Brent Dlugach

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #20 prospect in 2008
  Dlugach impressed some of the Tigers' top officials--including manager Jim Leyland--with his smooth, confident play at shortstop last spring. He also acquitted himself well at the plate, with a .316 average during his first big league camp. He got off to a strong start in Double-A, hitting .304 in his first 20 games, and appeared on his way to a breakthrough season. On May 2, however, he jarred his shoulder while diving for a ball. He attempted to play in two games after that, but the pain persisted. He had rotator-cuff surgery in August, and Detroit doesn't expect him to be quite ready when the 2008 season begins. Dlugach's glove looked big league-ready last spring, and he showed above-average arm strength before the injury. There were some questions about his bat before the injury, and the missed time certainly won't help his development as a hitter. He has good bat speed but doesn't project to hit for much power. His defensive ability could allow him to play every day on a team with good production at other key positions. His 2008 role hinges on his health, but with Edgar Renteria's arrival, Dlugach has time to recooperate after his injury.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #28 prospect in 2006
  Dlugach is best summed up as atypical. While he's tall and lanky, he's often described as a smooth-fielding shortstop. Though he has fringy speed and range, has a knack for being in the right place, getting good hops and making plays. He soaked up the experience of his coach at Memphis, former big league shortstop Dave Anderson, who managed at the Triple- A level in the Tigers system as recently as 2000. Dlugach's best assets defensively are his extreme athleticism and exceptional hands. He also has a strong arm and is adept at making accurate throws from different arm angles. Offensively, Dlugach has some potential but his bat probably will never equal his glove. His long frame lends itself to a long swing, and while he has some strength and power, he's not likely to hit for a consistent average. If he makes enough contact to bat .250-.260, he could contribute 10-15 homers. His best-case profile is to become a Kevin Elster. Ticketed for high Class A, Dlugach will move as fast as his bat dictates.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #30 prospect in 2005
  Dlugach might be 6-foot-5 and have committed 18 errors in his first 47 games as a pro, but there's no position change in his future. Though he's lanky, he's very fluid in the field, throws well and has surprisingly good footwork considering his size. He's a pure shortstop, which works in his favor because he doesn't have enough bat to play regularly at third base. Dlugach's offense remains an issue, as he never reached .300 in three seasons at Memphis and batted just .213 in his debut. He has little power, doesn't recognize pitches well and showed little discipline during the summer. He's also a below-average runner for a middle infielder. Dlugach is headed for West Michigan, where Fifth Third Ballpark favors pitchers. He'll need to make significant offensive strides to climb the ladder to the majors. His father Mike fell just short, topping out in Triple-A as a catcher in the White Sox system.