Casper Wells

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #19 prospect in 2011
  Wells was one of just two minor leaguers to hit 25 homers and steal 25 bases in 2008, but he missed half of the following season when he broke the hamate bone in his left hand in April. Healthy again in 2010, he made his major league debut in May and played well when he got regular time in September. Scouts still wonder about his long-term ability with the bat, because there are a lot of moving parts to Wells' swing. He has some raw power, but he struggles to hit quality fastballs, especially up in the zone, and has trouble recognizing breaking balls. He may never make enough consistent contact or hit for a high average. Wells has solid speed but has succeeded in just 15 of 32 basestealing attempts since his breakout 2008 season. He's a respectable center fielder who fits best in right field. He has the best outfield arm in the system, with above-average strength and accuracy. Wells' holes at the plate will limit him to being a role player in the big leagues, but he could be useful with his power, speed and ability to play all three outfield spots.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #16 prospect in 2010
  A former 14th-round pick, Wells didn't emerge as a prospect until 2008, his fourth pro season. He made the Midwest League all-star and Arizona Fall League all-prospect teams, and he joined the Mariners' Greg Halman as the only minor leaguers to reach 25 homers and 25 steals. Wells' hope for a strong encore was dashed when he broke the hamate bone in his left hand in the first week of the 2009 season, had surgery and didn't return until June 9. Hamate injuries can sap power, but Wells homered in his first game back and ended the season with 15 longballs. However, he also struck out in 27 percent of his plate appearances because his swing gets long and he doesn't have much of a two-strike approach. He also didn't show the same prowess on the basepaths that he did the year before. Wells is an above-average runner and sound defender with a cannon arm. He showed a low-90s fastball on the mound back in his college days at Towson. He'll try to recapture his 2008 form in Triple-A this season. Even he can't cut back on his strikeouts, he still has enough tools to play in the majors as a platoon or fourth outfielder.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #13 prospect in 2009
  The Colonial Athletic Association player of the year in 2005, when the Tigers drafted him in the 14th round, Wells spent nearly all of his first three pro seasons playing for Rookie-level or short-season affiliates. But he blossomed into a legitimate prospect last year, thanks to his above-average tools and blue-collar work ethic. He and Mariners outfielder Greg Halman were the only players to amass at least 25 homers and steals in the minors, and Detroit rewarded Wells with a spot on its 40-man roster in November. If he's able to shorten his swing in two-strike situations, he could be a five-tool player. Wells has tremendous raw power, which he showed off in the regular season and in the Arizona Fall League afterward. He has a strong, stocky build and deceptively good speed. As a pitcher at Towson, he displayed a low-90s fastball, and he has a well above-average throwing arm for an outfielder. Wells has very good outfield instincts and can play all three positions well. He also played some first base in the AFL, which should expand his opportunities to reach the majors. Wells crushes lefthanded pitching, which should enable him to reach the majors as a platoon outfielder at the very least. If he can find a way to put the ball in play against the toughest righthanders, the Tigers may have an everyday player on their hands. He's ready for a move to Triple-A.