Detroit Tigers 2014 Season Thread

[CONN CHRIS]

They are starting Buck Farmer tonight. He threw the first three innings of the A game that I saw last August here in CT. Hopefully, he has improved a bunch, had an off night when I saw him, I was a terrible scout or all three.


Things are looking shaky in the Motor City unfortunately.

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Lowell Spinners (flop sox) - 2, Connecticut Tigers - 1

Pitching:

They were using a rigid pitch count which appeared to be 60 (or at least so for Beck)

Buck Farmer 5th rd selection out of GA Tech this year:
3.0 IP 1 hit, 2 K - Fastball topped out at 92 but he only exceeded 88 twice. Decent outing but most of the outs were sharply hit, his fastball (which he threw a lot) wasn't fooling anyone. If he wasn't on a pitch count, I think Lowell would have opened him up like a sardine can within a few innings. Young kid, so don't write him off but I was not impressed.

Ryan Beck 30th rd selection out of New Mexico State this year:
3.2 IP 2 hit, 1 run, 1 BB, 5 K - Fastball topped out at 91 but had a heavier fastball than Farmer with more movement and pretty good off speed stuff that he went to frequently. Had a lot of Spinners flinching. The run that he gave up should be hung around verlander's neck (will get to that later) - rough and raw kid but he may be something to watch.

Scott Sitz 28th rd selection out of Florida State this year:
2.1 IP 1 hit, 1 run, 1 BB, 2 K , took the loss - Not sure what to make of this kid. Squat, heavy kid that probably had the scouts writing 'bad body' in their reports unless Tony Gwynn and John Kruk have stopped them from doing that. Fastball never got above 88 and he throws a LOT of junk. A guy that starts out like that isn't going anywhere in most cases. He was fun to watch. Fooled people. The run wasn't all his fault. he walked a guy and with one out, the walked fellow stole second. Looked like he was dead but NIETHER the second baseman or the shortstop broke for the bag. They crossed up like that twice last night. The first time, the batter caught a smidgen of the balland they had to call the play back. So, man on second, Sitz gets his second K of the inning and then gives out a dying quail over the SS's head to bring in the game winner. Decent pitcher, likely not going anywhere.

Offense:

Dismal - they had seven hits and loaded the bases once to no avail but seemed pretty listless. Unable to get what they needed when they needed it. Lot of dying floaters and seeing eye singles. The only guy that hit with authority was Patrick Leyland (1B) who Homered to left and had a sharp ringing single to left for a two fer four night. He was a 10th round pick in 2010 and is on his way back down the minor league ladder so I assume that this was a better than normal outing for him.

Deffense:

Eh, 2B (Dominic Ficociello) and SS (Curt Powell) 12th and 21st round picks this year respectively, couldn't get their signals straight on stolen base attempts. Ficciello booted one off the heal of his glove and made a throwing error on a relay from RF but was pretty slick getting to the bag for the DP turn. Ficociello and 3B Curt Powell (21st rounder this year) didn't seem to have arms.

CF Austin Schotts (3rd rounder this year) got a great read/jump on two balls tailing toward RF that he caught (third PO for him was just a straight away affair). He lead off so I assume that he must have a little speed but I didn't get to see it as he went 0-3 with a walk and 2 Ks (one looking).

Ben Verlander (Justin's little brother) was a 14th round pick from Old Dominion this year. I shouldn't pass judgement on one outing but he has the look of kid that will wash out very quickly. At the plate, everything seemed to catch him off guard. He went 0-4 with a K, two weak ground outs to short and a pop up to first. In the field, oh my. No arm, misjudged two balls, one that fell about 3 steps in front of his straight away position for a single. He didn't move until the ball was by the second baseman; the other was a ball hit over his head that was catchable but he took one step in first and then had to retreat in vain giving up a run scoring double. His throw to the cutoff (2B) was a lollypop that made the 2B rush his throw to third - it went in the dirt and skittered away allowing the batter-baserunner to reach 3rd. Verlander either had a rough off-night or he just isn't going anywhere.

This year's 1st and 2nd round picks (pitchers Jonathon Crawford and Kevin Ziomek) are on this squad but I didn't see either.

In summary, a lot of young kids, most of whom we won't be seeing in the future. Great fun though!

[CONN CHRIS]

After two innings - I am the worst scout to ever hold a clipboard! Thank goodness.

[CONN CHRIS]

Randy has not logged on since May 13 which truly saddens me. I hope all is well with him.

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

After two innings - I am the worst scout to ever hold a clipboard! Thank goodness.

Well, it was fun for 8 outs anyway.

[David Watts]

Anyone see Nathans little hand gesture to the crowd after Wednesday nights game? I guess he was feeling a little frisky after finishing a non save situation game in which he was staked a 4 run cushion. What a guy. I guess he has now taken the Princess Fielder approach, in thinking it's only a game and life goes on.

[DamPenguin]

What a great performance by Scherzer today... if he goes at season's end (as expected) I'll miss him.

[outrider64]

I was at the game last night. Sitting in section 217 and when he came in I yelled out "Let the pigeon close the game" Referring to the pigeon on the field in the first inning. My friend yelled out "You hear that Nathan? That's Toledo calling"
Needless to say the Pirates fans behind us had a good chuckle.

[Tram2Whitaker]

Originally Posted by outrider64

I was at the game last night. Sitting in section 217 and when he came in I yelled out "Let the pigeon close the game" Referring to the pigeon on the field in the first inning. My friend yelled out "You hear that Nathan? That's Toledo calling"
Needless to say the Pirates fans behind us had a good chuckle.

Nah! The pigeon's left handed.

[David Watts]

The Detroit News is reporting that the Tigers are in hot pursuit of 27 year old Rusney Castillo. Castillo defected from Cuba last December. Rusney can play center field. The article says competition for Rusney's services will be steep with the Cubs, Mariners, Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees all in the mix. Castillo will probably get a long term deal in the range of 50 million dollars. The article goes on to say the Tigers are front runners due to the fact that their GM makes getting his name in the headlines his top priority. The article quotes one unidentified source as saying Dombrowski told him he would even consider trading Nick Castellanos and Robbie Ray to Cuba if that's what it takes to land Rusney. Now that he knows Buck Farmer is a can't miss prospect, Ray is expendable.

[David Watts]

I think we need Randy to come back and bring this team some good fortune. Ugh! I'm really having doubts that this team can even make the playoffs. Really hoping the Royals cool off a little and the Tigers can put together another streak of wins.

[TribeFanInNC]

Yeah, the AL second Wild Card looks like a complete crap shoot. So many teams playing for one spot. The games among KC, Detroit, and Cleveland will be REALLY important.

[Airdrop01]

Royal Pride baby!

[Airdrop01]

Billy Butler just scored from first on a double. Detroit, "do you mind if we dance with your dates?"

GIFSoup

[CONN CHRIS]

There needs to be a new stat to memorialize these situations where Nathan comes on in a save situation and manages to barely hang on after creating entirely too much drama.


That was ugly last night. At least he carries the torch well for Valverde and Jones.

[TribeFanInNC]

The ESPN Fantasy Baseball Podcast calls it a Dirty Fuentes, after former gas can Brian Fuentes. They even went on to define it (3 baserunners + 1 ER allowed while still picking up a save) and have a funny drop.

Feel free to call it a Dirty Nathan or Dirty Valverde

[DamPenguin]

Not too long ago I was thinking about Valverde also... seeing Nathan and Chamberlain constantly make a mess of things is just pathetic. My hope that they'll get their act together has dwindled to almost none and the offense is so sporadic I get happy when we reach 3 or 4 runs. Can you imagine how the players and especially the starting pitchers must feel to have that monkey on their back that the pen can't shut it down in a close game? Very gloomy outlook indeed.

[David Watts]

Anyone else getting a huge kick out seeing Porcello come into his own this season? Anyone else wondering if we would have already seen this Porcello emerge if we didn't have such a dreadful defensive infield over the last 2 seasons? I'm happy as hell for Rick.

[TribeFanInNC]

No, not really. Personally, I liked the 5 ERA version better. (lol!)

I watched a bit of the Tigers last night before the Tribe started. His changeup is definitely effective. Looks a little like Alex Cobb's split change that's works so well (they talked about that last night with Odirizzi too). Sure, TB isn't exactly the '27 Yankees, but a good change is fun to watch.

[CONN CHRIS]

Sure, I'm ready to grasp at straws and DD seems so inclined as well. Still no info on Hanrahan's health. I miss Randy - especially since he dug that sort of info up frequently.


Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers front-runners to add Cuban OF Rusney Castillo, according to sources - ESPN Boston

[cephasjames]

Originally Posted by David Watts

Anyone else getting a huge kick out seeing Porcello come into his own this season? Anyone else wondering if we would have already seen this Porcello emerge if we didn't have such a dreadful defensive infield over the last 2 seasons? I'm happy as hell for Rick.

It is very nice to see Ricky doing so well. He's had pretty high expectations to live up to for quite awhile. I think he's finally doing it.

It's amazing to think that he's only 25 and this is his sixth season. For a #5 starter he's a had pretty good career so far - no fewer than 10 wins in every season.