Detroit Tigers Mid Year Review
Oct 12, 2020 19:28:08 GMT -5
AstrosGM_Shane, Rich - Former GM, and 3 more like this
Post by detroitcarl on Oct 12, 2020 19:28:08 GMT -5
As we hit the mid-season mark, Detroit finds itself in a totally unfamiliar position, alone atop the AL Central Division. While there have been several contributing factors towards the unexpected rise the in the division, one reason appears to have made the most significant contribution.
Management Paralysis.
By not doing much of anything, the Tigers seemed to have improved their position from the 2055 season by mostly not screwing things up.
Front Office Highlights
A completely new management team was in charge for 2055 with a lot of questions, mostly since the majority of the experience in running a pro sports operation was an Arena Football team and a wildly successful rodeo tour. In addition, the Tigers have been updating the prior analytics software and department (it has been "two more weeks" for the past three months on the software). The result was basically not much in terms of activity.
Which basically worked. The Tigers held off trading either SS Jontaro Inakagi or RF Dave Baker since it was reported they had no idea what to get in return. Both have had great first halves, with Baker in particular breaking out as he leads the team in HR's, average, and RBI's.
Other minor moves were the signing of 1b Ramon Sanchez who has hit for a solid .310, provided steady veteran leadership, and hit into an amazing amount of double plays, along with RP Jose Vargas whose fastball velocity is only exceeded by the exit velocity over the outfield fence.
Team Highlights
Jud Bishop's first half has fans wondering if the 27 year old third baseman has finally put it together, or he is just a first half phenom as he is on pace for a 5 WAR season.
SP's Bill Crowder, Felipe Pagan, and Yasutaki Sugiyama each had fine first 80 games with Ricardo Diaz and Al King fronting a somewhat shaky, but moderately effective bullpen. Crowder, coming off leading the AL in ERA in 2055 was rewarded with a new contract extension.
The lower third of the lineup remains a problem. The catchers have not hit all that well, although Pittman did smack 13 HRs. The DH spot has been poor with bargain bin Orlando Martin scuffling between injuries and trade acquisition Dan Peralta's struggles. CF Ivan Rosado main contribution is his glove
Farm Highlights
The Tigers have managed to get by with two rookies in the rotation. Rule V draftee Roberto Castillo has shown promise as he mixes good and bad outings. Detroit called up #1 pitching prospect Jeff Jenkins who has really struggled and is on the verge of possibly being sent back down to Toledo.
The farm system is notably bare of positional prospects with only AAA 3B Pete Powell remotely close to the big leagues. Powell will need to cut down on the 35% K rate to make the next jump.
A high degree of optimism exists for Detroit's first pick in the 2056 draft, CF Anthony Thomas.
Detroit's short term goal was to win 82+ games for the first time in decades. The organization remains optimistic that not everything in the 2056 first half is not a mirage.
Management Paralysis.
By not doing much of anything, the Tigers seemed to have improved their position from the 2055 season by mostly not screwing things up.
Front Office Highlights
A completely new management team was in charge for 2055 with a lot of questions, mostly since the majority of the experience in running a pro sports operation was an Arena Football team and a wildly successful rodeo tour. In addition, the Tigers have been updating the prior analytics software and department (it has been "two more weeks" for the past three months on the software). The result was basically not much in terms of activity.
Which basically worked. The Tigers held off trading either SS Jontaro Inakagi or RF Dave Baker since it was reported they had no idea what to get in return. Both have had great first halves, with Baker in particular breaking out as he leads the team in HR's, average, and RBI's.
Other minor moves were the signing of 1b Ramon Sanchez who has hit for a solid .310, provided steady veteran leadership, and hit into an amazing amount of double plays, along with RP Jose Vargas whose fastball velocity is only exceeded by the exit velocity over the outfield fence.
Team Highlights
Jud Bishop's first half has fans wondering if the 27 year old third baseman has finally put it together, or he is just a first half phenom as he is on pace for a 5 WAR season.
SP's Bill Crowder, Felipe Pagan, and Yasutaki Sugiyama each had fine first 80 games with Ricardo Diaz and Al King fronting a somewhat shaky, but moderately effective bullpen. Crowder, coming off leading the AL in ERA in 2055 was rewarded with a new contract extension.
The lower third of the lineup remains a problem. The catchers have not hit all that well, although Pittman did smack 13 HRs. The DH spot has been poor with bargain bin Orlando Martin scuffling between injuries and trade acquisition Dan Peralta's struggles. CF Ivan Rosado main contribution is his glove
Farm Highlights
The Tigers have managed to get by with two rookies in the rotation. Rule V draftee Roberto Castillo has shown promise as he mixes good and bad outings. Detroit called up #1 pitching prospect Jeff Jenkins who has really struggled and is on the verge of possibly being sent back down to Toledo.
The farm system is notably bare of positional prospects with only AAA 3B Pete Powell remotely close to the big leagues. Powell will need to cut down on the 35% K rate to make the next jump.
A high degree of optimism exists for Detroit's first pick in the 2056 draft, CF Anthony Thomas.
Detroit's short term goal was to win 82+ games for the first time in decades. The organization remains optimistic that not everything in the 2056 first half is not a mirage.