As we are now approaching the half way point of their first full season, I thought it would be a good idea to check up on some of last seasons highly regarded draft picks. Among the many 2008 Draft picks was a solid core of arms again.
Dave Dombrowski drafted solid relievers that could be MLB ready soon to put some Neosporin and a band aide on a wounded Tiger bullpen. With that said lets take a look at some of our newest Tigers that are earning their stripes.
Well unless you have been living under a rock the last six months, you have already heard of the flame throwing RYAN PERRY who was our first round selection. In 12 1/3 innings during Spring Training he posted a 1-1 record with a 0.73ERA and 11 strikeouts.
That performance rightfully earned him a spot in the Detroit Tiger bullpen, where this season he has had a few speed bumps and at times had command issues. However, his 3.67ERA and 24 strikeouts through 27 innings has made him a reliable reliever already.
Selected in the second round was the 6′5 right handed starter CODY SATTERWHITE. Cody was converted into a reliever and has been pitching in AA Erie this season. He has recently been assigned the closer role and has a 1-4 record with 8 saves and a 3.08ERA. Through his 26 1/3 innings pitched he has recorded 31 strikeouts.
The 6′7 right handed SCOTT GREEN was selected in the third round last year and is currently pitching relief in High A Lakeland. He has a 3-1 record with a 3.42ERA and 6 saves at the break.
Although the numbers look solid, often times Green has looked shaky. Batters hit .312 against him and he has also battled command issues. In his last 10 games he has walked 11 in 12 innings. With his height and our lack of pitching depth im surprised that he has not been converted back to a starter.
The 6′6 right handed BRETT JACOBSON was selected next in the fourth round and is also pitching relief in High A Lakeland. He is 1-1 with a 3.58ERA with 21 strikeouts through 27 2/3 innings. Often times this season he has been used in long relief. Batters are hitting .274 against him and he has issued only nine free passes.
ALEX AVILIA was selected in the fifth round to fill our depleted depth a catcher. Besides knowing that he was the son of Assistant GM Al Avilia, I honestly had no knowledge of him. He skipped A ball all together and is playing in AA Erie.
Through 53 games Alex is hitting .274 with 15 doubles, 1 triple, and 5 home runs. He has an OB percentage of .367 and an OPS of .814. This has all been encouraging to me because let's face it when they just let James Skelton go I for one almost snapped. It seemed as if our catching depth was just not a concern.
Avilia has been solid to say the least and along the Dusty Ryan we now have two young promising catchers. Avilia is also a left handed batter so I look for him to move up quickly if this production continues.
In the 10th round ROBBIE WEINHARDT was selected. The 6′2 right hander has dominated this season in High A Lakeland. He is 0-1 with a 0.70 ERA in 25 2/3 innings of work, he has also racked up 33 strikeouts. Batters are hitting just .204 against him and he has only walked 10.
I am honestly surprised to see him still in Lakeland. Honestly, every time I go to Joker Marchant Stadium I am expecting to not see him on the roster. It is only a matter of time before he gets promoted and I expect big things from this kid.
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