Sky’s The Limit For Matt Manning

The Tigers delayed the start of the 2017 season for 19-year-old righthander Matt Manning. They likely will continue to preach patience with Manning after selecting the hard-thrower ninth overall last year despite the fact he spent more time on the hardwood than on the mound.

Manning was a touted high school basketball player who had a scholarship waiting for him at Loyola Marymount. He didn’t make the conversion from outfielder to pitcher until his sophomore year at Sacramento’s Sheldon High.

“Obviously, the physical attributes jump out at you initially,” vice president of player development Dave Littlefield said. “He’s 6-foot-6 or so. He’s got a really good arm. Good athlete. He can really spin a breaking ball. He’s got some feel for a change . . . He’s certainly got the makings of a high-end starter that is so hard to find.”

Manning spent the early portion of 2017 in extended spring training learning a lot about pitching as well as other important traits, like holding runners and fielding his position, before he headed to short-season Connecticut in June.

He quickly racked up impressive numbers. Through nine starts, Manning went 2-2, 1.89 with 36 strikeouts in 33.1 innings. In the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League last year he struck out 46 in 29.1 innings.

Manning throws a fastball that sits in the mid-90s in addition to a curveball and changeup.

“He’s got a plus fastball with, I’d say, both riding and sinking life,” Littlefield said. “It’s got some late explosion to it. He’s got a good downhill plane, so there’s some deception . . . He’s a great-looking, young, athletic righthanded pitcher with a lot of projection.”

TIGER TALES

• The acquisitions of Jeimer Candelario and Dawel Lugo at the trade deadline could make for an eventual logjam at third base, but either Candelario or Nicholas Castellanos could eventually end up at first base. Victor Martinez’s contract ends after the 2018 season, which would free up the DH spot for Miguel Cabrera.

• The Tigers will get a long look at backup catcher John Hicks down the stretch following the trade of Alex Avila to the Cubs. Hicks had appeared in 22 big league games in 2017 prior to the trade deadline but had started just four of those games behind the plate.