Detroit Tigers Weblog did a nice job breaking down Baseball America’s Top Ten Tiger Prospects so be sure to check out his commentary. Cameron Maybin tops the list with Andrew Miller coming in second place.
I’m really interested in seeing where Maybin starts at in 2007. His West Michigan Whitecaps coach, Matt Walbeck, is now the coach at Double-A Erie so I could see him starting there. The problem is, that’s a big jump for a player of Maybin’s age so Lakeland might make as much sense.
Andrew Miller should make the big league club and I see him filling Jamie Walker’s role as a left handed relief specialist. Third is Brent Clevlan and he’s a player without a spot. With Maybin being the Tigers centerfielder of the future, I’m curious to see what happens to Clevlan and Curtis Granderson.
While those top two guys are very impressive, it gets pretty spotty after that. Granted they just traded three prospects for Gary Sheffield, but the minor leagues are still a bit bare, at least when you’re talking about depth.
I tend to agree with Matt, would prefer to see Miller get a year of Minor league seasoning so he is ready to contribute in 08.
--I, too, believe Verlander will be the model that Miller follows.
I expect to see him in Detroit this year but I don’t expect he’ll earn a starting spot and Detroit wants him to be a starter, not a reliever.
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I’m really surprised so many people think Miller will start with Detroit next season. He has less than 20 professional innings, doesn’t he? Even Verlander spent most of his first professional season in the minors. Also, I can’t believe the Tigers would leave Miller to waste away in the bullpen getting 50 or 60 innings when he projects as such a high ceiling starter. I would think something closer to what Verlander did in 2005 (split time at Lakeland/Erie/Detroit) is more likely.
--Posted by Matt in Toledo on November 27th, 2006 at 6:40 pm