Detroit Tigers 2015 Franchise

[ptautscher]

Hi all, I am a baseball fan from the UK and I interested in starting a thread on here for my favourite team the Tigers. I would probably do it quite in depth, giving in game weekly updates on the minors and how notables are doing, along with all the other major occurrences in the league.
However, before I start it I wondered if anyone would actually be interested in reading it, considering there are a few dormant ootp 16 tigers franchises on here.
Just let me know and will start it soon if there is enough interest!

Thanks

[jwinbigler]

My advice: don't worry about whether or not people are interested before you start. Do it for yourself, and if it's good, people will read and follow.

[ptautscher]

Originally Posted by jwinbigler

My advice: don't worry about whether or not people are interested before you start. Do it for yourself, and if it's good, people will read and follow.

Good advice. Cheers will start tonight!

[ptautscher]

Although in real life Verlander is injured and out for a while it seems like, in my game he is not, which therefore means unfortunately Lobstein begins in triple A, but its good to have the Tigers true ace in the rotation. However, if one of the starters isnt performing or gets injured, Lobstein is my go to guy.




The lineup is pretty standard, with gose and davis platooning, and depending on how each of them hit i may change that. I see Gose as my future centerfielder for years to come however, things can change quickly. I may chop and change the three cleanup hitters, and possibly may look to flip V-Mart at the deadline, again it is all down to the production i get from him...

Prospect Overview to follow.

[ptautscher]

Although we are dead last in the farm rankings, i believe we have a fair few good pieces that could be real producers at the major league level.

Triple A - Toledo Mud Hens
SP-Kyle Lobstein Age:25 (0.5*/1.5*)
I really don't think OOTP does Lobstein justice with his ratings. He has been solid in real life with a mid 3 era through a couple starts. He looks like he will probably end up being a reliever down the road, though if he performs well in triple A or if someone gets injured, i will definitely give him a fair shot.

SP-Buck Farmer 24 (0.5*/2.5*)
I am very excited for Farmer and will definitely be keeping an eye on him. He burst onto the scene out of nowhere last year, and I am hoping he will be with us for the long haul. He has a plus fastball, and should be a innings eater when he eventually reaches Detroit.

SP-Drew VerHagen 24 (1.5*/2*)
Already rated better than Simon and Greene, the 6'5" giant out of Vanderbilt could make a claim to be in the starting rotation from the get go. The problem is his stuff is still a little raw, however should he be able to cancel that out with his plus movement, he will be in with shout should simon or greene go down. Starts on the DL.

CP/RP-Jose Valdez 25 (3*/4*)
There is no question in my eyes that valdez is ready. He has amazing stuff with a beautifully crafted curveball. I am most likely going to try and move nathan for a few prospects, or anything i can get for him, and then Valdez will no doubt be up instantaneously.

SS/2B-Dixon Machado 23 (1*/2.5*)
Dixon profiles fairly similarly to Iglesias and there is my main problem! Therefore, as i see Iglesias as the future at short, Long term I think I will move DIxon to second base. He is a plus defender at short however no where near as good as Iglesias, he should be able to transition fine. He will hopefully develop his bat more and be the replacement for Kinsler. Albeit, not as good.

OF-Daniel Fields 24 (1*/2.5*)
Although Gose is same age, i am excited for Fields to contribute in the bigs. He has the ability to hit for a decent average and decent power numbers. With time at Toledo i could see him develop his patience, which is his main problem, and become a decent leadoff hitter, similar to Austin Jackson...

OF-Tyler Collins 24 (1*/3.5*)
Considered by OSA as our best prospect, Collins is probably the best all round hitting prospect. He has good raw power and a decent average hitting swing, and should see a callup relatively soon, provided he hits at Toledo.

OF-Steven Moya 23 (1.5*/4*)
If raw power was ever personified, Moya has to be my vote. A huge 6'5" slugger, he has the ability to be a 30-40 home run guy. What he needs work on is his pitch recognition and plate discipline. Once he has that under control, there is nothing else i can do but call him up. Starts on the DL, so will hope he can get off to a quick start when he is back.

Double A - Erie Seawolves

3B/CF-Francisco Martinez 24 (1*/2.5*)

OF-Wynton Bernard 24 (1*/2.5*)

3B-Jefry Marte 23 (1*/2.5*)

SP-Austin Kubitza 23 (0.5*/1.5*)

CL/RP-Melvin Mercedes 24 (0.5*/1.5*)

Single A - Lakeland Flying Tigers

C-Grayson Greiner 22 (1*/3.5*)

CF-Derek Hill 19 (1*/4*)

2B-Javier Betancourt 19 (1*/1.5*)


Will keep track of the minor transactions, to see if any other prospects burst onto the scene!

[ptautscher]

[ptautscher]

Short and sweet, 1 day into my tenure...


Well lets hope his son doesn't die tomorrow.

[buckeye22]

I'll be following, and eventually I plan on picking mine back up. A mix of life and MLB the Show 15 has completely ruined my OOTP time for now, but I made too many moves and got too close to the World Series in year 1 to stop now lol.

Sucks that Mr. I died for you already. I'm hoping I can get him a championship before he goes, but I know that time is coming.

Good luck!

[ptautscher]

The Price is right at Comerica.


The Tigers defense of the AL Central began with an excellent victory over the Twins. Price was dominant through 8, as he only allowed 4 hits and k'd 4. Kinsler and Cespedes both went yard as the tigers banged out 9 hits out of a poor Hughes.

(0-1) Minnesota Twins 0-7 Detroit Tigers (1-0)

Notables:

Tigers:
Price- 8IP, 4H,4K,2BB
Kinsler- 2-3, HR, 3RBIs
Gose- 3-4 3R
Cespedes- 1-4, HR, 3RBIs


Twins:
Escobar- 2-2


Note- from now on i will do weekly updates with minors

[ptautscher]

Fresh off his dominating win on opening day, David Price has signed a 7 yr $157,800,000 deal, keeping him in Michigan for the foreseeable future.

[ptautscher]

4/8/15 - Minnesota Twins (0-1) at Detroit Tigers (1-0)
Jhoulys Chacin (0-0, 0.00) vs. Justin Verlander (0-0, 0.00)
f/Twins 1, Tigers 2
WP: Justin Verlander (1-0, 1.29) / LP: Jhoulys Chacin (0-1, 2.84)
SV: Joakim Soria (1, 0.00)

4/9/15 - Minnesota Twins (0-2) at Detroit Tigers (2-0)
Ricky Nolasco (0-0, 0.00) vs. Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 0.00)
f/Twins 5, Tigers 15
WP: Joba Chamberlain (1-0, 0.00) / LP: Ricky Nolasco (0-1, 0.00) (10 unearned runs in 1IP)
SV: N/A

4/10/15 - Detroit Tigers (3-0) at Cleveland Indians (1-2)
Shane Greene (0-0, 0.00) vs. Zach McAllister (0-0, 0.00)
f/Tigers 2, Indians 9
WP: Zach McAllister (1-0, 3.00) / LP: Shane Greene (0-1, 32.40)
SV: Shaun Marcum (1, 0.00)

4/11/15 - Detroit Tigers (3-1) at Cleveland Indians (2-2)
David Price (1-0, 0.00) vs. Danny Salazar (0-0, 0.00)
f/Tigers 5, Indians 3
WP: Angel Nesbitt (1-0, 0.00) / LP: Bryan Shaw (0-1, 10.80)
SV: Joakim Soria (2, 0.00)

4/12/15 - Detroit Tigers (4-1) at Cleveland Indians (2-3)
Alfredo Simon (0-0, 0.00) vs. Corey Kluber (1-0, 3.38)
f/Tigers 4, Indians 6
WP: Corey Kluber (2-0, 4.11) / LP: Alfredo Simon (0-1, 6.00)
SV: Cody Allen (2, 0.00)




Detroit
Notable Performers


SP-David Price: 11.2IP, 8K's, 1-0, 0.77 ERA
SP-Justin Verlander: 7IP, 10K's, 1.29 ERA
CL-Joakim Soria: 2SV's, 0.00 ERA


1B-Miguel Cabrera: .321/.406/.786, 4HR's, 11RBI's
2B-Ian Kinsler: .296/.375/.407, HR, 7RBI's

The Farm

Notable Performers

SP-Kyle Lobstein: 7IP, 6K's, 1-0, 0.00 ERA (TOL)
SP-Austin Kubitza: 8IP, 8K's, 1-0, 1.13 ERA (ERI)
CL-John Laxer: 2IP, 2SV's, 3K's (WMI)

OF-Tyler Collins: .333/.375/.600, HR, 2RBI's (TOL)
DH-Mike Hessman: .308/.308/.615, HR, 5RBI's (TOL)
SS-Harold Castro: .333/.333/.556, HR, 3RBI's (ERI)
1B-Dominic Ficociello: .526/.526/.895, HR, 5RBI's (LAK)
OF-Derek Hill: .500/.588/.571, 4RBI's, 3BB's (LAK)

Injuries
Jose Iglesias has torn his hamstring beating out a groundball in the Cleveland series, and he is set to miss 2 months. To provide cover for Romine and Perez in the middle infield, Dixon Machado has joined the big club, will start against lefties.

Top prospects SP Drew VerHagen and OF Steven Moya are both under a week away from making their season debuts, and should be in the next update.



Major Trades

Blue Jays send $3,000,000 and C Dioner Navarro to the Dbacks, for SP Rubby De la Rosa.

Brewers acquire CF Jon Jay from the Cards for SS Hector Gomez and minor leaguer, SP Cy Sneed.

[ptautscher]

I would appreciate feedback on the layout and what i have mentioned in it etc, as this is my first go! The more critical the better haha.

[ptautscher]

i have decided i will do more in depth monthly reports, with series roundups, how the starters are hitting and pitching, and a good look at all the prospects, as well as a league roundup ie trades injuries standing league leaders etc

[WeagleWeagle]

Very ominous start with the your owner dying day 1! I will be following along and the format seems find to me so far

[ptautscher]

Recap
April was a very successful month for the AL Central champions. A record of 15-6 is good enough for a 5 game lead atop the division, with the rest of the teams stuttering to sub .500 records. The main reason has been the league leading .285 batting average which has been led by the exploits of Miggy (.370).

Series @Pittsburgh
4/13/15 - Detroit Tigers (4-2) at Pittsburgh Pirates (6-0)
Justin Verlander (1-0, 1.29) vs. Francisco Liriano (0-0, 2.57)
f/10 Tigers 3, Pirates 2
WP: Joakim Soria (1-0, 0.00) / LP: Arquimedes Caminero (0-1, 9.00)
SV: Angel Nesbitt (1, 0.00)

4/14/15 - Detroit Tigers (5-2) at Pittsburgh Pirates (6-1)
Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 11.25) vs. Vance Worley (1-0, 6.75)
f/Tigers 5, Pirates 8
WP: Vance Worley (2-0, 6.17) / LP: Anibal Sanchez (0-1, 12.00)
SV: Mark Melancon (4, 3.86)

4/15/15 - Detroit Tigers (5-3) at Pittsburgh Pirates (7-1)
Shane Greene (0-1, 32.40) vs. Aj Burnett (1-0, 3.86)
f/Tigers 8, Pirates 0
WP: Shane Greene (1-1, 6.23) / LP: Aj Burnett (1-1, 2.57)
SV: N/A

4/17/15 - Detroit Tigers (6-3) vs Chicago White Sox (5-3)
Alfredo Simon (0-1, 6.00) vs. Jose Quintana (1-1, 1.69)
f/Tigers 9, White Sox 6
WP: Tom Gorzelanny (1-0, 1.93) / LP: Jose Quintana (1-2, 5.09)
SV: Angel Nesbitt (2, 0.00)

4/18/15 - Detroit Tigers (7-3) vs Chicago White Sox (5-4)
Tom Gorzelanny (1-0, 1.93) vs. Kyle Drabek (1-0, 1.29)
f/Tigers 5, White Sox 4
WP: Angel Nesbitt (2-0, 0.00) / LP: Kyle Drabek (1-1, 3.00)
SV: Joakim Soria (3, 1.50)

4/19/15 - Detroit Tigers (8-3) vs Chicago White Sox (5-5)
Justin Verlander (1-0, 1.29) vs. Chris Sale (0-0, 0.00)
f/10 Tigers 8 , White Sox 7
WP: Joba Chamberlain (2-0, 2.61) / LP: David Robertson (0-1, 5.79)
SV: N/A
4/20/15 - Detroit Tigers (9-3) vs New York Yankees (6-6)
Anibal Sanchez (0-1, 12.00) vs. CC Sabathia (0-1, 5.68)
f/ Tigers 4 , Yankees 3
WP: Angel Nesbitt (3-0, 0.00) / LP: Esmil Rogers (0-3, 10.80)
SV: N/A

4/21/15 - Detroit Tigers (10-3) vs New York Yankees (6-7)
Shane Greene (1-1, 6.23) vs. Nathan Eovaldi (0-1, 10.24)
f/ Tigers 2 , Yankees 5
WP: Nathan Eovaldi (1-1, 7.47) / LP: Shane Greene (1-2, 6.75)
SV: Dellin Betances (2, 2.84)

4/22/15 - Detroit Tigers (10-4) vs New York Yankees (7-7)
Alfredo Simon (0-1, 8.00) vs. Adam Warren (0-0, 3.60)
f/ Tigers 4 , Yankees 2
WP: Alfredo Simon (1-1, 5.74) / LP: Adam Warren (0-1, 4.91)
SV: Joe Nathan (1, 1.13)

4/23/15 - Detroit Tigers (11-4) vs New York Yankees (7-8)
David Price (1-0, 0.77) vs. Masahiro Tanaka (3-0, 1.09)
f/ Tigers 0 , Yankees 2
WP: Masahiro Tanaka (4-0, 0.83) / LP: David Price (1-1, 0.96)
SV: Dellin Betances (3, 2.45)

4/24/15 - Detroit Tigers (11-5) vs Cleveland Indians (6-8)
Justin Verlander (1-0, 4.26) vs. Corey Kluber (2-1, 4.24)
f/ Tigers 5 , Indians 1
WP: Justin Verlander (2-0, 3.08) / LP: Corey Kluber (2-2, 4.35)
SV: N/A

4/25/15 - Detroit Tigers (12-5) vs Cleveland Indians (6-9)
Anibal Sanchez (0-1, 7.88) vs. Danny Salazar (0-0, 3.27)
f/ Tigers 8 , Indians 9
WP: Bryan Price (1-0, 6.23) / LP: Anibal Sanchez (0-2, 9.87)
SV: Cody Allen (4, 1.42)

4/26/15 - Detroit Tigers (12-6) vs Cleveland Indians (7-9)
Shane Greene (1-2, 6.75) vs. Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 9.69)
f/ Tigers 10 , Indians 5
WP: Angel Nesbitt (4-0, 0.77) / LP: Bryan Price (1-1, 9.53)
SV: N/A
4/27/15 - Detroit Tigers (13-6) at Minnesota Twins (5-13)
Alfredo Simon (1-1, 5.74) vs. Ricky Nolasco (2-1, 1.50)
f/ Tigers 5 , Twins 2
WP: Angel Nesbitt (5-0, 0.71) / LP: Caleb Thielbar (0-3, 7.11)
SV: Tom Gorzelanny (1, 1.42)

4/28/15 - Detroit Tigers (14-6) at Minnesota Twins (5-14)
David Price (1-1, 0.96) vs. Tommy Milone (0-2, 6.11)
f/ Tigers 10 , Twins 5
WP: Joakim Soria (2-0, 0.64) / LP: Glen Perkins (0-2, 12.71)
SV: N/A

Detroit
Notable Performers


SP-David Price: 23.2IP, 18K's, 1-1, 2.66 ERA
SP-Justin Verlander: 26IP, 28K's, 2-0, 3.12 ERA
CL-Joakim Soria: 3SV's, 2-0, 0.64 ERA, 14K’s
RP-Angel Nesbitt: 5-0, 2SV’s, 0.71 ERA, 14K’s (AL Pitcher of the Month)


1B-Miguel Cabrera: .370/.458/.753, 8HR's, 21RBI's (AL Batter of the Month)
2B-Ian Kinsler: .279/.340/.477, 4HR’s, 18RBI's
RF-JD Martinez: .352/.422/.465, HR, 8RBI’s

The Farm
Notable Performers

SP-Kyle Lobstein: 36.1IP, 20K's, 3-0, 1.49 ERA (TOL)
SP-Drew VerHagen: 13IP, 12K’s, 1-1, 3.46 ERA (TOL)
CL-Jose Valdez: 4SV’s, 0-1, 2.84 ERA (TOL)
SP-Austin Kubitza: 18IP, 17K's, 1-0, 4.50 ERA (ERI)
CL-Melvin Mercedes: 6SV’s, 0-0, 0.96 ERA (ERI)
SP-Confesor Lara: 26.1IP, 19K’s, 1-0, 1.71 ERA (LAK)
RP-Guido Knudson: 2-1, 1.86 ERA, 8K’s (LAK)
SP-Jeff Thompson: 27.2IP, 27K’s, 2-0, 2.60 ERA (WMI)

OF-Tyler Collins: .317/.385/.683, 8HR’s, 19RBI's (TOL)
OF-Daniel Fields: .310/.362/.552, 4HR’s, 11RBI’s (TOL)
OF-Steven Moya: .184/.231./388, 3HR’s, 11RBI’s (TOL)
3B-Jefry Marte: .360/.449/.533, 2HR’s, 18RBI’s (ERI)
OF-Wynton Bernard: .300/.371/.487, 4HR’s, 13RBI’s (ERI)
1B-Dominic Ficociello: .380/.424/.646, 2HR’s, 12RBI's (LAK) (FSL Batter of the Month)
OF-Ben Verlander: .221/.253/.416, 4HR’s, 9RBI's (LAK)


Injuries
Tigers
Jose Iglesias is still out for another 5 weeks, however Dixon Machado has performed admirably in the role since getting the call, hitting .615 in 13AB’s, driving In 2.
Bruce Rondon is due back in a couple days but will likely be sent to the minors for rehab, as he hasn’t pitched in the majors since tearing his UCL in 2014


Toledo
No injuries to report.

Erie
Pitching prospect Austin Kubitza is out for 6-7 months, as he is undergoing radial nerve decompression surgery.

Lakeland
Outfielders Bobby Borchering and Derek Hill are both on the shelf. Bobby will be out for the season, as he suffers from post-concussion symptoms, whereas Hill is out for a few weeks with a strained hamstring.

West Michigan
Outfielder Austin Schotts is still out for a few more weeks, he will begin the season at West Michigan Whitecaps.

Thoughts on Starting Rotation
I am currently delighted with the bullpen. Thought to be the main problem for the Tigers during the offseason, they have performed very well, with Nesbitt spearheading it. However, the 3,4,5 guys in the rotation have not been great. Price and Verly have been dominant, however Sanchez, Greene and Simon not so much. Simon has been improving, his last outing a ND with 6.2 innings of 1 run ball, so im not as worried with him as I am with the other two. Sanchez has posted an ERA north of 9 through 4 starts, not good for the AL ERA king two years ago. He has quality stuff and should be able to turn it around next month, if not he will be demoted for a little game time in Toledo to rebuild his confidence. Greene has not been good, and with Lobstein tearing up triple a, I may be at the end of my wits with one of those two guys. Depending on their next respective starts, Lobstein could be in the rotation by next week.

Standings



League Leaders





Major Trades
· Washington and the Reds do business as the nats send over OF Matt Den Dekker in return for 2B Brandon Phillips and minor league P Nick Travieso.
· The Cubs have sent C David Ross to the Mariners for CL Fernando Rodney and minor league SS Greifer Andrade.
· 1B Wilin Rosario has been dealt by the Rockies to the Rays for P Nate Karns and minor league SS Emerson Jimenez.
· Headley’s heading west as the Yankees send 3B Chase Headley to the Giants in return for RHP’s Jean Machi and Keury Mella.