Leyland keeping tabs on Minors

Subject: Leyland keeping tabs on Minors Sun May 25, 2008 11:18 am

Leyland keeping tabs on Minors
Tigers manager says farm system has plenty of talent
By Scott McNeish / MLB.com

DETROIT -- Manager Jim Leyland likes to know what's happening down on the farm. He pays close attention the Tigers' Minor League affiliates and prospects making a name for themselves.

Many pundits said the Tigers traded too much talent last offseason when they made moves to acquire first baseman Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Dontrelle Willis from Florida, as well as shortstop Edgar Renteria from Atlanta. The cupboard is bare, they said.

But Leyland disagrees.

He keeps an eye on the farm system and said that the cupboard is far from empty.

"I watch it very closely," Leyland said. "We got a lot of talent down there."

Which has become apparent, judging by the players called up to Detroit during this season, namely Clete Thomas, Matty Joyce, Armando Galarraga and Clay Repada.

Thomas, who is back at Toledo, batted .295 in his 18-game stint earlier this season. Joyce has been a pleasant surprise, hitting five home runs in 15 games and making several spectacular catches in the outfield. Galarraga has pitched well enough to keep a spot in the rotation despite Willis being back from the disabled list, and Rapada, who is on the DL with left biceps tendinitis, has excelled as a southpaw reliever.

However, as Leyland stated, there's plenty of talent still in the Minors.

Most notably at Triple-A Toledo, which leads the International League West Division by five games. The Mud Hens have experienced a power surge this season. They lead the International League with 88 home runs -- 34 more than the next best team. Last year's International League MVP, Mike Hessman, leads the league with 19 home runs, Jeff Larish is third with 15 and Michael Hollimon is tied for fourth with 12.

Down at Double-A Erie, outfielder Wilkin Ramirez has shined. He is hitting .313 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs and leads the Eastern League with 25 extra-base hits and is fourth with 14 stolen bases.

Class A Lakeland shortstop Cale Iorg has hit safely in eight of his past 10 games, batting .341 in the process.

"The talent is there, especially with the position players," Leyland said.

The pitching isn't bad, either.

Toledo right-hander Eddie Bonine leads the International League in wins and has a 8-0 record. Their Class A affiliates have two emerging stars in West Michigan's right-hander Alfredo Figaro (6-1, 1.09 ERA) and Lakeland's right-hander Jonah Nickerson (3-1, 2.65 ERA in May).

"There's a lot to work with," Leyland said. "Somebody did a good job."
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bow

Subject: Re: Leyland keeping tabs on Minors Sun May 25, 2008 12:28 pm

Hard to believe this team is due for another turnover. Mid 30s is old baseball-wise, I guess.
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There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Leyland keeping tabs on Minors Sun May 25, 2008 2:06 pm

Well, it makes me mad to have such star homerun hitters sitting in Toledo, in first place, no less! And our parent team is in last with players that are not consistant! The big money players need to remember we con get rid of them, just like J. Jones, if they don't produce. If the need the help of Leon Durham (Hitting Coach), then send em down for a week and let him straighten them out. Tramm was known to do this to help some of his struggling batters!

Many people have wanted him to be the Tigers hitting coach!

Subject: Re: Leyland keeping tabs on Minors Sun May 25, 2008 2:21 pm

It's true. I think the coaches somehow want to keep the memory of 2006, in as many of that team's members still on the 2008 team, alive as much as possible.
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There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Leyland keeping tabs on Minors Sun May 25, 2008 2:40 pm

If you look ar the teams that are the break out teams this year, we keep seeing the same thing, the new stars are speed demons from their farm systems. Sometimes we have to start letting come up, instead of "buying" old superstars. They are good for 3 or 4 years, them we struggle at the thought of them going. We now have our newest good producers, Granderson, Rabutn, Thames, and most recently Clete Thomas, Matt Joyce, Armando Galarraga and Clay Repada, all from down on the farm.

We also well probably lose Hessman after this year because we did not promote his talents. Maybe he stumbled in the past, but that does not mean he will do it again.

If Los does not get it together, Hess needs to be able to give it another try.

Subject: Re: Leyland keeping tabs on Minors Sun May 25, 2008 2:42 pm

And to the bit about Clete not doing as well when he went back... Durham has him straightened out again!

Subject: Re: Leyland keeping tabs on Minors Sun May 25, 2008 3:05 pm

Yup. These guys have nowhere to go but up!!!
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There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Leyland keeping tabs on Minors Mon May 26, 2008 9:26 am

Subject: Re: Leyland keeping tabs on Minors Mon May 26, 2008 10:12 am

Well he SHOULD be keeping his eye on them duh, they are good. They should all be up here.

Subject: Re: Leyland keeping tabs on Minors Mon May 26, 2008 10:46 am

it will be time for a new lineup next year!
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There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Leyland keeping tabs on Minors Mon May 26, 2008 10:48 am

Subject: Re: Leyland keeping tabs on Minors Mon May 26, 2008 10:48 am

But I still believe Tigers will be number 1 in October