Detroit News "Minor League Reports"

Subject: Detroit News "Minor League Reports" Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:37 am

03/12/2008 8:47 PM ET
Minor League Report: Rick Porcello
Right-hander will start season at high Class A Lakeland
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Rick Porcello headed to Minor League camp with the first set of cuts as expected on Wednesday. But he made sure his last impression was a good one.

It wasn't simply the two perfect innings he threw in Tuesday's split-squad game against the Indians or the arsenal he displayed in his third outing of the spring. It was also the way he carried himself.

"The best thing I saw about Rick Porcello all spring ... Yesterday he threw a curveball on the screen back to the backstop, way up over everybody's head," manager Jim Leyland said on Wednesday. "The next pitch, he acted like nothing happened at all. He settled right back in, never even wavered, never showed any emotion, nothing. He just got the ball back, threw a strike the next pitch. That impressed me more than anything I saw."

Leyland gave Porcello the same type of instruction that he gives most players when they're sent back to the Minors. He told the 19-year-old to go down, get his work in and prepare himself. Mentally, however, his poise provides a building block for the road ahead.

Porcello said earlier this spring that he was prepared for a long route to the big leagues, but he has already avoided one step along his way. When the Tigers sent him out Wednesday morning, they optioned him to high Class A Lakeland rather than low Class A West Michigan.

The reasons, Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombowski explained, were twofold.

"I think first and foremost is the weather," Dombrowski said. "Just the idea that he can go out there and pitch comfortably every five days early in the year where you have more uncertainties in that regard in the Midwest. We've done the same thing with [other] guys not going to Double-A [Erie] at times. We've kept them here.

"And the other thing would be that when you come down to it, everybody thought he was capable of pitching at [that] level. So really the combination is what led us to the decision."

The Tigers have taken a pitcher with their top pick in four of the last five First-Year Player Drafts. The three previous pitchers -- Andrew Miller, Justin Verlander and Kyle Sleeth -- all began their first full professional seasons in Lakeland as well. The only difference is that they were college pitchers.

Porcello has made club officials believe he can handle the jump, not just from his pitching, but from his persona.

"Presence, concentration, confidence, that's a big part of playing in the big leagues," Leyland said. "Everybody up here has got ability."

McBride optioned: Also optioned out with the first round of cuts was left-hander Macay McBride, who was sent to Triple-A Toledo to be part of the Mud Hens' starting rotation. It'll be an adjustment for the 25-year-old, who has not spent a full season as a starter since 2003 in high Class A ball. He made five starts in the rotation at Triple-A Richmond to open last season before he was moved into the bullpen.

"His first time was very good as a starter," Leyland said. "I think it enabled him to use all his pitches. When you're coming out of the bullpen as a left-handed relief specialist, you're usually basically limited to two pitches. We just think this is something we need to try. We think it gives him his best opportunity. It doesn't mean he couldn't at some point come back as a reliever, but he's a young left-handed pitcher, and left-handers usually take a little longer. We think he's got a lot of potential."

Rapada recovering: Fellow left-hander Clay Rapada threw a full bullpen session on Wednesday, mixing in fastballs, changeups and breaking balls.

"And I was able to walk away with no pain," he said, clearly upbeat.

Rapada has yet to pitch in a game since experiencing tendinitis in his shoulder early in camp, but that could change next week. If he feels fine on Thursday, the next step would likely be a session of batting practice on Saturday.

Tata updated: Jordan Tata's visit with a hand specialist on Monday confirmed the club's initial diagnosis of a fractured metacarpal at the base of his right pinky finger, suffered when he punched a door following his last outing.

The timetable, Tata said, suggests he could be cleared for light throwing in three weeks, with another two weeks before he throws off a mound. One factor in his favor is that with a removable cast, he can work out his shoulder and keep some strength in his arm.

Tata also had his shoulder checked out to see if there was any injury to blame for his control problems this spring. An examination by Dr. Stephen Lemos showed no damage, giving Tata some peace of mind.

Class of '07: Danny Worth, Detroit's second-round pick in last summer's First-Year Player Draft, had a two-run single in the Tigers' 5-4 loss to the Braves last Thursday. He finished the spring 2-for-10 with a walk and a strikeout before being assigned to Minor League camp on Wednesday. ... Cale Iorg, Detroit's sixth-round selection, went 1-for-3 as a reserve in Tuesday's extra-inning win over the Indians.

What they're saying: "A lot of times, big-time power and strikeouts go hand-in-hand. But I do think it's a matter of being able to make some adjustments, give in a little bit at certain times. I think that's a big factor for him. He's got big-time power." -- Leyland, on first baseman Jeff Larish, who was assigned to Minor League camp Wednesday

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Subject: Minor League Report: 3/19/08 Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:30 am

03/19/2008 9:05 PM ET
Minor League Report: Virgil Vasquez
Keeping the ball down is key to pitcher's success on mound
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Virgil Vasquez's second Spring Training with the Detroit Tigers ended on Tuesday with a much different impression than the first.

When he was first invited to Major League camp last year, he was trying to open eyes in the organization, to prove he deserved a chance to pitch in the big leagues. He got that chance with three spot starts.

He didn't have to prove himself this time. Instead, he had to prove he could learn from pitching in the big leagues last year.

"I felt like I had to show them that I made an adjustment, that I can make adjustments," Vasquez said. "I made the adjustments with the locations on my pitches."

The adjustment was the way in which he kept the ball low -- down below the knees instead of above them. It wasn't that he couldn't do it, he said, but that he rarely ever had to when he was coming up through the Minor Leagues.

"The down [pitches] are down," he said. "My offspeed [pitch] is starting in the strike zone and coming out."

To succeed in the Majors, Tigers coaches stressed to him, he's going to have to do it. As he prepares to rejoin the rotation at Triple-A Toledo, the key for him will be to do it consistently.

"I saw a lot of improvement," manager Jim Leyland said, "and I saw some days when he went back to keeping the ball up. The other day in Port St. Lucie, they told me he was tremendous."

That was last Sunday's split-squad game against the Mets, when Vasquez pitched 3 2/3 innings of relief with one run allowed on three hits.

"He got the ball down," Leyland continued, "which is what he needs to do on a more consistent basis. He had a couple outings where he didn't get the ball down. So it's just a matter of him refining a couple pitches as well as getting the ball down. Could be a big league pitcher."

The message Leyland left Vasquez when he was optioned out was much the same as what Leyland tells most guys when he has to break the news.

"He just said go to Toledo, keep doing the things you need to do more consistently, and I'm not promising anything, but I'll call up the best pitcher," Vasquez said. "That's how he is, and I like that about him. I like that he's not giving you anything. You have to earn it."

Moving out: Vasquez was one of nine players sent to Minor League camp on Tuesday, as the Tigers began whittling down close to their set roster. All of their younger prospects are now out of big league camp, though some will continue to get some playing opportunities on occasion when the Tigers call over extra players for depth in the remaining Spring Training games.

Sizemore impresses: For someone who has yet to play a game above Class A, middle infielder Scott Sizemore held his own during his time in camp. Invited to camp for infield depth behind Placido Polanco, Edgar Renteria and Ramon Santiago, Sizemore went 7-for-25 with a double, home run and two RBIs in 16 games. He also had eight strikeouts.

"I think he's going to be a hard-nosed, tough player," Leyland said of the fifth-round pick in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. "I told him I'd like to see him do some footwork with one of the strength and conditioning guys, pick up his feet a little bit. You watch as a manager. It doesn't mean you're always right, but I tell them what I see. I like him a lot. He's going to be a hard-nosed player."

On the mend: The news on Michael Hollimon was good on Tuesday, a day after the infield prospect dislocated his shoulder on a diving attempt at third base. The injury wasn't as bad as it apparently looked on TV, and an MRI exam showed no structural damage.

Hollimon won't need any surgery, and he shouldn't miss much playing time. The same optimism holds for outfielder Wilkin Ramirez, who suffered the same type of injury a week earlier. The only difference was that Ramirez's shoulder popped back into place on its own, whereas the Tigers athletic training staff had to put Hollimon's shoulder back in.

First-round picks: Also among those sent back to the Minors was Chris Lambert, the player the Tigers received from St. Louis in last summer's Mike Maroth trade. He finished a strong camp, his first as a Tiger, by tossing 7 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run. The former Cardinals first-round selection allowed just four hits with two walks and two strikeouts while displaying some velocity.

"He certainly made a good impression on everybody. He's a pitcher," Leyland said. "He knows how to pitch, it looked like to us. Not overpowering, but he's got a good feel for pitching."

What they're saying: "I don't guarantee anybody [a spot] to make it easy. I don't do that. I tell them it's simple. When I call down there, whoever they tell me is the best candidate, that's who we take." -- Leyland, on his philosophy on callups

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Subject: Re: Detroit News "Minor League Reports" Wed May 21, 2008 4:33 am

Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Minor league report
Tigers' Ramirez has numbers and, finally, health
Lynn Henning / The Detroit News

As much as the Tigers can look at Wilkin Ramirez at Double-A Erie and light up at his steadily impressive numbers, they like something even more about Ramirez.

So far, a 22-year-old left fielder who has had the team lead in injuries during too many seasons in the Tigers farm system, has been healthy.

His bat would suggest as much through 40 games: .309 average, nine homers, 25 RBIs, 11 doubles and three triples.

Ramirez, signed at age 17 out of the Dominican Republic, has the kind of speed and power that had Tigers manager Jim Leyland raving during camp.

Of course, he dislocated his shoulder during one Grapefruit League game and canceled any further inspection by a manager who loves talent.

Ramirez, though, healed quickly and has been on a consistent track for manager Tom Brookens. Double-A baseball is considered the continental divide in determining a player's ability to play in the big leagues. Succeed at Double A, and the big leagues are within reach.

The Tigers would be pleased to throw a corner outfield spot Ramirez's way -- if he keeps up the good work, and, more important, if he stays healthy.

"That's the key," said Glenn Ezell, Tigers director of player development, who Monday was on his way to Erie to check out a host of SeaWolves prospects, including starting pitcher Luis Marte.

"We've got real good thoughts about this kid. He's not very old yet, but he's got to stay healthy."

Ramirez, during past seasons, has been leveled by everything from shoulder surgery to a bad shin contusion.

His 2008 start has been a different story. He has been leading the Eastern League in extra-base hits much of the season, in part because roving hitting instructor Toby Harrah has convinced Ramirez (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) to get out of his squat.

"Toby has been trying for years to get him to stand taller in there, and he's finally bought into it," Ezell said. "He's swinging the bat good. Boy, he has nice speed and wonderful power."

Ramirez has been playing left field and batting cleanup for Erie, which Sunday ended a 12-game losing streak.

Who's hot ...

• Eddie Bonine, RHP, Triple-A Toledo: Bonine's numbers are so flashy, you wonder why the Tigers don't have him in their rotation. Then again, a team that isn't quite sure what it can do with Armando Galarraga won't be calling up Bonine, who turns 27 next month, and who is more of a Chad Durbin-type pitcher. Bonine is 8-0 with a 3.09 ERA.

• Chris Lambert, RHP, Toledo: He was a first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2004, the year the Tigers selected Justin Verlander. The Tigers got him from the Cardinals in last year's Mike Maroth trade. At 25, he has age on his side, as well as some nice numbers with the Mud Hens: 5-1, 2.31 ERA, 46 2/3 innings, 39 hits, 28 strikeouts, 18 walks.

• Luis Marte, RHP, Double-A Erie: Marte had a nifty debut last week for the SeaWolves after he had been promoted from Class A Lakeland. The 21-year-old right-hander allowed four hits and one run over six innings, with three strikeouts and three walks. Serious students of the farm should follow Marte intently.

• Preston Larrison, RHP, Toledo: Larrison's sinker ball has been behaving nicely. He has pitched in 15 games for the Mud Hens, all in relief, and has a 2-1 record and 2.41 ERA. Larrison has allowed only 14 hits in 18 2/3 innings.

• Jeff Larish, 1B, Toledo: More and more, it appears Larish is going to help some team with his left-handed power. Miguel Cabrera has him blocked in Detroit. But check these numbers: .293 average, 14 homers, 38 RBIs in 45 games. With a .389 on-base percentage and .622 slugging percentage, Larish has a 1.011 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage).

• Mike Hessman, 3B, Toledo: You wonder: What if Hessman and Larish were at Detroit? Hessman leads the International League with 18 homers and is hitting .292.on-base percentage is .374 His while his slugging percentage is .798 for a 1.092 OPS.

• Jonah Nickerson, RHP, Class A Lakeland: He had a no-hitter going into the eighth inning of Sunday's game against Palm Beach in a 4-0 victory. It was the second time this season Nickerson has had a no-hitter into the eighth. He retired the first 21 batters in a game April 26. Nickerson, a seventh-round pick from 2006, when he was named Most Outstanding Player in the College World Series, is 3-1 in his last five starts with a 3.15 ERA after starting with a 7.64 ERA in his first seven starts.

... who's not

• Timo Perez and Clete Thomas, OFs, Toledo: Perez is hitting .221, Thomas .204. After his brilliant audition with the Tigers, Thomas has yet to get it going with the Mud Hens.

• Kody Kirkland, 3B, Erie: The one-time solid prospect has had his troubles: .200 average with two home runs in 31 games.

• Francis Beltran, RHP, Toledo: Not much of a May for Beltran, who had a cameo appearance with the Tigers last month. He is 1-2 in 10 games, all in relief, and has a 9.90 ERA.

You can reach Lynn Henning at (313) 222-2472 or lynn.henning@detnews.com.

Subject: Re: Detroit News "Minor League Reports" Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:15 am

Monday, June 30, 2008
Tigers' Willis: Two innings, three walks for Lakeland
The Detroit News

Dontrelle Willis pitched out of two jams in two innings of work Sunday night for the Lakeland Flying Tigers in their 3-2 home win over the Daytona Cubs in 20 innings.

Willis pitched the seventh and eighth and had control problems. In the seventh, a single and two walks loaded the bases, but consecutive fielder's choices allowed Willis to escape with just one run crossing the plate, according to a report in the Lakeland Ledger. Willis allowed another walk in the eighth but did not allow a run.

"I felt very good for not having thrown in a game in a couple of weeks," Willis told the Lakeland Ledger. "It took me a few pitches to get my stride back but I felt I had command of all my pitches once I did."

Lakeland is a Class A team in the Florida State League.

Subject: Re: Detroit News "Minor League Reports" Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:19 am