Ryan Strieby

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #14 prospect in 2011
  Since breaking Lakeland's franchise record with 29 homers in 2008, Strieby has struggled to stay healthy. He broke the hamate bone in his left wrist that August and has spent five different stints on the disabled list with related problems, playing a total of just 162 games the last two seasons. Both years, the Tigers had to nix plans to send Strieby to the Arizona Fall League. When he's healthy, Strieby has above-average power. The hulking slugger projects as an average hitter, with the ability to stay inside the ball well and good bat speed that allows him to catch up to quality fastballs. He's still working on pitch identification, which isn't surprising considering all the time he's missed. He also has a tendency to get out on his front foot too soon and he's susceptible to chasing pitches up in the strike zone. Because the Tigers have Miguel Cabrera at first base, they had Strieby play mostly in left field last season. While he showed improvement compared to 2009, he still wasn't pretty as an outfielder. He's a well below-average runner with average arm strength. Health and defensive limitations likely will make Strieby more of an impact bat off the bench rather than an everyday contributor. He still needs more Triple-A at-bats before he's ready for the majors.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #11 prospect in 2010
  Strieby started his college career at Edmonds (Wash.) CC before transferring to Kentucky, where he was the Southeastern Conference player of the year in 2006. He broke Lakeland's franchise home run record with 29 in 2008, and he was on pace to break the Florida State League mark before a broken hamate bone in his left hand shut him down. He hasn't been able to show off his above-average power as much as he'd like since, as the injury continued to bother him last year. He missed three weeks to have a second surgery, nixing a trip to the Arizona Fall League. A sturdy 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Strieby stands out with his power. Double-A Erie's Jerry Uht Park measures just 312 feet down the left-field line, while players routinely bounce balls off the hockey arena just beyond the wall, Strieby hits balls over the building. He has the bat speed to turn around major league fastballs. For a big man, he stays inside the ball well and can hit to all fields, but there are holes in his swing and he's an average hitter at best, projecting to hit around .250 in the major leagues. With Miguel Cabrera at first base in Detroit, Strieby has worked in left field, but scouts don't see that as a viable option because he has below-average athleticism and speed. His best shot at regular playing time with the Tigers is probably as a DH. Added to the 40-man roster in the offseason, he's ready for Triple-A.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #12 prospect in 2009
  In a span of three years, Strieby has leaped from Edmonds (Wash.) CC to status as one of the top position players in the Detroit system. The 2006 Southeastern Conference player of the year in his lone season at Kentucky, he blossomed at high Class A in 2008. He led the pitcher-friendly Florida State League with 29 homers and 94 RBIs despite missing the final 19 games because of a broken hamate bone in his left hand. The Tigers have been impressed with Strieby's ability to absorb information, and his breakthrough year illustrated why. He made some in-season adjustments to his hitting approach, including a more open stance that improved his pitch recognition. He also learned how to drive with his legs and leverage the ball. The result was a 19-homer barrage in 39 games after July 1. Strieby has a tall frame and strong build, with as much raw power to all fields as any player in the system. His swing is more fluid than that of most power hitters, though he still struggles with some breaking pitches. His value lies mostly in his bat, as he's just an adequate defender at first base and a below-average runner. Strieby should be healthy in time to participate in spring training, though hamate injuries have been known to sap a hitter's power for a while. He'll open the season in Double-A.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #28 prospect in 2008
  Strieby didn't sign with the Dodgers when they drafted him in the 29th round out of Edmonds (Wash.) CC in 2004, and a year later he transferred to Kentucky. It turned into a wise move, as he was the Southeastern Conference player of the year in 2006, leading Kentucky to a surprise regular season title before the Tigers made him a fourth-round pick. He has continued his winning ways as a pro and was one of the most consistent players on a West Michigan team that won the 2007 Midwest League championship. Strieby has a polished, sound approach that enables him to work the count and take walks. He's rarely fooled by breaking pitches, a rare trait among power hitters in the low minors, and his actions are fluid for a player his size. He stays on the ball very well, but at 6-foot-5, his lengthy swing probably will prevent him from hitting for a high average. Strieby has plus raw power and hit 16 home runs last year in a pitcher-friendly park. He grew accustomed to swinging with a wood bat during his junior college career, which seems to have helped his adjustment to pro ball. He has good baseball instincts but is a below-average runner. He'll likely continue moving one level at a time and should begin this season in high Class A Lakeland.