Brandon Inge

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #1 prospect in 2001
  Inge was pleased in 1998 when he found out the Tigers had drafted him in the second round. His reaction was mixed moments later when he received another call from the organization, to tell him he was going to catch as a pro. Inge had been a shortstop and closer at Virginia Commonwealth, and he hadn't caught since Little League. He had little problem making the move, however. He played well defensively from the time he put on the catcher's gear. He did struggle at the plate in his first two professional seasons, hitting just .230 and .244 with little power. His breakthrough came in the now-defunct California Fall League in 1999 after he changed his stroke. He got off to a fast start in 2000 for Jacksonville, but didn't finish the first half strong and batted .221 at Triple-A Toledo. Inge is fluid, quick and instinctive behind the plate. Not only does he have a strong and accurate arm, but his feet are also quick and he gets into position to throw swiftly. He has a quick release. He gets into a low crouch and presents the pitcher with an excellent target. Inge's hands are soft and he frames pitches well. He's exceptionally strong for his size and has power. A classic aluminum-bat pull hitter coming out of college, Inge changed his stroke to stay behind the ball and drive it to right field. Many of his 49 extra-base hits last year went up the right-center field gap. He still is capable of pulling offspeed pitches with power. He runs well for the position. Inge needs to make more consistent contact and grasp the strike zone better. The more experienced pitchers he faced in Triple-A just toyed with him. As a former pitcher, Inge is hesitant to get on pitchers much, saying he remembers what it was like on the mound when things aren't going well. His coaches and team officials would like him to be more aggressive in that area, however. Inge will start the 2001 season at Toledo. Ideally the Tigers would like to keep him there the entire season. That might have been easier to do if the team had not traded Brad Ausmus to the Astros for Mitch Meluskey in December. Meluskey isn't nearly as accomplished defensively as Ausmus and might be better suited as a DH.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #8 prospect in 1999
  Background: Inge was a second-team All-American as a shortstop/closer at Virginia Commonwealth, but the Tigers drafted him specifically as a catcher. He made six errors in 35 games at the position for short-season Jamestown. He also rapped 19 extra-base hits and slugged .418 in an impressive debut. Strengths: Inge has a strong, accurate arm, soft hands, good throwing actions and a solid body. That's why Detroit saw him as a potential catcher. He has taken to the position well. He's had little problem with his footwork and is a surprisingly good receiver given his inexperience. Inge can turn on the ball and hit it a long way. Weaknesses: Inge has a long swing with a lot of holes in it and strikes out too much. He also needs experience behind the plate to learn the mental aspects of calling a game. The Future: Tigers officials are very impressed with Inge. He'll start the 1999 season at West Michigan, but will pushed upward quickly.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #17 prospect in 2000
  An outstanding shortstop and reliever at Virginia Commonwealth, Inge immediately converted to catcher upon signing. The move behind the plate has worked out better than expected. Inge hit just .221 after his promotion from Double-A Jacksonville, but consider that he spent 1999 in low Class A. He’s a rare up-and-coming backstop who may be able to do more than catch and throw. He’s a good athlete, a potential Brad Ausmus with more power. "Obviously, he's going to struggle a little bit," said Ezell, a former catcher. "Here's a guy just in his second full year of catching. He's on-the-job learning, but he's getting better and better. Personally, I think he's going to hit enough to be a No. 1 catcher in the big leagues."
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  Ranked Southern League #17 prospect in 2000
  Inge didn't start catching until he signed as a second-round pick in 1998, not that it's apparent from the way he handles himself behind the plate. Roof called Inge the total catching package and said, "The only guy in baseball who can outthrow him is Pudge Rodriguez." Inge is much quicker and more athletic than most catchers. Though he has batted .242 in the minors, the Tigers aren't especially concerned. The 1999 California Fall League MVP has gap power and should hit better once he tightens his strike zone.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #67 prospect in 2001

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Inge didn't start catching until he signed as a second-round pick in 1998, not that it's apparent from the way he handles himself behind the plate. Roof called Inge the total catching package and said, "The only guy in baseball who can outthrow him is Pudge Rodriguez." Inge is much quicker and more athletic than most catchers. Though he has batted .242 in the minors, the Tigers aren't especially concerned. The 1999 California Fall League MVP has gap power and should hit better once he tightens his strike zone.
• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  An outstanding shortstop and reliever at Virginia Commonwealth, Inge immediately converted to catcher upon signing. The move behind the plate has worked out better than expected. Inge hit just .221 after his promotion from Double-A Jacksonville, but consider that he spent 1999 in low Class A. He’s a rare up-and-coming backstop who may be able to do more than catch and throw. He’s a good athlete, a potential Brad Ausmus with more power. "Obviously, he's going to struggle a little bit," said Ezell, a former catcher. "Here's a guy just in his second full year of catching. He's on-the-job learning, but he's getting better and better. Personally, I think he's going to hit enough to be a No. 1 catcher in the big leagues."