walk rate, he could play his way onto a roster in 1997 as a fourth outfielder. He must play well this year, however, or he'll get lost in the system.
REX DE LA NUEZ 1968 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 VIS 403 100 13 1 7 54 18 6 .248 .337 .337 .246 99 46 1992 ORL 444 110 22 2 10 60 11 6 .248 .337 .374 .252 112 54 1993 NAA 359 78 14 2 6 79 16 3 .217 .358 .318 .250 90 44 1995 JAX 339 86 14 1 8 42 9 4 .254 .336 .372 .252 85 41Detoured to the Northern League in 1994, which has been shown to be a Bad Thing (tm) for your career. Walks a lot, steals an occasional base, but at 28, has little hope of even playing regularly at AAA.
DANNY FERNANDEZ 1966 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SJO 92 18 3 1 0 21 0 1 .196 .345 .250 .211 19 8 1992 SHV 188 37 1 0 2 15 1 0 .197 .256 .234 .162 31 8 1993 SHV 130 22 4 1 0 12 1 1 .169 .239 .215 .139 18 4 1993 PHX 114 23 1 1 0 14 1 1 .202 .289 .228 .177 20 6 1994 PHX 139 32 4 1 0 10 1 0 .230 .282 .273 .195 27 9 1995 JAX 235 37 2 0 4 24 1 2 .157 .236 .217 .135 32 7No threat to the memory of Bill Fahey.
CECIL FIELDER 1964 1B/DH YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 DET 623 169 26 2 42 77 0 0 .271 .351 .522 .295 184 107 1992 DET 597 154 22 2 36 71 0 0 .258 .337 .482 .280 167 92 1993 DET 569 158 21 2 28 86 0 1 .278 .373 .469 .291 165 94 1994 DET 419 108 15 2 23 45 0 0 .258 .330 .468 .274 115 61 1995 DET 486 118 16 1 27 68 0 1 .243 .336 .447 .269 131 69 1996 PRJ 558 140 20 1 29 77 0 0 .251 .342 .446 .273 152 81Boy, it's been a while since we've heard Cecil whine about not getting respect; about not winning the MVP; about not making the All-Star team. Is he still playing? Looks like the Hall of Fame won't be calling, since he's already in his decline phase. By the way, I have September 29, 1997 for his first and only career stolen base.
JOHN FLAHERTY 1968 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 NBR 230 61 5 0 4 22 0 1 .265 .329 .339 .237 55 23 1991 PAW 156 26 4 0 3 11 0 1 .167 .222 .250 .144 22 5 1992 PAW 104 24 2 0 0 4 0 0 .231 .259 .250 .171 18 5 1992 BOS 66 13 3 0 0 3 0 0 .197 .232 .242 .150 10 2 1993 PAW 361 87 9 1 5 24 0 1 .241 .288 .313 .210 76 28 1994 TOL 150 37 7 1 5 5 3 1 .247 .271 .407 .237 36 16 1994 DET 40 6 0 0 0 1 0 1 .150 .171 .150 **** -4 -1 1995 DET 351 86 17 1 10 14 0 0 .245 .274 .385 .229 81 33Started the year like a house on fire, playing a fairly big role in the Tigers' good start, but the demands of catching every day wore him down, and he was brutal in the second half. Just a backup who was plugged in and got hot for six weeks, setting up a ten-year career bouncing around the league.
SCOTT FLETCHER 1959 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CWS 249 55 10 1 1 16 0 2 .221 .268 .281 .186 46 15 1992 MIL 393 119 20 4 3 29 20 10 .303 .351 .397 .267 105 52 1993 BOS 473 134 27 5 4 33 18 3 .283 .330 .387 .260 123 59 1994 BOS 183 41 7 1 2 14 9 1 .224 .279 .306 .216 39 15 1995 DET 180 42 6 1 1 17 1 0 .233 .299 .294 .211 38 14Baseball Weekly, September 1995: in an article lauding Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell, it was mentioned that the Tigers were turning things over to a younger double-play combo, Chris Gomez and Scott Fletcher. Fletch is about a year younger than Whitaker, and at no point in his entire life has he ever been a better baseball player than Sweet Lou. Not a major leaguer at this point.
MICAH FRANKLIN 1972 YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 ERI 158 27 3 0 1 15 2 2 .171 .243 .209 .138 22 5 1991 PTS 97 21 3 1 0 14 5 2 .216 .315 .268 .214 21 8 1993 CWV 354 82 7 1 11 32 3 1 .232 .295 .350 .227 80 34 1993 WNS 70 13 2 1 1 7 0 0 .186 .260 .286 .185 13 4 1994 WNS 151 42 6 0 11 21 5 0 .278 .366 .536 .309 47 29 1994 CHT 284 73 9 1 8 29 2 1 .257 .326 .380 .249 71 33 1995 CLG 345 89 14 1 16 40 3 3 .258 .335 .443 .268 93 48Claimed on waivers when the Pirates decided they absolutely had to clear room on their 40-man roster to sign young studs Charlie Hayes and Mike Kingery. Remember moves like this when the "small-revenue-stream" teams whine. Franklin isn't going to set the world on fire, but he's just 24, will be cheap for a few years, and is much better than either stiff free agent the Pirates signed. In the mix for the Tiger LF spot, and since he hits better from the right side, would make a great platoon partner with Plantier or Higginson. Recommended.
TRAVIS FRYMAN 1969 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 DET 557 149 35 3 21 38 15 5 .268 .314 .454 .267 149 76 1992 DET 662 185 31 5 21 43 9 4 .279 .323 .437 .265 176 87 1993 DET 603 187 35 5 21 73 11 4 .310 .385 .489 .303 183 106 1994 DET 458 121 29 5 14 39 2 2 .264 .322 .441 .264 121 61 1995 DET 558 154 18 4 12 55 5 2 .276 .341 .387 .259 144 69 1996 PRJ 666 192 37 5 22 67 11 3 .288 .353 .458 .284 189 103Hmmm.... It's starting to look like 1993 was the aberration, and frankly, I'm stunned. Fryman was a regular at the end of 1990, when he was 21. He improved up to 1993, the year he was switched to third base permanently. But the last two years, he's regressed, this year badly. Strikeouts have never gone away, and while the walks came back this year, his power disappeared. Platoon splits have been all over the place: strongly normal in 1992 and 1994, strongly reverse in 1993 and 1995. Is 27 this year, and could put it all togther and explode on the league. I doubt it.
KIRK GIBSON 1957 DH YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KCR 464 116 18 6 16 68 22 4 .250 .346 .418 .273 127 68 1992 PIT 57 13 1 0 2 3 3 1 .228 .267 .351 .222 13 5 1993 DET 401 107 16 7 12 42 18 5 .267 .336 .431 .271 109 58 1994 DET 325 90 15 2 19 37 5 6 .277 .351 .511 .289 94 54 1995 DET 223 57 9 2 8 30 11 2 .256 .344 .422 .273 61 33Retired mid-season, after a two-and-a-half year encore at Michigan and Trumbull. Gave us the single best baseball moment of the 1980s, for which we should be forever grateful.
JIM GIVENS 1968 2B/SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 FAY 232 45 4 0 0 9 5 4 .194 .224 .211 .131 30 6 1992 LAK 464 95 10 2 2 24 11 6 .205 .244 .248 .166 77 21 1993 LON 261 60 7 2 2 12 11 5 .230 .264 .295 .200 52 18 1993 TOL 148 35 2 1 0 10 6 2 .236 .285 .264 .199 29 10 1994 TOL 283 58 2 2 1 26 14 7 .205 .272 .237 .181 51 16 1995 TOL 222 50 3 1 0 24 7 4 .225 .301 .248 .196 44 15
CHRIS GOMEZ 1971 SS/2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 LON 221 51 8 1 2 16 1 2 .231 .283 .303 .203 45 16 1993 TOL 278 63 5 1 1 21 6 2 .227 .281 .263 .193 54 18 1993 DET 128 33 6 1 0 8 3 2 .258 .301 .320 .221 28 11 1994 DET 292 75 11 1 7 29 6 3 .257 .324 .373 .247 72 33 1995 DET 427 96 17 2 9 35 5 1 .225 .284 .337 .219 93 37 1996 PRJ 376 95 16 2 11 37 5 0 .253 .320 .394 .254 95 45So far, has folded an entire career into May, 1994. Except for that one month, his career numbers resemble the other stiffs floating around second base in Toledo and Detroit. Hits lefties fairly well, still just 25. Should have at least one more full year to establish himself. If you're a Strat manager, pick him up cheap.
JOE HALL 1966 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 VAN 423 92 11 1 3 16 9 8 .217 .246 .270 .175 74 22 1992 VAN 363 96 13 3 8 49 9 4 .264 .352 .383 .262 95 48 1993 NAS 421 116 23 3 8 48 13 8 .276 .350 .401 .265 112 57 1994 BIR 69 13 5 0 0 13 0 0 .188 .317 .261 .204 14 5 1994 NAS 71 20 5 0 3 15 0 0 .282 .407 .479 .307 22 13 1994 CWS 28 11 2 0 1 1 0 0 .393 .414 .571 .338 9 6 1995 TOL 324 102 13 1 10 33 4 1 .315 .378 .454 .293 95 52Good hitter, but needed four years in AAA to become one. Could be a useful spare part, but has very little shot of making a roster.
TERREL HANSEN 1967 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 TID 368 96 13 1 11 30 0 0 .261 .317 .391 .249 92 42 1992 TID 399 97 12 1 10 20 4 2 .243 .279 .353 .222 89 35 1993 OTT 351 75 11 1 7 17 1 1 .214 .250 .311 .192 67 22 1994 JAX 403 117 9 1 17 17 2 2 .290 .319 .444 .265 107 52 1995 JAX 181 40 6 0 7 8 0 1 .221 .254 .370 .214 39 15 1995 TAC 50 11 2 0 2 2 0 0 .220 .250 .380 .217 11 4
BOB HIGGINSON 1971 RF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 NIA 244 57 8 1 2 22 5 4 .234 .297 .299 .210 51 19 1993 LAK 226 61 9 3 4 32 5 2 .270 .360 .389 .268 60 31 1993 LON 223 61 11 2 3 15 2 2 .274 .319 .381 .247 55 25 1994 TOL 475 123 17 2 17 39 15 7 .259 .315 .411 .255 121 59 1995 DET 404 91 16 5 11 57 8 5 .225 .321 .371 .243 98 46 1996 PRJ 542 141 25 3 18 65 6 4 .260 .339 .417 .265 144 73Lots of goodies hidden behind the .220 batting average. Very good walk rate, some power, plays a very good right field with a strong arm. Easily the best RF on the team, and should get 500 at bats this year to show it. Highly recommended.
TIM HYERS 1972 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 MYR 408 63 4 0 2 13 2 2 .154 .181 .179 **** -18 -1 1992 DUN 470 98 13 1 8 35 1 1 .209 .263 .291 .190 89 29 1993 KNX 481 124 17 2 2 42 8 2 .258 .317 .314 .228 110 45 1994 LVG 45 9 2 0 0 4 0 0 .200 .265 .244 .170 8 2 1994 SDP 118 31 1 0 0 9 3 0 .263 .315 .271 .217 26 10 1995 LVG 249 60 6 1 1 21 0 2 .241 .300 .285 .204 51 18Really not much of a player, but if there's a team where he could contribute, it's this one. Very good defensive first baseman, left-handed, walks occasionally. We'll see if Bell utilizes him.
TIM LEIPER 1967 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 TID 282 66 8 1 2 27 1 2 .234 .301 .291 .207 58 21 1992 MEM 252 62 6 1 3 28 3 1 .246 .321 .313 .228 57 24 1993 CAR 131 28 2 0 1 8 0 1 .214 .259 .252 .169 22 6 1993 BUF 208 68 10 3 2 10 2 3 .327 .358 .433 .276 57 29 1994 BUF 349 91 16 1 3 19 3 2 .261 .299 .338 .226 79 31 1995 JAX 383 95 12 1 7 41 3 2 .248 .321 .339 .234 90 39 1995 TOL 67 14 0 0 0 3 0 0 .209 .243 .209 .138 9 2
MARK LEWIS 1970 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CSP 173 40 7 2 1 14 2 1 .231 .289 .312 .212 37 14 1991 CLE 317 90 9 2 1 14 3 1 .284 .314 .334 .233 74 30 1992 CLE 412 111 14 1 7 23 5 5 .269 .308 .359 .235 97 41 1993 CHR 508 138 21 2 13 31 9 4 .272 .314 .398 .251 128 59 1993 CLE 52 14 2 0 1 0 4 0 .269 .269 .365 .241 13 5 1994 CHR 329 79 9 1 6 29 2 3 .240 .302 .328 .221 73 29 1994 CLE 73 15 4 0 1 1 1 0 .205 .216 .301 .177 13 4 1995 CIN 171 60 12 1 2 21 0 3 .351 .422 .468 .308 53 30 1996 PRJ 461 138 29 2 19 26 2 2 .299 .337 .495 .286 132 71David Wells for this guy straight up is a good trade, even if we don't consider the arms the Tigers got back. Cleveland gave up on him, Jim Bowden made a smart pickup and he hit like a fiend, including a Dodger-killing grand slam in the playoffs. Will have a very good season as the Tigers 2B, but if they re-sign Whitaker, should beat Chris Gomez out of the SS job. Highly recommended.
ROB LUKACHYK 1969 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SAR 414 105 13 1 12 50 13 5 .254 .334 .377 .254 105 51 1992 STO 358 86 10 6 12 34 25 9 .240 .306 .402 .253 90 45 1993 ELP 361 80 14 3 6 44 7 5 .222 .306 .327 .223 81 34 1994 BOW 373 97 12 3 7 37 24 5 .260 .327 .365 .254 95 46 1995 TOL 351 88 18 4 7 30 8 4 .251 .310 .385 .245 86 40Younger and better than most of the Tiger minor league outfielders. This is called "damning with faint praise."
JUSTIN MASHORE 1972 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 FAY 413 87 10 1 4 23 15 4 .211 .252 .269 .185 76 24 1993 LAK 445 98 7 2 5 28 16 7 .220 .266 .279 .194 86 29 1994 TRN 454 90 8 3 5 28 22 5 .198 .245 .262 .182 82 26 1995 JAX 149 35 5 2 3 5 4 1 .235 .260 .356 .219 33 13 1995 TOL 225 47 4 2 3 13 12 6 .209 .252 .284 .190 43 15Doesn't hit for average or power, doesn't walk much, doesn't steal many bases, doesn't play exceptional defense.... Does have all five vowels in his name.
TERRY MCGRIFF 1964 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 TUC 142 35 6 1 1 12 0 1 .246 .305 .324 .220 31 12 1992 SYR 57 14 1 0 2 8 1 0 .246 .338 .368 .254 14 7 1993 EDM 319 89 14 1 5 39 1 1 .279 .358 .376 .261 83 40 1994 STL 113 25 5 0 0 13 0 0 .221 .302 .265 .199 22 8 1995 TOL 191 51 3 0 4 18 0 0 .267 .330 .346 .241 46 20His name will someday be in the Hall of Fame. It will be on his brother's plaque, but, hey, beggars can't be choosy.
PHIL NEVIN 1971 3B/LF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 TUC 432 102 12 1 7 41 5 1 .236 .302 .317 .221 95 38 1994 TUC 431 96 9 1 8 46 3 2 .223 .298 .304 .212 91 35 1995 TUC 213 52 6 0 6 23 2 2 .244 .318 .357 .237 51 22 1995 DET 95 21 1 1 2 10 0 0 .221 .295 .316 .214 20 8 1995 HOU 61 8 1 0 0 6 1 0 .131 .209 .148 .030 2 0Here's one of the more interesting moves being contemplated this off-season. Nevin, who hasn't been good at anything anywhere, may be tried at catcher by the Tigers. Usually, moves like this are DOA, but this one makes sense: 1) Nevin isn't going to beat Fryman out at third; 2) he's no better than their fourth outfielder, maybe worse; 3) the Tigers need a real catcher; 4) they aren't going anywhere this year, so if it fails, what have they lost? Nevin's not a real good player anyway, but at catcher, he may have some value. Anywhere else, forget it.
MARK PARENT 1962 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 ROC 359 101 15 1 14 31 4 3 .281 .338 .446 .272 98 50 1992 BAL 34 9 1 0 2 3 0 0 .265 .324 .471 .273 9 5 1993 ROC 332 76 8 1 10 36 0 1 .229 .304 .349 .228 76 32 1993 BAL 54 14 2 0 4 2 0 0 .259 .286 .519 .271 15 8 1994 CHC 100 28 3 0 3 13 0 1 .280 .363 .400 .267 27 13 1995 CHC 32 8 2 0 3 3 0 0 .250 .314 .594 .297 10 6 1995 PIT 232 54 8 1 13 22 0 0 .233 .299 .444 .255 59 29 1996 PRJ 247 57 10 1 9 21 0 0 .231 .291 .389 .237 58 26Always a decent hitter, but last year was out of line. Big platoon split, hammered lefties. Nice insurance if the Nevin shift is attempted, would be stretched if they tried to play him every day.
SHANNON PENN 1970 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 NIA 263 57 4 1 2 19 12 5 .217 .270 .262 .191 50 17 1993 LON 494 112 9 3 1 43 33 10 .227 .289 .263 .206 102 38 1994 TOL 442 113 9 4 1 25 37 12 .256 .296 .301 .224 99 41 1995 TOL 220 51 2 1 1 16 14 6 .232 .284 .264 .201 44 16Speedy second baseman, no other offensive skills. Frighteningly enough, he may have won the 2B job if not for the Lewis pickup.
PHIL PLANTIER 1969 LF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 PAW 292 83 13 2 13 53 5 1 .284 .394 .476 .303 89 53 1991 BOS 148 51 7 1 11 22 1 0 .345 .429 .628 .352 52 36 1992 PAW 40 17 2 0 3 5 0 1 .425 .489 .700 .384 15 11 1992 BOS 349 89 16 1 8 42 2 3 .255 .335 .375 .250 87 41 1993 SDP 463 114 19 1 31 61 5 5 .246 .334 .492 .279 129 73 1994 SDP 340 77 18 1 16 36 4 1 .226 .301 .426 .252 86 42 1995 HOU 69 19 1 0 4 11 0 0 .275 .375 .464 .291 20 11 1995 SDP 149 41 5 0 4 17 1 1 .275 .349 .389 .261 39 19 1996 PRJ 366 106 15 1 22 47 0 0 .290 .370 .516 .303 11 66Injuries have really murdered his progress, but he's still just 27, and seems to have retained his strike zone judgement and power. Moving to the best park in real baseball for his talents, and just needs to get healthy to have a .260/.350/.520 year. Expect a big year.
LANCE RICE 1967 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SAN 218 39 4 0 3 23 1 1 .179 .257 .239 .162 35 10 1992 SAN 198 44 3 0 3 16 0 1 .222 .280 .283 .194 38 13 1993 HAR 137 29 4 0 2 13 0 1 .212 .280 .285 .193 26 9 1994 HAR 30 8 0 0 0 6 0 0 .267 .389 .267 .244 7 3 1995 JAX 156 19 1 1 2 9 0 0 .122 .170 .179 **** -12 -1 1995 TOL 42 11 0 0 1 3 1 2 .262 .311 .333 .220 9 4A definite threat to the memory of Orlando Mercado.
STEVE RODRIGUEZ 1971 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 WHV 89 13 0 0 1 8 2 1 .146 .216 .180 .101 9 1 1993 LYN 497 111 14 1 2 24 14 7 .223 .259 .268 .184 92 29 1994 NBR 161 42 2 2 0 7 6 3 .261 .292 .298 .213 34 13 1994 PAW 230 61 5 0 1 12 9 2 .265 .302 .300 .222 51 20 1995 PAW 323 69 10 2 1 22 11 7 .214 .264 .266 .185 60 19 1995 DET 31 6 1 0 0 4 1 2 .194 .286 .226 .165 5 2Part of the three-Rodriguez infield at Pawtucket, with Carlos and Tony. In addition to a last name, they all share non-prospect status. Steve's the best of the three, and could stick as a sixth infielder in Detroit.
LAMARR ROGERS 1971 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 BND 233 45 5 1 1 33 8 3 .193 .293 .236 .189 44 15 1993 CNV 398 76 9 1 1 44 14 7 .191 .271 .226 .173 69 20 1994 NHV 381 89 10 2 2 45 6 5 .234 .315 .286 .214 81 31 1995 NHV 378 100 7 1 1 53 17 5 .265 .355 .296 .243 92 41Taken from the Rockies in the minor league Rule V draft. Good plate discipline, not much else to sell. Unlikely to ever see the majors.
YURI SANCHEZ 1974 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 FAY 357 60 3 3 1 52 10 5 .168 .274 .202 .161 57 16 1994 LAK 257 53 3 3 2 32 14 5 .206 .294 .265 .205 53 20 1994 TRN 79 14 2 1 0 9 3 1 .177 .261 .228 .170 13 4 1995 JAX 348 72 5 5 5 33 12 4 .207 .276 .293 .203 71 26Rail-thin (6'1", 165), but at 22, could still put on weight and add power. Has moved up despite not having great offensive credentials, which speaks well for his defense. His walk rates are OK for a player his age, and if he does add muscle, he'd be a prospect overnight. Watch closely.
TOM SCHMIDT 1973 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 BND 249 45 3 0 4 13 7 2 .181 .221 .241 .152 38 9 1993 CNV 472 90 6 1 11 19 3 1 .191 .222 .278 .164 78 21 1994 CNV 335 66 5 1 5 39 2 2 .197 .281 .263 .187 62 20 1995 NHV 428 89 18 2 5 17 2 1 .208 .238 .294 .180 77 23
STEVE SPRINGER 1961 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CLG 402 88 12 1 13 19 6 2 .219 .254 .351 .211 85 32 1992 TID 431 122 11 1 13 18 9 4 .283 .312 .404 .253 109 50 1993 NOR 488 127 16 2 10 29 6 5 .260 .302 .363 .234 114 48 1994 TOL 510 123 14 2 10 28 17 11 .241 .281 .335 .218 111 44 1995 LVG 85 15 1 0 1 2 1 1 .176 .195 .224 .114 10 2 1995 TOL 103 27 7 1 1 3 1 1 .262 .283 .379 .231 24 10
TODD STEVERSON 1972 LF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 STC 234 40 4 0 3 18 10 4 .171 .230 .226 .153 36 9 1993 DUN 406 88 15 1 10 33 10 6 .217 .276 .333 .213 87 34 1994 KNX 424 102 15 3 8 62 14 6 .241 .337 .347 .246 104 49 1995 TOL 29 3 0 0 1 4 0 1 .103 .212 .207 .092 3 0 1995 DET 41 11 1 0 1 6 3 0 .268 .362 .366 .275 11 6A lost season. Detroit picksd him up from Toronto in the Rule V draft, and he had the career-screwing season so many others (Sherman Obando, Wilie Canate, Doug Jennings) have had, wasting a year watching baseball instead of playing. The Rule V draft is a good idea, allowing players trapped in a system an opportunity in another, but there needs to be some clause which keeps teams from wasting a year of a player's development this way. Steverson is a good prospect, and should have a career, starting in 1997.
FRANKLIN STUBBS 1961 1B/LF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 MIL 362 80 14 2 11 34 17 4 .221 .288 .362 .234 85 38 1992 MIL 293 75 10 1 11 26 13 8 .256 .317 .410 .254 74 37 1993 PAW 333 71 10 1 11 45 3 2 .213 .307 .348 .230 76 33 1995 DET 114 29 8 0 2 17 0 1 .254 .351 .377 .255 29 14Did nothing but take playing time away from Steverson and Higginson.
JEFF TACKETT 1966 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 ROC 432 94 14 1 5 41 3 1 .218 .285 .289 .201 87 31 1992 BAL 180 46 7 1 6 17 0 0 .256 .320 .406 .254 46 22 1993 BAL 86 15 2 0 0 13 0 0 .174 .283 .198 .157 14 3 1994 BAL 52 11 1 1 2 5 0 0 .212 .281 .385 .230 12 5 1995 TOL 306 80 7 1 6 32 2 1 .261 .331 .350 .243 74 33Better than Flaherty. Could have a Mark Parent year if given some playing time, but with more walks and less defense. One more year in AAA, though, and he moves from the Junior Ortiz track to the Steve Springer track.
ALAN TRAMMELL 1958 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 DET 375 96 14 1 10 36 14 2 .256 .321 .379 .253 95 45 1992 DET 103 30 8 1 1 14 2 2 .291 .376 .417 .278 29 15 1993 DET 398 134 24 3 11 36 15 7 .337 .392 .495 .308 123 71 1994 DET 289 77 14 1 6 13 4 0 .266 .298 .384 .243 70 31 1995 DET 219 59 7 0 2 24 4 1 .269 .342 .329 .244 53 24 1996 PRJ 285 75 11 0 7 31 3 1 .263 .335 .375 .254 72 34Signed to play in 1996. Still the best shortstop the Tigers have, but can't play every day due to physical breakdowns. A good bench player for 200-300 at bats.
LOU WHITAKER 1957 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 DET 469 136 25 2 23 89 5 2 .290 .403 .499 .311 146 90 1992 DET 455 134 22 1 21 80 7 4 .295 .400 .486 .306 139 84 1993 DET 380 114 26 2 9 75 4 3 .300 .415 .450 .304 116 69 1994 DET 316 95 18 2 9 37 2 0 .301 .374 .456 .291 92 51 1995 DET 244 71 10 1 12 28 5 0 .291 .364 .488 .297 72 41 1996 PRJ 361 99 11 1 14 50 2 0 .274 .363 .427 .279 101 54Hasn't officially retired, but seems content to sit out 1996. Still in the top half of ML second basemen, although the defense has finally started slipping. Would be a perfect fit on any of a dozen teams, and has at least one year, maybe more, left. If he plays, he'll be the same old Sweet Lou. Hall of Famer.
DERRICK WHITE 1970 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 JAM 277 71 6 1 4 23 3 2 .256 .313 .329 .228 63 26 1992 HAR 504 133 12 1 13 33 13 3 .264 .309 .369 .243 123 55 1993 HAR 80 17 2 0 1 3 1 0 .212 .241 .275 .177 14 4 1993 OTT 249 64 8 1 3 18 10 5 .257 .307 .333 .230 57 24 1993 MON 49 11 3 0 2 2 2 0 .224 .255 .408 .237 12 5 1994 PME 265 62 7 1 3 22 11 4 .234 .293 .302 .215 57 22 1994 OTT 100 20 3 0 0 7 3 1 .200 .252 .230 .165 17 4 1995 TOL 313 82 10 2 12 26 7 5 .262 .319 .422 .257 80 40 1995 DET 47 9 1 0 0 0 1 0 .191 .191 .213 .115 5 1Good defensive player with some speed, kind of a right-handed Tim Hyers. Good player to have backing up an oafish left-handed hitter, which means he'll have to move on to be maximized.
EDDIE WILLIAMS 1965 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 UNL 218 60 6 1 4 11 1 1 .275 .310 .367 .239 52 22 1992 RIC 74 14 2 0 1 3 0 0 .189 .221 .257 .151 11 3 1993 MNS 201 57 8 1 6 13 1 2 .284 .327 .423 .260 52 25 1993 NWO 27 7 1 1 0 7 0 0 .259 .412 .370 .283 8 4 1994 LVG 205 61 7 1 12 20 0 0 .298 .360 .517 .299 61 35 1994 SDP 174 59 9 1 10 15 0 1 .339 .392 .575 .324 56 35 1995 SDP 299 83 11 1 11 22 0 0 .278 .327 .431 .265 79 39 1996 PRJ 310 87 7 2 13 27 0 0 .281 .338 .442 .273 85 43Here's what the Tigers needed: a right-handed first baseman/DH with no defensive value, no speed and years out of his prime. What, the position wasn't filled adequately by Cecil? With Fielder and Clark, Williams shouldn't get many at bats.
CRAIG WILSON 1965 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 STL 83 16 2 0 0 6 0 0 .193 .247 .217 .145 12 3 1992 LOU 81 23 3 1 0 4 3 2 .284 .318 .346 .239 19 8 1992 STL 108 36 5 0 1 11 1 2 .333 .395 .407 .283 31 16 1993 OMA 231 60 7 1 2 18 8 4 .260 .313 .325 .230 53 22 1993 KCR 48 13 0 0 1 7 1 1 .271 .364 .333 .250 12 6 1994 OKL 228 59 4 0 3 21 1 2 .259 .321 .316 .226 51 21 1995 TOL 473 121 17 1 9 34 8 2 .256 .306 .353 .235 111 48
ALAN ZINTER 1968 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 WPT 429 86 8 3 9 43 2 2 .200 .273 .296 .196 84 29 1992 BIN 443 96 9 2 15 59 0 0 .217 .309 .348 .230 102 44 1993 BIN 436 106 14 1 19 75 1 0 .243 .354 .411 .268 117 61 1994 TOL 472 106 18 3 16 60 12 4 .225 .312 .377 .244 115 54 1995 TOL 339 75 10 2 12 32 4 1 .221 .288 .369 .230 78 34Regressed in his second year at Toledo, and now has Clark and Williams ahead of him. Might sneak onto a bench somewhere, but chance for a career is over.
Organizational Pitching Report
OPR Points: 17 Rank in MLB: 23rd (T) Rank in AL East: 5th
Name Lvl Age IP Work H/G K/BB K/G ERA Adj Ttl Grade Thompson, Justn 6 3 7 0 3 5 4 2 -1 29 C Smith, Cam 0 1 7 0 7 3 9 2 -1 28 C Sodowsky, Clint 6 4 9 -1 5 0 0 4 0 27 C- Keagle, Greg 6 1 9 0 2 2 4 0 +1 25 D Ratliff, Jon 6 1 7 0 2 4 2 3 0 25 D Drumright, Mike 5 4 1 0 3 4 7 2 -1 25 D Miller, Trever 6 3 5 0 2 4 1 4 0 25 D Whiteman, Greg 1 0 7 0 4 4 9 1 -1 25 D Marshall, Randy 8 -3 4 0 4 5 1 5 0 24 D Gaspar, Cade 3 3 4 0 3 4 7 2 -2 24 D Withem, Shannon 6 3 4 0 0 7 3 0 0 23 D- Best Prospect in 1994: Shannon Withem (B) Best Rookie Starter in 1995: Felipe Lira (D)
Thompson is actually a better prospect than his grade indicates, but he missed a year to injury and is just now getting back on track. The rest of the Tiger system is pretty scary. C.J. Nitkowski, not listed here because of major league service time, can be a big contributor but needs to get 200 innings under his belt at AAA. The better prospects in the low minors, such as Gaspar and 1995 #1 pick Drumright, should brighten this picture next year, but don't look for any impact before 1998.
PAT AHEARNE 1970 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 LAK 133.3 183 104 22 54 44 7.02 4 11 12.35 3.65 2.97 1994 TRN 99.3 141 55 10 26 45 4.98 4 7 12.78 2.36 4.08 1995 TOL 130.7 190 90 15 43 51 6.20 4 11 13.09 2.96 3.51 1995 DET 9.7 18 8 1 4 4 7.45 0 1 16.76 3.72 3.72Gave up 12 hits a game and struck out 3 batters a month at Toledo, which got him a cameo in the Tiger rotation. This is not unusual, as you will discover in the following pages. Children under the age of 12 are advised to skip ahead to the New York Yankees.
SEAN BERGMAN 1970 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 NIA 73.7 108 71 6 47 47 8.67 1 7 13.19 5.74 5.74 1992 LAK 78.0 74 42 8 20 52 4.85 4 5 8.54 2.31 6.00 1992 LON 82.0 93 55 6 51 50 6.04 3 6 10.21 5.60 5.49 1993 TOL 110.0 130 58 10 59 80 4.75 5 7 10.64 4.83 6.55 1993 DET 39.0 48 24 6 21 21 5.54 1 3 11.08 4.85 4.85 1994 TOL 147.7 155 72 18 55 132 4.39 7 9 9.45 3.35 8.05 1994 DET 17.3 22 9 1 7 13 4.67 1 1 11.42 3.63 6.75 1995 DET 133.3 155 64 14 57 92 4.32 7 8 10.46 3.85 6.21Left alone in the rotation, Bergman was the Tigers' ace by year's end. It wasn't a great year, but there were some positives to build on. Throws far too few first-pitch strikes, and has enough stuff that if he improves a bit there, he could grow into a #3 starter. No star potential.
BEN BLOMDAHL 1971 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 NIA 66.7 92 54 7 59 18 7.29 2 5 12.42 7.97 2.43 1992 FAY 93.0 125 68 14 28 43 6.58 3 7 12.10 2.71 4.16 1992 LAK 55.7 96 47 10 9 32 7.60 1 5 15.52 1.46 5.17 1993 LON 111.7 118 59 11 45 60 4.76 5 7 9.51 3.63 4.84 1993 TOL 59.3 70 32 9 22 24 4.85 3 4 10.62 3.34 3.64 1994 TOL 156.0 205 85 20 48 75 4.90 7 10 11.83 2.77 4.33 1995 TOL 52.7 64 27 5 15 37 4.61 3 3 10.94 2.56 6.32 1995 DET 23.3 33 15 3 11 16 5.79 1 2 12.73 4.24 6.17Bumped his strikeout rate a bit after moving to the bullpen, and held his walks steady. Mike Christopher is the only Tiger reliever with a job going into spring training, so the opportunity is there.
JOE BOEVER 1961 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 PHP 97.7 98 44 12 56 97 4.05 5 6 9.03 5.16 8.94 1992 HOU 111.0 110 38 5 48 75 3.08 8 4 8.92 3.89 6.08 1993 DET 22.7 14 7 2 11 16 2.78 2 1 5.56 4.37 6.35 1993 OAK 77.7 88 33 6 30 55 3.82 5 4 10.20 3.48 6.37 1994 DET 80.0 82 32 8 34 53 3.60 5 4 9.23 3.83 5.96 1995 DET 97.0 117 50 12 37 76 4.64 5 6 10.86 3.43 7.05Gets no respect, but this was the first year his unadjusted ERA had been over 4.00 since 1987. There's a lot of value in a guy who'll take 100 innings a year no one else wants and pitch well. Strikeout/walk data was as good as ever, and there was no sign of injury, so he should come back. He's 35, and may have to go hat-in-hand to find a job.
BRIAN BOHANON 1969 LBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 PCH 11.0 7 4 1 5 5 3.27 1 0 5.73 4.09 4.09 1991 TUL 10.7 10 8 1 11 5 6.75 0 1 8.44 9.28 4.22 1991 OKL 44.0 48 16 3 13 34 3.27 3 2 9.82 2.66 6.95 1991 TEX 60.0 68 30 4 22 39 4.50 3 4 10.20 3.30 5.85 1992 TUL 26.0 33 11 0 11 20 3.81 2 1 11.42 3.81 6.92 1992 OKL 53.0 59 22 5 16 25 3.74 3 3 10.02 2.72 4.25 1992 TEX 44.7 54 29 8 24 34 5.84 2 3 10.88 4.84 6.85 1993 TEX 91.0 106 43 7 43 51 4.25 5 5 10.48 4.25 5.04 1994 OKL 94.3 103 44 12 33 85 4.20 5 5 9.83 3.15 8.11 1994 TEX 37.0 47 21 6 6 27 5.11 2 2 11.43 1.46 6.57 1995 DET 104.3 111 46 8 35 68 3.97 6 6 9.58 3.02 5.87Seems like he's been around forever, but is just turning 27. 1994 K/BB numbers were a fluke, but he had a serviceable 1995 and is a valuable 10th or 11th pitcher on the staff, since he can start and relieve. No star potential, and could disappear at any time.
KENT BOTTENFIELD 1969 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 IND 159.0 175 104 26 58 103 5.89 6 12 9.91 3.28 5.83 1992 IND 144.7 149 63 14 60 113 3.92 8 8 9.27 3.73 7.03 1992 MON 32.3 29 10 2 12 16 2.78 3 1 8.07 3.34 4.45 1993 COL 75.3 75 38 13 39 30 4.54 3 5 8.96 4.66 3.58 1993 MON 82.0 100 49 13 36 36 5.38 3 6 10.98 3.95 3.95 1994 CSP 29.3 31 14 5 11 16 4.30 1 2 9.51 3.38 4.91 1994 PHX 33.0 30 12 3 12 10 3.27 2 2 8.18 3.27 2.73 1994 COL 24.7 24 11 1 10 15 4.01 1 2 8.76 3.65 5.47 1995 TOL 128.0 170 87 20 63 64 6.12 4 10 11.95 4.43 4.50Can swap stories with Greg W. Harris about what his career might have been like if he hadn't been traded to Colorado. Hasn't gotten anybody out since being sent west for Butch Henry in mid-1993. May resurface, but it won't be in 1996.
GARY BUCKELS 1966 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 EDM 51.7 66 26 5 19 32 4.53 3 3 11.50 3.31 5.57 1993 LOU 83.3 123 53 11 27 65 5.72 3 6 13.28 2.92 7.02 1994 LOU 74.7 72 29 5 21 68 3.50 5 3 8.68 2.53 8.20 1994 STL 12.0 7 4 2 7 9 3.00 1 0 5.25 5.25 6.75 1995 LOU 15.3 20 12 3 15 8 7.04 0 2 11.74 8.80 4.70 1995 TOL 43.3 45 16 2 22 36 3.32 3 2 9.35 4.57 7.48
KEN CARLYLE 1969 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 FAY 70.3 90 36 7 28 39 4.61 3 5 11.52 3.58 4.99 1993 LON 72.7 78 40 12 38 41 4.95 3 5 9.66 4.71 5.08 1993 TOL 71.3 91 54 15 40 38 6.81 2 6 11.48 5.05 4.79 1994 TRN 107.7 134 73 9 52 55 6.10 4 8 11.20 4.35 4.60 1994 TOL 23.3 24 12 2 8 11 4.63 1 2 9.26 3.09 4.24 1995 TOL 116.0 162 71 13 51 59 5.51 4 9 12.57 3.96 4.58
BLAS CEDENO 1973 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 FAY 130.0 183 84 20 62 66 5.82 4 10 12.67 4.29 4.57 1994 LAK 13.3 10 4 2 5 14 2.70 1 0 6.75 3.38 9.45 1994 TRN 47.7 55 25 5 30 32 4.72 2 3 10.38 5.66 6.04 1995 JAX 75.3 82 37 9 40 45 4.42 4 4 9.80 4.78 5.38Appears to be a reliever now, but 1:1 K/BB ratios in the low minors are not encouraging. 23, so he'll be around for a while. Check back in 1998.
MIKE CHRISTOPHER 1964 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 ABQ 71.3 79 26 2 31 65 3.28 5 3 9.97 3.91 8.20 1992 CSP 55.3 60 19 4 10 39 3.09 4 2 9.76 1.63 6.34 1992 CLE 17.7 17 7 2 10 15 3.57 1 1 8.66 5.09 7.64 1993 CHR 47.7 60 24 3 7 33 4.53 2 3 11.33 1.32 6.23 1993 CLE 11.7 13 5 2 2 9 3.86 1 0 10.03 1.54 6.94 1994 TOL 68.0 81 32 8 19 55 4.24 4 4 10.72 2.51 7.28 1995 TOL 34.0 44 16 2 10 30 4.24 2 2 11.65 2.65 7.94 1995 DET 61.0 66 21 5 10 37 3.10 4 3 9.74 1.48 5.46Scab. What he does on the field is irrelevant, because we'll never know if he really would have been good enough, or if he got in because he participated in the owners' sham.
JOHN DOHERTY 1967 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 LON 60.3 69 30 5 18 35 4.48 3 4 10.29 2.69 5.22 1992 DET 114.0 137 55 4 24 44 4.34 6 7 10.82 1.89 3.47 1993 DET 181.7 210 87 18 42 71 4.31 9 11 10.40 2.08 3.52 1994 DET 99.7 142 60 10 21 30 5.42 4 7 12.82 1.90 2.71 1995 DET 112.3 120 45 8 30 49 3.61 7 5 9.61 2.40 3.93He still can't dent bread with his fastball, but he pitched well out of the bullpen last year, and is moving toward that class of middle relievers who can have a good year at any time. Don't expect anything more, and if the Tigers try and expand his role, he will fail. But he would look good in Boever's spot.
MIKE GARDINER 1966 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 PAW 55.7 44 18 4 8 41 2.91 4 2 7.11 1.29 6.63 1991 BOS 128.0 147 70 18 46 104 4.92 6 8 10.34 3.23 7.31 1992 PAW 31.0 36 15 4 10 34 4.35 1 2 10.45 2.90 9.87 1992 BOS 128.0 130 68 13 56 94 4.78 6 8 9.14 3.94 6.61 1993 OTT 24.0 19 9 3 10 22 3.38 2 1 7.12 3.75 8.25 1993 DET 11.0 12 4 0 7 5 3.27 1 0 9.82 5.73 4.09 1993 MON 37.3 43 28 4 21 23 6.75 1 3 10.37 5.06 5.54 1994 DET 58.0 54 28 9 21 34 4.34 3 3 8.38 3.26 5.28 1995 TOL 15.0 22 11 1 15 9 6.60 1 1 13.20 9.00 5.40 1995 DET 11.7 25 13 4 1 7 10.03 0 1 19.29 .77 5.40
GREG GOHR 1968 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 LON 10.3 11 3 0 1 8 2.61 1 0 9.58 .87 6.97 1991 TOL 141.0 129 79 19 62 92 5.04 6 10 8.23 3.96 5.87 1992 TOL 124.3 130 62 13 49 84 4.49 6 8 9.41 3.55 6.08 1993 TOL 101.0 133 68 19 42 68 6.06 3 8 11.85 3.74 6.06 1993 DET 22.0 27 13 2 13 26 5.32 1 1 11.05 5.32 10.64 1994 TOL 69.7 81 32 8 18 51 4.13 4 4 10.46 2.33 6.59 1994 DET 33.0 37 15 2 20 23 4.09 2 2 10.09 5.45 6.27 1995 TOL 14.7 18 10 2 9 14 6.14 1 1 11.05 5.52 8.59 1995 DET 10.0 8 1 0 3 13 .90 1 0 7.20 2.70 11.70Here's what we do know: he deserves a shot at a job. In 65 well-scattered major league innings, he has an adjusted ERA of 4.02 and adjusted K/9 of 8.6. The Tigers absolutely cannot afford to disregard that. He looked quite healthy at the end of 1995, and may be ready to start his career now. Speculation is he'll compete for the closer spot, but would be better served in middle relief, building up innings and confidence.
GARY GOLDSMITH 1972 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 NIA 48.0 60 35 11 28 37 6.56 1 4 11.25 5.25 6.94 1994 LAK 111.0 123 59 10 58 68 4.78 5 7 9.97 4.70 5.51 1994 TRN 24.0 25 12 4 10 21 4.50 1 2 9.38 3.75 7.88 1995 JAX 77.3 87 55 21 35 35 6.40 3 6 10.12 4.07 4.07
FRANK GONZALES 1968 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 LAK 132.7 164 82 12 61 77 5.56 5 10 11.13 4.14 5.22 1992 LON 61.7 73 28 9 11 31 4.09 3 4 10.65 1.61 4.52 1992 TOL 93.0 106 46 9 38 58 4.45 4 6 10.26 3.68 5.61 1993 TOL 103.3 122 53 14 42 63 4.62 5 6 10.63 3.66 5.49 1994 TOL 109.3 149 71 12 61 78 5.84 4 8 12.27 5.02 6.42 1995 TOL 49.3 49 26 6 19 51 4.74 2 3 8.94 3.47 9.30
DWAYNE HENRY 1962 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 HOU 67.3 54 24 8 40 55 3.21 4 3 7.22 5.35 7.35 1992 CIN 83.7 62 30 6 46 80 3.23 5 4 6.67 4.95 8.61 1993 SEA 53.0 57 33 6 33 40 5.60 2 4 9.68 5.60 6.79 1995 TOL 45.3 49 24 4 27 49 4.76 2 3 9.73 5.36 9.73
GREG KEAGLE 1971 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 SPO 72.0 103 42 6 35 47 5.25 3 5 12.88 4.38 5.88 1994 RCU 84.7 72 28 3 44 66 2.98 6 3 7.65 4.68 7.02 1994 WIC 64.7 81 44 9 34 44 6.12 2 5 11.27 4.73 6.12 1995 MEM 75.7 88 51 16 46 68 6.07 2 6 10.47 5.47 8.09 1995 LVG 71.3 74 40 5 44 49 5.05 3 5 9.34 5.55 6.18Taken from San Diego in the major league Rule V draft, which means he'll be on the roster unless he's awful. No reason to expect a contribution in 1996.
JOHN KELLY 1968 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 SAV 53.0 62 28 11 16 39 4.75 2 4 10.53 2.72 6.62 1992 STP 56.7 60 24 6 18 46 3.81 3 3 9.53 2.86 7.31 1993 ARK 54.3 63 36 7 16 32 5.96 2 4 10.44 2.65 5.30 1994 ARK 28.7 42 25 5 5 23 7.85 1 2 13.19 1.57 7.22 1994 LOU 20.0 24 11 3 5 14 4.95 1 1 10.80 2.25 6.30 1995 JAX 71.7 89 32 4 24 40 4.02 4 4 11.18 3.01 5.02
JOSE LIMA 1973 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 FAY 53.0 61 46 12 28 37 7.81 1 5 10.36 4.75 6.28 1992 LAK 139.3 164 84 35 31 107 5.43 5 10 10.59 2.00 6.91 1993 LON 167.3 173 98 31 63 115 5.27 7 12 9.30 3.39 6.19 1994 TOL 136.3 130 66 20 51 107 4.36 7 8 8.58 3.37 7.06 1995 LAK 20.0 25 12 5 0 15 5.40 1 1 11.25 .00 6.75 1995 TOL 70.3 81 31 10 16 38 3.97 4 4 10.36 2.05 4.86 1995 DET 72.7 79 35 8 14 40 4.33 4 4 9.78 1.73 4.95One of the real pitching prospects the Tigers are pushing. Lima's 23, has a fair history of success, and will probably get his brains beat in this year. He's way too hittable and doesn't strike enough people out to get away with it. If the Tigers stay with him, he'll learn and be able to contribute in 1997. Very good control.
FELIPE LIRA 1972 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 FAY 65.3 98 52 19 18 34 7.16 2 5 13.50 2.48 4.68 1992 LAK 99.7 120 53 17 24 66 4.79 5 6 10.84 2.17 5.96 1993 LON 141.7 175 70 19 41 101 4.45 7 9 11.12 2.60 6.42 1993 TOL 29.7 34 17 6 12 20 5.16 1 2 10.31 3.64 6.07 1994 TOL 143.7 180 83 22 47 100 5.20 6 10 11.28 2.94 6.26 1995 DET 144.7 140 50 13 47 96 3.11 10 6 8.71 2.92 5.97A major league pitcher at 23. Lira had as good a year in 1995 as Andy Pettite, but the Tigers second-half collapse obscured him. Brought his good K/BB ratio with him to the majors, kept the ball in the park, eliminated the running game (13 attempts, 6 CS). The Tigers' #1 starter when the year starts, and highly recommended.
RANDY MARSHALL 1967 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 LON 148.3 204 93 27 15 87 5.64 5 11 12.38 .91 5.28 1992 TID 143.3 188 77 20 34 79 4.83 7 9 11.80 2.13 4.96 1993 BIN 32.0 65 36 5 8 17 10.12 1 3 18.28 2.25 4.78 1993 CSP 19.3 31 14 3 6 10 6.52 1 1 14.43 2.79 4.66 1994 CSP 38.3 43 18 6 14 25 4.23 2 2 10.10 3.29 5.87 1995 TOL 102.7 116 44 9 34 63 3.86 6 5 10.17 2.98 5.52Good half-year at Toledo, but probably too late for anyone to care. Could get lucky and throw 70 innings of 3.60 middle relief. Could chuck it all and raise cattle.
BRIAN MAXCY 1971 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 FAY 99.7 140 64 7 47 65 5.78 4 7 12.64 4.24 5.87 1994 TRN 10.0 7 2 0 4 4 1.80 1 0 6.30 3.60 3.60 1994 TOL 42.3 33 12 1 19 39 2.55 4 1 7.02 4.04 8.29 1995 TOL 24.0 36 21 4 13 10 7.88 1 2 13.50 4.88 3.75 1995 DET 51.3 56 32 6 27 21 5.61 2 4 9.82 4.73 3.68Convinced by either the hit-and-a-half an inning or the strikeout a week, Sparky brought him up in August after the Henneman trade and called him a closer, which got Guillermo Hernandez excited about his chances once again. Prospect status appears to be completely based on the 42 innings at Toledo in 1994. Check back in 1997.
JEFF MCCURRY 1970 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 WEL 12.7 16 7 0 12 11 4.97 0 1 11.37 8.53 7.82 1992 AUG 25.3 42 20 2 18 22 7.11 1 2 14.92 6.39 7.82 1992 SLM 57.0 64 31 6 29 38 4.89 2 4 10.11 4.58 6.00 1993 SLM 40.0 44 22 5 19 22 4.95 2 2 9.90 4.28 4.95 1993 CAR 26.7 28 12 2 16 11 4.05 1 2 9.45 5.40 3.71 1994 CAR 75.3 82 38 11 37 51 4.54 3 5 9.80 4.42 6.09 1995 PIT 60.7 75 33 6 29 26 4.90 3 4 11.13 4.30 3.86Picked up on waivers from Pittsburgh, where he threw 60 desultory innings in one of the most faceless bullpens in major league history. Cannon fodder.
TREVER MILLER 1973 LBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 FAY 145.7 176 120 21 77 74 7.41 4 12 10.87 4.76 4.57 1994 TRN 160.0 219 95 14 54 58 5.34 6 12 12.32 3.04 3.26 1995 JAX 113.0 144 52 6 38 65 4.14 6 7 11.47 3.03 5.18Primary positive is his ability to keep the ball in the park, a nice trait for a Tiger pitcher. Strikeouts came back a little this year, walks stayed down. Just 23, and if he continues to improve, will have a career. Pitchers like this have to be very good to get a shot, though, since thet don't impress the radar guns.
BRIAN MOEHLER 1972 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 NIA 51.7 67 51 10 38 22 8.88 1 5 11.67 6.62 3.83 1994 LAK 150.7 181 77 9 73 78 4.60 7 10 10.81 4.36 4.66 1995 JAX 151.3 200 100 21 58 75 5.95 5 12 11.89 3.45 4.46
MIKE MOORE 1960 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 OAK 206.7 195 72 11 104 177 3.14 14 9 8.49 4.53 7.71 1992 OAK 218.7 252 110 22 102 141 4.53 11 13 10.37 4.20 5.80 1993 DET 210.3 231 112 34 83 101 4.79 9 14 9.88 3.55 4.32 1994 DET 151.7 155 78 22 83 67 4.63 7 10 9.20 4.93 3.98 1995 DET 130.3 163 79 19 58 68 5.46 5 9 11.26 4.01 4.70Career is probably over, since no one bothered to pick him up last summer despite the fact that five or six teams were looking for a pitcher in the midst of the wild-card chase. After wasting his best years on some bad Mariners teams, he had a good run as an innings sponge, hit a memorable World Series triple, and got a ring...not the kind of career we'll look back on and remember fondly, but a good baseball player.
MIKE MYERS 1969 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CLN 57.7 86 36 8 17 39 5.62 2 4 13.42 2.65 6.09 1992 CLN 35.0 35 15 1 8 20 3.86 2 2 9.00 2.06 5.14 1992 SJO 50.3 56 28 2 14 32 5.01 2 4 10.01 2.50 5.72 1993 EDM 150.3 193 97 27 54 99 5.81 5 12 11.55 3.23 5.93 1994 BRV 10.3 10 4 2 4 13 3.48 1 0 8.71 3.48 11.32 1994 EDM 56.0 72 32 9 21 51 5.14 2 4 11.57 3.38 8.20 1995 CHR 34.7 43 24 8 17 22 6.23 1 3 11.16 4.41 5.71Well, now we know what he does between "Halloween" movies.
CHRISTOPHER NITKOWSKI 1973 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1994 CHT 68.7 75 38 7 48 53 4.98 3 5 9.83 6.29 6.95 1995 CHT 47.3 42 20 1 22 43 3.80 3 2 7.99 4.18 8.18 1995 IND 26.7 33 18 3 11 21 6.08 1 2 11.14 3.71 7.09 1995 CIN 31.7 44 24 4 16 18 6.82 1 3 12.51 4.55 5.12 1995 DET 38.7 48 21 5 17 14 4.89 2 2 11.17 3.96 3.26Called up in middle of Cincinnati's pitcher panic last year, he was beaten soundly about the head and shoulders. Moving to Detroit in the David Wells trade, he managed to restrict the abuse to his shoulders. Needs to get a full year at AAA. Check back in 1997.
OMAR OLIVARES 1968 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 LOU 33.7 41 14 1 15 25 3.74 2 2 10.96 4.01 6.68 1991 STL 166.3 165 74 18 64 99 4.00 9 9 8.93 3.46 5.36 1992 STL 196.7 211 92 28 69 141 4.21 10 12 9.66 3.16 6.45 1993 STL 116.7 134 54 10 58 66 4.17 6 7 10.34 4.47 5.09 1994 LOU 45.3 49 21 5 16 37 4.17 2 3 9.73 3.18 7.35 1994 STL 73.3 78 41 10 37 26 5.03 3 5 9.57 4.54 3.19 1995 CSP 11.0 14 6 2 2 6 4.91 0 1 11.45 1.64 4.91 1995 SWB 41.0 55 26 3 23 26 5.71 2 3 12.07 5.05 5.71 1995 COL 30.7 40 21 4 21 14 6.16 1 2 11.74 6.16 4.11 1995 PHI 10.0 12 6 1 2 7 5.40 0 1 10.80 1.80 6.30Could contribute as a pinch-hitter (career batting: .229, 4 HR), but if he tries to pitch, shoot on sight.
JON RATLIFF 1972 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 GEN 12.3 14 11 2 11 4 8.03 0 1 10.22 8.03 2.92 1993 DAY 36.3 56 33 2 26 13 8.17 1 3 13.87 6.44 3.22 1994 DAY 50.0 72 28 8 5 14 5.04 2 4 12.96 .90 2.52 1994 ORL 56.7 96 54 8 32 17 8.58 1 5 15.25 5.08 2.70 1994 IOW 27.0 41 20 6 8 10 6.67 1 2 13.67 2.67 3.33 1995 ORL 130.0 178 83 14 48 81 5.75 5 9 12.32 3.32 5.61Taken from the Cubs in the major league Rule V draft, and will battle Keagle for the last spot on the staff. No reason to expect anything positive until 1998.
CLINT SODOWSKY 1973 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 FAY 137.0 214 119 28 56 51 7.82 3 12 14.06 3.68 3.35 1994 LAK 102.3 128 67 13 38 62 5.89 3 8 11.26 3.34 5.45 1995 JAX 115.7 118 52 6 56 65 4.05 6 7 9.18 4.36 5.06 1995 TOL 56.3 55 24 6 34 30 3.83 3 3 8.79 5.43 4.79 1995 DET 22.7 22 10 3 16 15 3.97 2 1 8.74 6.35 5.96Posted a good ERA at Jacksonville, but with peripheral numbers that scream "no prospect." The ERA was OK at Toledo as well, with the same peripherals, so the Tigers decided to plug him into the rotation in September. Needs at least one more full year in the minors, because you can't win in the major leagues walking as many as you strike out. Just 23, should have a career, but not until 1997.
JUSTIN THOMPSON 1973 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 FAY 83.0 109 52 12 48 59 5.64 3 6 11.82 5.20 6.40 1993 LAK 49.3 78 31 4 18 40 5.66 2 3 14.23 3.28 7.30 1993 LON 77.0 105 51 12 40 60 5.96 3 6 12.27 4.68 7.01 1995 LAK 21.3 34 14 2 8 15 5.91 1 1 14.34 3.38 6.33 1995 JAX 115.7 126 61 11 43 83 4.75 5 8 9.80 3.35 6.46The latest Golden Boy in the Tiger system. Missed all of 1994 with an elbow injury, and his health is always a concern. But he throws strikes, doesn't give up homers and has an out pitch, a curveball, which enables him to get the strikeout when needed. Needs careful handling: absolutely should not start the year with Detroit, but with a good spring, probably will, which would be detrimental to his development.
RICKY TRLICEK 1969 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 KNX 48.7 44 32 9 24 45 5.92 2 3 8.14 4.44 8.32 1992 SYR 40.7 38 21 3 33 31 4.65 2 3 8.41 7.30 6.86 1993 LAD 63.3 60 30 4 23 44 4.26 3 4 8.53 3.27 6.25 1994 NBR 24.0 12 4 0 7 10 1.50 3 0 4.50 2.62 3.75 1994 PAW 26.3 22 13 3 14 18 4.44 1 2 7.52 4.78 6.15 1994 BOS 21.7 30 15 3 15 7 6.23 1 1 12.46 6.23 2.91 1995 CAN 36.0 39 18 6 17 23 4.50 2 2 9.75 4.25 5.75 1995 PHX 60.0 68 36 10 22 43 5.40 2 5 10.20 3.30 6.45
MICKEY WESTON 1961 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 SYR 155.7 206 79 11 26 57 4.57 7 10 11.91 1.50 3.30 1992 SWB 161.3 199 78 17 31 73 4.35 8 10 11.10 1.73 4.07 1993 NOR 120.7 159 73 12 21 36 5.44 5 8 11.86 1.57 2.69 1994 NHV 11.0 13 5 1 2 9 4.09 0 1 10.64 1.64 7.36 1994 CSP 49.7 71 29 5 17 27 5.26 2 4 12.87 3.08 4.89 1995 TOL 169.3 199 78 18 48 65 4.15 9 10 10.58 2.55 3.45Another good year from the dean of minor league starters. Weston has been a major league pitcher for a decade now, but a pitcher of this type needs an extended chance, and he never got one. Could probably still help a team, but has no chance of finding a spot.
SEAN WHITESIDE 1971 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 NIA 61.0 78 42 7 33 42 6.20 2 5 11.51 4.87 6.20 1993 FAY 88.7 135 79 20 47 54 8.02 2 8 13.70 4.77 5.48 1994 LAK 28.7 26 8 0 14 33 2.51 2 1 8.16 4.40 10.36 1994 TRN 34.3 29 14 3 16 25 3.67 2 2 7.60 4.19 6.55 1995 JAX 30.7 39 20 4 22 14 5.87 1 2 11.45 6.46 4.11Left-handed, no major league credentials, called up to the Tigers last summer.
BRIAN WILLIAMS 1969 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 OSC 82.7 90 56 6 45 52 6.10 3 6 9.80 4.90 5.66 1991 JAC 13.3 20 9 1 7 13 6.08 0 1 13.50 4.72 8.78 1991 TUC 36.0 34 19 4 22 27 4.75 2 2 8.50 5.50 6.75 1991 HOU 12.0 12 5 2 4 4 3.75 1 0 9.00 3.00 3.00 1992 TUC 65.7 73 30 5 24 57 4.11 3 4 10.01 3.29 7.81 1992 HOU 96.0 98 44 13 45 61 4.12 5 6 9.19 4.22 5.72 1993 HOU 81.0 78 45 9 41 60 5.00 4 5 8.67 4.56 6.67 1994 TUC 19.0 20 6 0 9 16 2.84 1 1 9.47 4.26 7.58 1994 HOU 78.0 111 55 9 42 50 6.35 3 6 12.81 4.85 5.77 1995 SDP 71.7 80 47 4 38 74 5.90 3 5 10.05 4.77 9.29Another ex-Padre for Randy Smith. Williams has driven two organizations crazy with his struggles, and moves on to his third. Strikeouts bounced up last year, but with pretty much the same BB/9 and H/9 numbers. It was a better season, but still not good. May need to spend a full year at AAA, in one role, just to work out the control problems. If handled right, could still be a contributor. Watch carefully.
SHANNON WITHEM 1973 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 NIA 23.0 36 16 1 11 10 6.26 1 2 14.09 4.30 3.91 1991 FAY 40.0 81 56 7 34 11 12.60 0 4 18.23 7.65 2.47 1992 FAY 33.0 52 31 8 24 23 8.45 1 3 14.18 6.55 6.27 1993 LAK 103.7 126 59 15 26 54 5.12 5 7 10.94 2.26 4.69 1994 TRN 164.7 213 82 15 38 107 4.48 8 10 11.64 2.08 5.85 1995 JAX 100.0 162 80 24 27 68 7.20 3 8 14.58 2.43 6.12Great control, but if the league's hitting .330 against you, it doesn't matter much. No prospect, but could still end up getting six starts for the big club.