Detroit Tigers' 2014 Minor League Awards
While the Detroit Tigers are still in the thick of a pennant race, the club’s minor league teams recently brought their seasons to a close. It was a largely unsuccessful 2014 campaign for Tigers affiliates, with only the Class-A West Michigan Whitecaps (41-29) achieving a winning record. Despite their teams’ travails, there were many players whose light shone through these murky seasons.
From April to August, youngsters at West Michigan, Lakeland (A), Erie (AA) and Toledo (AAA) auditioned to be the Detroit stars of the future. Some of them (e.g. Steven Moya and James McCann) have already progressed to the big league club.
A deep prospect pool is the best indicator of a healthy baseball organisation. If the talent on display this season is any sign, Detroit’s future is looking bright.
Last week, the official Player and Pitcher of the Year awards were snapped up by Moya and Austin Kubitza, respectively.
In order to recognize the other standout performers in the organisation, five additional awards have been created for the top player at infield, outfield, catcher, starting pitcher and relief pitcher.
The criteria for these selections includes the players’ individual statistics and how they compared with peers at their level. Also, consideration was given to the amount of progress they made during the year.
It was not that long ago when players such as Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander and Ian Kinsler were honing their craft in the minors on their way to the big leagues. Before too long, they will have exited the game and been replaced by the next generation.
Of course, it is difficult to forecast whether the following youngsters can follow a similar path to their predecessors. Time will tell.
As for now, it’s time to appreciate what they brought to the table in 2014.
All stats in this article are courtesy of milb.com.
*Please note that prospect ratings are provided by mlb.com and that only Player and Pitcher of the Year awards are official.
Player of the Year: Steven Moya
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Moya was outstanding this season for the Double-A Erie Seawolves. The outfielder was named MVP of the AA Eastern League after topping the charts in several offensive categories: home runs (35), RBI (105) and slugging percentage (.555). His homer and RBI totals were also both club records.
Listed at 6’7’’, 230 pounds, the burly slugger recently earned his first shot at the big show with the September call-ups. With no outfielders signed beyond the 2015 season, Detroit’s seventh-rated prospect could soon be established in one of the corners and stay there for a long time.
One record Moya will not be proud of this year is his league-leading 161 strikeouts. Seawolves manager Lance Parrish believes the Puerto Rican will mature as a hitter and better understand the strike zone given time. Via Steve Kornacki of Fox Sports:
"It's just a matter of him playing every day and working on his swing, learning the strike zone better. But his potential is off the charts. He has as much power as anyone, and runs well with those big strides. He's legit. I can very easily see him being an impact player in Detroit.
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Pitcher of the Year: Austin Kubitza
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Kubitza had a very successful first full season as a professional. Plying his trade for the Whitecaps, the right-hander was one of the best pitchers in the Class A Midwest League.
His crossfire delivery and lively slider earned him an impressive 10-2 record. He was also second in the league in ERA (2.34) and WHIP (1.08), as well as fourth in strikeouts (140).
Kubitza’s performances this year also earned him a place on the midseason All-Star team and two Pitcher of the Week awards.
The 22-year-old’s imposing 6’5’’ frame would suit the Detroit organisation, which seems to have a preference for tall pitchers. Current starters Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, David Price and Rick Porcello are all 6’3’’ or taller. Their sixth-ranked prospect appears to be on the right path to joining them in the years to come.
Infielder of the Year: Devon Travis
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Detroit’s fourth-rated prospect put himself on the map with a breakout year in 2013 at West Michigan. This season, the second baseman continued his seemingly inexorable route to the big leagues putting up solid numbers at Double-A Erie.
Travis had an impressive slash line of .298/.358/.460, with his batting average ranking seventh in the Eastern League. He was selected to the postseason All-Star team, as well as chosen to play in the Arizona Fall League. Unfortunately, core surgery has ended his season prematurely.
Although he has been picked as the organisation’s top infielder, the former 13th-round draft choice could end up playing in the outfield. With a glut of middle infielders in the Tigers system, Travis may be able to find a home at center field.
Per Chris Iott of mlive.com, Tigers assistant general manager Al Aliva believes the 23-year-old should be able to make the transition successfully:
"He looks like he should be able to play center field. We feel he's going to hit and hit well. He runs good. He's a good athlete, so it's kind of a no-brainer to look at him in center field and see if he profiles out there.
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Honorable Mentions
SS Eugenio Suarez (AA, AAA): .288/.360./.510, 27 XBH (54 games)
SS Hernan Perez (AAA): .287/.331/.404, 45 XBH (133 games)
SS Dixon Machado (AA): .305/.391/.452, 29 XBH (90 games)
2B Domingo Leyba (A short/A): .323/.360/.423, 21 XBH (67 games)
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Outfielder of the Year: Wynton Bernard
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Bernard was the feel-good story of the 2014 season. Dumped by the Padres organisation prior to the season, the 23-year-old center fielder had to pay his own way to Lakeland in the spring in order to try out with the Tigers. He ended up making the Whitecaps squad and has not looked back.
The 6’2’’ 200-pounder was named MVP after leading the Midwest League in batting average (.328), hits (89) and stolen bases (45). He was also second in total bases (217) and on-base percentage (.401). Bernard’s 159 hits were a franchise record.
In mid-August, Whitecaps manager Andrew Graham praised the up-and-coming outfielder and spoke of his development throughout the season. Via Peter J. Wallner of mlive.com, he said:
"For a guy who was signed out of a trial camp, Wynton has had an amazing season. He was a dead pull hitter and now he's hitting .330 and hitting to all fields, and especially to the right side with two strikes. Plus, he can play all three outfield positions.
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Honorable Mentions
CF Ezequiel Carrera (AAA): .307/.387/.422, 43 steals (97 games)
RF Jeff Mcvaney (A): .273/.345/.423, 46 XBH (132 games)
LF Raph Rhymes (A): .256/.329/.381, 46 XBH (134 games)
Catcher of the Year: James McCann
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McCann showed his high potential again with another excellent year in the minors. Making the jump to Triple-A Toledo, the 6’2’’ backstop impressed with both bat and glove this season.
Detroit's 13th-rated prospect posted a .295/.343/.427 slash line in 109 games. His batting average ranked ninth in the International League and his 34 doubles were fifth.
After batting averages of .200 and .377 the two previous seasons in Erie, the former second-round selection is getting better and better at the plate.
McCann’s defensive skills continue to be top-notch. In three minor league seasons, he has gunned down 39 percent of all would-be base stealers.
The talented catcher appears to be major league ready, but Alex Avila still stands in his away. If McCann can out-hit the incumbent next preseason, then perhaps big league starting duties are not too far off for him.
Honorable Mention
Grayson Greiner (A): .322/.394/.444, 16 RBI (26 games)
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Kevin Ziomek
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Lefty starter Ziomek had an outstanding 2014 season for the Whitecaps. The Vanderbilt product was surely just pipped for Pitcher of the Year honors by his teammate Kubitza.
Ziomek (10-6) won the Midwest League ERA crown with a stingy 2.27 mark in 23 starts. He was also second in strikeouts (152) and fourth in WHIP (1.15).
The Tigers’ fifth-rated prospect projects to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter with command of three average or better pitches—fastball, slider and changeup. Ziomek’s fastball tops out at 94 mph, and comparisons have already been made between himself and former Tiger Drew Smyly.
Honorable Mentions
Buck Farmer (A, AA, AAA): 12-6, 3.07, 129k
Kyle Ryan (AA, AAA): 10-10, 3.95 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
Relief Pitcher of the Year: Angel Nesbitt
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Nesbitt, 23, had stints at Single-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie in 2014. The Venezuelan impressed at both stops, pitching in 24 games for each ballclub.
The righty was lights-out at Lakeland with a 2-0 record, 0.79 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. With little challenge left for him at the Class A level, a promotion was inevitable. Double-A hitters were also over-matched by the flame-thrower, as his 1-0, 2.23 ERA, 1.08 WHIP suggests.
Nesbitt is Detroit’s 18th-rated prospect, and with a fastball that can reach 98 mph, it may not be long before we see him in the Motor City.
Honorable Mentions
RHP Justin Miller (AAA): 2-1, 1.81 ERA, 0.94 WHIP
LHP Blaine Hardy (AAA): 3-2, 2.68, 1.02 WHIP
LHP Jeff Mantiply (A): 6-3, 2.40 ERA, 1.07 WHIP
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