Detroit Tigers Top 10 Prospects Chat

Josh Norris: Hey all, here to chat about the Tigers for a little bit.

Grant (NYC): Did newly acquired Victor Alcantara get any list consideration?
Josh Norris: He did not, because he was not acquired before the list went out.

Paul (Gary, IN): I realize he's a reliever, but Joe Jimenez's omission from this list surprised me somewhat. Could you explain?
Josh Norris: There are many, many questions in the queue about this, so I will give a blanket answer here: The reports on Joe Jimenez’s stuff are not as glowing as his numbers. The Tigers would like him to continue to make progress on his slider and improve the command of his fastball in the zone. At this point, though the results aren’t the same as Ravenelle’s, the evaluations I got made me believe that Ravenelle’s ceiling is a bit higher than Jimenez’s. Thus, I put him above Jimenez on the list.

Jake (Detroit): What say you about A.J. Simcox and his chances to remain at short in the foreseeable future?
Josh Norris: He has a chance to remain at shortstop in the future, yes, though scouts see him in more of a utility role than as an everyday guy. One evaluator compared his skill set to that of Paul Janish.

Michael (New Paltz): Would you consider this system to be in the bottom five overall?
Josh Norris: Yes I would. It might be bottom three, in fact.

Ryan (Detroit): Where do you see Kyle Funkhouser realistically settling in? Back of the rotation starter? Swingman? Bullpen?
Josh Norris: The Tigers are very excited about having him in the mix. He was, after all, judged to have first-round talent just a year prior. He’s got four pitches and the body to remain a starter, which could lead him to ceiling of a No. 3 type of starter with a realistic role of a backend guy.

Frank (Indianapolis IN): How many of these guys are BA 100 worthy?
Josh Norris: I would guess Matt Manning might be the only one, but that process hasn’t even started yet.

Michael (Baltimore): Where did Azocar come into play? Seems like Hill with slightly less speed, but a better hitter and arm.
Josh Norris: Jose Azocar will be in the next couple of players and he was in consideration for the Top 10 in the early stages. He’s a toolsy player and does have center field type of ability but needs to iron out the hit tool for sure.

Stu (Los Angeles): Any Latin American prospects gaining attention?
Josh Norris: Wladimir Pinto is a name that’s come up a lot. He’s short righthander with upper-90s gas at times and two offspeed pitches that show at least average, but not on a consistent basis. He might be a reliever long-term, but he’s getting buzz.

Tim C. (Nashville, Tenn.): What's the latest on Kevin Ziomek? He seemed like a low-ceiling, high-floor No. 4-5 starter or lefty bullpen arm. But the Tigers have moved him slow and his shoulder is an issue. Is he still a prospect?
Josh Norris: There’s not much to update here since he pitched just 4 1/3 innings this year before being diagnosed with TOS. The Tigers anticipate he’ll be ready for spring training.

Michael Stern (Rochester NY): Are you hearing anything good about OF Jacob Robson? Is he considered a prospect at this point? Thanks for the chat!
Josh Norris: We consider him a prospect, and I anticipate he’ll be in the 30 this year. He’s got the pesky, leadoff type of skills to make him a prospect.

Mark (Detroit): Is Dominic Ficociello--the Tigers 29th rated prospect--now looking at a career as a utility infielder, or is there still hope he will start?
Josh Norris: Ficociello is a utility guy if anything. The Tigers moved him around the diamond this year at first, third and corner outfielder, but without a power spike he doesn’t profile in either of those areas.

Devin (Columbus): Will Matt Hall be in the top 30? What is your take on him?
Josh Norris: Matt Hall will probably be in the 30, yes. His FB is below-average but he can get chases with his curveball, which was one of the best in the NCAA when he was drafted. He needs to improve the command of his fastball and is working on a development of a changeup. He profiles as a reliever.

John Smythe (Canton): Would Tim Tebow have made the Tigers top ten?
Josh Norris: No. No he would not.

Roger (Los Angeles): Is JaCoby Jones ready to step in as the Tigers' center fielder next season? How is he likely to fare in the outfield?
Josh Norris: He has a wide-open path to center field in Detroit not that Cam Maybin has been moved. He’s got a fair chance to be an adequate outfielder with his speed, and he has the power-speed combination that is so elusive in baseball. He’s likely to be a below-average hitter with a tick above-average power.

Matt (Il): Will Stewart be a DH only at the MLB level?
Josh Norris: There are some scouts who see his defense as bad enough that, yes, he might be a DH-only player in the majors. It’s not a unanimous opinion, but it’s out there for sure.

Ron (Ohio): Hi Josh, chats are really nice. what do you think of Beau Burrows ? seems like a good prospect with upside . many thanks
Josh Norris: He is a good prospect with upside for sure. He, like so many others, is still working on fastball command, particularly on keeping it lower in the zone. He’s also working on sharpening all of his offspeed offerings and installing a changeup as well. He’s got upside, and the Tigers liked what they saw from him this year at West Michigan.

George Naspo (Newport, RI): What is the story on Mike Gerber? Has had 3 solid seaons. Last year started slow but ended up strong with 18 HR and 80 RBI plus a Gold Glove. Also did well in Arizona Fall League last year by hitting well and making All Star team. Will they move this kid along a bit faster now.
Josh Norris: They’re working on swing changes with him, and a big chunk of his early outburst at Lakeland came at home, at the cozy dimensions of Henley Field, where the team spent all season. His OPS on the road in High-A was .715, or a 219-point drop from his OPS at home. He’s got some interesting tools, but still needs to put it together more consistently.

Varun (Ann Arbor): If Kinsler is moved, and the Tigers don't get a second-baseman in return, who is the Tigers' best fit at 2B in the system? Could Dixon Machado slide over to 2B?
Josh Norris: Dixon Machado would indeed work there. He’s an excellent gloveman but there’s serious doubt on whether he’ll hit long-term. Even so, he would be an OK short-term plug who could play all around the infield.

Varun (Ann Arbor): Why put Steven Moya back into the top 10?
Josh Norris: Because he’s got the best power in the system and you really can’t ignore guys with that kind of thump. He might be a long-shot, but the power is hard to ignore.

Michael (Baltimore): What do you think of Sandy Baez? Is he a starter or reliever?
Josh Norris: Sandy Baez is an intriguing arm whose future is split between the pen or the rotation. He’s got the big time fastball and a split-changeup that comes and goes. He’s also working on maintaining the arm speed on his curveball so as not to give it away.

Karl of Delaware (Georgetown, Delaware): What are the chances that Jacobey Jones gets to play some infield for the Tigers?
Josh Norris: I can’t imagine Jones will play the infield unless it’s a dire scenario. They moved him to the outfield for a reason.

Brandon (Detroit): Seems like somewhat of a steep dropoff after the top 3, is that accurate?
Josh Norris: Yes. This isn’t a particularly great system by any stretch of the imagination.

Varun (Ann Arbor): Which of these guys (or other lower ranked prospects) possibly contributing in 2017 to the Tigers?
Josh Norris: Jacoby Jones should contribute for the Tigers in 2017, and I’m sure Steven Moya will be given another chance to unleash his massive power.

Josh Norris: That’s all for today, peeps. Thanks for the questions.