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This article was originally published at TwinsMVB.com.
The 2010 Detroit Tigers are an odd blend of veterans and rookies. Plenty of young players will get their chance in the spotlight this year. Here are some of the more notable rookies that the Twins will need to keep their eyes on this season:
Austin Jackson, CF, 23 years old
Jackson was the key part of the trade that sent Curtis Granderson to the New York Yankees this offseason. Although he hasn’t garnered any major-league experience yet, he should receive significant time in center field for the Tigers in 2010. He may even be their primary lead-off hitter.
Originally an 8th-round selection of the Yankees in the 2005 draft, Jackson began his career as an 18-year old in the GCL. He hit .304/.374/.405 in forty games. Jackson spent 2006 in the Sally league, where he hit .260/.340/.346 while striking out 151 times. He did steal 37 bases, but his lack of power and patience was concerning.
The next year, 2007, saw an improved walk rate and a .120-point jump in slugging percentage. Tallying 13 home runs across three levels, Jackson stole 33 bases and raised his on-base percentage to an impressive .370. He showed the promise of a lead-off hitter with some pop in his bat.
Jackson spent the entirety of 2008 in Double-A, where he regressed in just about every area. Spending last season in Triple-A, Jackson hit .300/.354/.405 with a horrible strikeout rate.
Although he isn’t an “elite” prospect, Jackson still provides excellent athleticism, above-average arm strength, and great defensive ability at a key position. His PECOTA projection for 2010 is .271/.332/.411 with 18 stolen bases and lots of strikeouts. Sort of like Carlos Gomez, except with the ability to make contact at an acceptable clip.
The Twins should be aware that a lot of their hits to the gap this season will be caught by Jackson, who was recruited by Georgia Tech as a point guard. For Minnesota pitchers, though, retiring Jackson should require little more than painting the corners and hoping Jackson’s trigger-happy swing fails to make contact.
Due to Jackson’s speed, though, if the ball is put in play, all bets are off.
Click here to read about four more Detroit rookies!
Scott Sizemore, 2B, 25 years old
Sizemore was drafted as a second baseman in the 5th round of the 2006 draft, and has steadily advanced through Detroit’s system. Coming out of Virginia Commonwealth University, Sizemore spend his first season in professional baseball in Low-A. He hit an impressive line of .327/.394/.435 in 70 games, and displayed a solid understanding of the strike zone.
Spending 2007 in the Midwest League, Sizemore hit .265/.376/.390 with 16 stolen bases and more walks than strikeouts. Sizemore was in the very pitcher-friendly Florida State League in 2008, and spent last year in both Double-A and Triple-A.
Throughout his minor-league career, Sizemore has accrued a line of .296/.383/.441 with a bunch of stolen bases and great strike-zone judgment. He is the leading candidate to replace Placido Polanco at second base this season, and will likely hit near the bottom of Detroit’s order.
Sizemore’s PECOTA projection for 2010 is .264/.345/.410. Better things have certainly emerged from the Tiger’s minor league system, but Sizemore is very polished and looks ready to begin a solid major-league career.
Daniel Schlereth, LHP, 23 years old
Part of the deal that sent Edwin Jackson to Arizona, Schlereth was drafted 26th overall in the 2008 draft, and dominated both the Pioneer and Midwest Leagues in his first season. This great relief pitching continued last season, where Schlereth pitched in both Double- and Triple-A, combining for an ERA of 0.98 through 27.2 innings.
Reaching the big leagues in 2009, Schlereth posted an excellent strikeout per nine innings number of 10.8, though he walked more than the Diamondbacks would have liked. His ERA of 5.89 in just over 18 innings left much to be desired, but there is little doubt that Schereth has the makings of a future All-Star closer.
According to Baseball America, Schlereth possesses a “93-96 mph fastball with riding life,” a “hard 82-84 mph curveball,” and “a changeup that dives and floats.” He will certainly be featured out of the Tiger’s bullpen in 2010, and could take over the 9th inning role very soon.
Alex Avila, C, 23 years old
Avila probably won’t receive significant playing time this season, as he will serve as Gerald Laird’s backup behind the plate. The young University of Alabama graduate has his sights set on the 2011 starting job, though, and he merits the Twins’ attention.
As a 21-year old in 2008, Avila hit .305/.383/.385 in 58 games in the Midwest League. Some semblance of power emerged last season, where Avila hit .264/.365/.450 with 12 home runs and a 52/77 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
His PECOTA projection for 2010 is .253/.339/.405 with 9 home runs, but I tend to think of this as very conservative. Avila should develop into a legitimate power threat with above-average defense from the catcher position.
Wilkin Ramirez, OF, 24 years old
Ramirez received some playing time in Detroit this past season — (hitting .364/.385/.818 in 15 games) — but likely won’t be on the Opening Day 25-man roster. He will spend another season in Triple-A Toledo working on his patience (or lack thereof), but could be a late-season call-up.
Originally signed by the Tigers out of the Dominican Republic in 2003, Ramirez played in 54 games in 2003 before going down with a shoulder injury that cost him all of 2004. He re-set in 2005 in West Michigan, where he hit .262/.317/.410 and a 35/143 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
That obscene strikeout total hasn’t left Ramirez in his six seasons of professional ball, and will certainly pose a problem at the major-league level. With these strikeouts, though, comes a very healthy power stroke. Ramirez has averaged just over 20 home runs per 162 games, and could supply the Tigers with a late-inning power threat this season.
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