Detroit Tigers Clips Monday, February 15, 2016

Detroit Free Press Tigers’ Norris beats cancer, is ready to fight for spot (Fenech) Seidel: Tigers 3B Castellanos comes back more mature (Seidel) Five Tigers position battles to watch this spring (Sipple) Tigers 2016: Who's new this year? (Fenech) Five Tigers prospects to watch in 2016 (Sipple) Joker Marchant construction could affect autographs (Fenech) Tigers could look at power arms with No. 9 draft pick (Sipple) Avila's emphasis on Tigers farm impresses Keith Law (Sipple)

The Detroit News The Detroit News’ Top 50 Tigers prospects (Henning)

MLB.com Tigers' prospects hope to leave camp with job (Beck)

Daily Transactions

1

Tigers’ Norris beats cancer, is ready to fight for spot February 15, 2016 By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. – Spring training hasn’t yet sprung, but don’t tell . The Tigers’ left-handed starting was present Sunday afternoon at , working on the back fields as the team’s continue to trickle in ahead of Thursday’s pitchers and reporting date. “Really exciting times,” Norris said. “As soon as I the road, I started getting excited about the upcoming season.” He is clear of the thyroid cancer he was diagnosed with last season after a successful surgery to remove a malignant growth, and he has been in Lakeland since the end of January. Parked next to the team’s minor league clubhouse was his road companion, a cream-colored 1978 Volkswagen van. Inside was an orange surfboard. Outside, he talked about the differences and similarities between entering camp this spring and last. “I feel more confident,” he said. “Very confident with the work I put in this winter.” Last season, Norris was in Dunedin with the Blue Jays. He didn’t have a spot penciled into the starting rotation and had yet to go through the up-and-down grind of a big-league season. This season, the lefty is all but guaranteed a spot at the back end of the Tigers’ rotation, and he thinks some of the confidence he will carry into camp stems from his comfort level with the organization. But his love for the game remains the same, and it’s evident in the way he has tackled his early spring throwing program. Early this week, Norris will throw his fourth session. “Playing for the first time down here in the nice weather, first bullpen session, it’s great,” he said. Norris, 22, posted a 3.75 ERA in 13 starts with the Tigers and Blue Jays last season. He was acquired at the trade deadline as the centerpiece of a deal for lefty . A striking difference between Norris last year and now is his facial stubble. Gone is the lengthy lumberjack beard he sported throughout last season. He shaved last week, which caused a number of his teammates to do a -take. “Now you can see how ugly your face is,” joked earlier in the month. It feels a bit different, not bearded, Norris said. “But it’s nice to feel the wind.”

2

Seidel: Tigers 3B Castellanos comes back more mature February 15, 2016 By Jeff Seidel/ Detroit Free Press

Spring arrives this week. The click-clack, click-clack of metal cleats striking the sidewalk as the Tigers migrate toward the back fields in . Fans lining up behind the fence, snowbirds on vacation and retirees sporting the Old English D, begging for autographs. Feeling the warm sunshine and watching and hearing the sounds coming from the cages and sensing the return of optimism — always, the optimism, even after last year’s disaster. A new baseball season is oh, so close. The Tigers’ pitchers and catchers will report to Lakeland, Fla., this week with their first official practice Friday. As always, health will be one of the biggest variables for the Tigers. , Victor Martinez, Anibal Sanchez, Justin Verlander and Jose Iglesias have to stay healthy and in the lineup for the Tigers to have any chance. There is uncertainty surrounding the starting lineup, but the bullpen appears significantly improved — at least on paper. And several young players have the potential to make this a fascinating season. Daniel Norris seems poised to break out, and James McCann will be the leader from behind the dish for the first time from the start. Then there is Nick Castellanos. Will he be the guy who struggled at the start of last season or the one who turned it around in the second half? After that experience, Castellanos seems like a different player, a wiser person, and there is no doubt in his mind about himself or this team. “If you look at our entire team, if we are able to play the way that we are supposed to play, there is no reason we can’t go far, deep into the postseason,” he said. There it is. All the confidence and optimism rolled into one determined quote. From a guy who took an interesting journey to get to this spot. More mature, but still young When he was 20, Castellanos thought he had it all figured out. It was 2012, and Castellanos was raking the ball for the . He was hitting .400 in the on his way to becoming the 15th-ranked prospect in baseball by . Everything was coming so easy to this $3.4-million bonus baby, and he figured it was time to move up the Tigers’ minor league system. “I remember him calling me up and saying, ‘Hey, I’m ready to move,’ ” general said. OK, so Castellanos never had a problem with confidence. “To his credit, he was hitting .400 at the time,” Avila said. “And he carried that average for a good month, if not longer. When you are doing that, you are thinking, ‘I need to move up.’ But he was a year out of high school, for crying out loud.” Castellanos did move up, riding a rocket ship through the minor league system. A year later, he was playing for the Tigers. “Looking back at that kid,” Castellanos said of his days in the minor leagues, “that kid was good, and he thought he had it figured out, but he didn’t know what was waiting for him behind the door.” Behind the door? That’s a complicated story, from his rapid ascent through the minor leagues to the Tigers’ failed attempt to convert him into an to his defensive struggles at third base to his at the start of last season. He always has had tremendous potential at the plate — he falls out of bed in the morning hitting the ball to right- center — but the defense hasn’t come so easy. But here’s the thing to remember: Even though he has played in 313 major league games, Castellanos is still ridiculously young. He won’t turn 24 until March 4. And he’s a different person now than that “kid” who walked into . 3

“I’m definitely more mature than when I walked through those doors, just in life,” Castellanos said. “I’ve experienced so much more. I own my own house now. I have a family. I’m a dad. I’m married. All that stuff changes you.” His son, Liam, is 2 1/2. And when you are raising a child, when you have to think about somebody before yourself, that changes you profoundly. “When my son is messing up, I’m a big talker,” Castellanos said. “Before I would yell, and now I will set him aside in a quiet environment and try to explain to him that what he’s doing is not OK. And for the most part he responds really well, when I take the time to sit with him and talk to him at his level.” That’s a dad talking, not a brash young kid right out of high school. “He has grown up right before my eyes,” said , who was in the same draft class with Castellanos, along with former Tigers left-hander . “He’s getting his life together.” Castellanos smiled. “I remember (Holaday) when he was straight out of TCU, and he remembers me straight out of high school,” Castellanos said. “Things change. We were drafted in 2010, and now it’s 2016. That’s ridiculous. It feels like our draft class was 20 years ago.” Castellanos was taken by the Tigers with the 44th pick in the 2010 draft. , a pitcher, was taken four spots later by the Tigers, and he was traded to Seattle as part of the trade. Quick pause: Man, oh, man, why does everything always seem to go back to a Fister trade? But I digress. Ruffin has retired from baseball. And it seems like we haven’t even seen everything that Castellanos can become. Be aggressive, but balanced Castellanos will enter this season with a much different attitude and approach — a direct result of what he went through last season. Midway through June, Castellanos was in a horrible skid, hitting .217. He was overly aggressive and swinging at bad pitches, striking out 63 times in 63 games. He started tinkering with his swing, thinking the problem was physical. But it wasn’t. “When the struggles were going bad, everybody kind of chipped in and helped me a lot,” he said. “They knew everything that I was going through wasn’t physical. It was all part of the growing pains of baseball.” Over his next 87 games, Castellanos learned to swing less but make more contact — simply by being more selective — and he hit .283 with 11 home runs. What changed? “I would say approach,” Castellanos said. “Stay calm and swing at strikes. That’s all I have to do. When I get pitches in the zone, I’m pretty good. When I chase pitches out of the zone, I’m not very good. I gotta relax and make pitchers throw strikes.” That knowledge and experience make him even more relaxed entering the season. He knows what it takes now and has a confidence that he can pull himself out of a dark place. He knows he should trust his swing and his approach. “Now, I’ve seen it, and I’ve done it,” he said. “I had a solid three months in the big leagues, just doing that. If my first half would have been the same as my second half, that’s a pretty good year.” Avila said Castellanos has to learn how to balance his aggressive nature. “Sometimes, he chases because he gets overanxious,” Avila said. “I wouldn’t say anxious. I’d say overly aggressive. I’d say, ‘Stay aggressive, but try to keep it in check.’ It’s that combination. ‘Be aggressive, but you gotta know the balance.’ Time will give him that experience to do that.” More room to grow The big knock on Castellanos always has been his defense. But his defense improved slightly last season. And he has prepared for this season by trying to improve his range. “The one thing I would say that I’ve changed in my workouts is giving it a more athletic base,” he said. “More athletic movements. To be more familiar with the ground and have a better reaction time at third base. Basically, just being a better all-around athlete.” 4

Castellanos is listed at 6 feet 4 and 215 pounds. And the Tigers expect his power to improve as his body continues to mature. “He got up here at a very young age,” Avila said. “He was still somewhat immature, and I’m talking physically. If you see him now, physically, he is a really strong guy. He is well-defined. He’s a big, strong guy. And he’s got a lot more physical growth in him. He’s going to be a monster of a man. “He has actually always been a great young man. Now, you are starting to see a level maturity. He’s going to be an outstanding big leaguer. Of course, emotionally and intellectually, he’s been getting smarter and maturing as a man. It’s a natural progression.” A natural progression that has had some natural peaks and valleys. All of those moments have led to this place. “It’s the combination of everything,” Castellanos said. “My rookie season was important. My -A season was important. Last year, the struggles that I had in the first half were extremely important. They are all pieces that paint a large picture.” It’s a picture that seems as if it’s only getting better. For him and the Tigers. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee anything. But it does make it fun as heck this time of year.

5

Five Tigers position battles to watch this spring February 15, 2016 By George Sipple/ Detroit Free Press

Free Press sports writer George Sipple breaks down the biggest position battles in spring training: No. 5 The top-four starters are expected to be Justin Verlander, Jordan Zimmermann, Anibal Sanchez and . That leaves left-handers Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd, and right-handers Shane Greene and to battle for the last spot in the rotation. Norris was 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.009 WHIP in eight starts for the Tigers. Backup catcher Bryan Holaday is out of options and could be traded before the end of spring training. It seems unlikely he’d clear waivers and end up at Triple-A Toledo. James McCann will get the bulk of the starts for the Tigers, with veteran left-handed hitter Jarrod Saltalamacchia expected to win the backup job. Centerfield was the starter last season, but the Tigers traded for before signing to start in leftfield. Gose and Maybin could platoon in center, with Gose playing against right-handed pitchers and Maybin playing against lefties. Back of the ’pen Five of seven spots figure to go to Francisco Rodriguez, Alex Wilson, Mark Lowe and left-handers Justin Wilson and Blaine Hardy. That leaves Bruce Rondon, Drew VerHagen, , Joe Jimenez and a veteran reliever who still might be brought in to compete for the last two spots. Fifth outfielder The top-four spots appear to be occupied by Gose, Maybin, Upton and J.D. Martinez. That leaves Tyler Collins, Mike Aviles and battling for the final spot. Seems likely it will be Aviles, because he can play any of the outfield spots, plus second base, and third base. Collins gets caught in the numbers crunch, and Moya still has a lot to prove. Sixth figures to get the nod over . Romine might see fewer opportunities with Aviles on the roster, but he hit .255 last season and can be relied on defensively. Barring injuries, Machado, who turns 24 on Feb. 22, figures to start the season at Triple-A Toledo.

6

Tigers spring training 2016: Who's new this year? February 15, 2016 By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

The Tigers turned over more than a third of their 25-man roster from last season, bringing in nine new players via trade and free agency. Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech breaks down the new guys: Justin Upton, LF Owner ’s late-winter splurge on Upton came out of leftfield and addressed the Tigers’ last remaining need. Upton, 28, is an elite talent, and his power and speed make their lineup one of the most formidable in baseball. In nine seasons, he is a .271 hitter with 190 home runs and 115 stolen bases. A three-time NL All-Star, most recently this past season with the Padres, Upton will benefit from the company of a number of other big bats in the lineup. Francisco Rodriguez, RHP Beefing up the bullpen was a big focus this winter, and the Tigers started by acquiring the veteran righty in an early off-season trade with the Brewers. Considered one of the elite closers in baseball throughout his 14-year career, Rodriguez has shown no signs of slowing down. In 2015, he posted a 2.21 ERA with 38 saves. For his career, he has 386 saves, which ranks seventh all-time, and will anchor the most important role in a much improved bullpen. Mike Pelfrey, RHP The team’s “other” starting pitching addition was significantly less flashy and more scrutinized. Pelfrey, 32, posted a 6-11 record, 4.26 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with the Twins in 2015. And while GM Al Avila hasn’t defended those numbers, the Tigers decided that Pelfrey was the safest bet to eat up and are betting his performance will improve with a better defense. Jordan Zimmermann, RHP Zimmerman was the Tigers’ top target in free agency, and they wasted no time plugging him into the frontline of their starting rotation. In seven seasons, Zimmermann has a 3.32 ERA and two National League All-Star appearances with the Nationals. His contract — five years, $110 million — demands ace-like numbers, and after he had a down 2015 season, the Tigers are counting on him to bounce back. Justin Wilson, LHP Perhaps the most impactful move of the Tigers’ off-season came in a relatively small swap at the winter meetings, when they acquired the lefty reliever from the Yankees for a pair of pitching prospects. Wilson, 28, has been stellar in his short career, posting a 3.03 ERA in three full seasons, with nearly a per . Wilson gives the Tigers a shut-down lefty in the bullpen that manager Brad Ausmus can mix and match in the late innings, and his flexibility is invaluable. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C The veteran catcher came aboard on a minimum contract this off-season and is the odds-on choice to come out of spring training as James McCann’s backup. The Tigers coveted Saltalamacchia for his switch-hitting skills and power potential in a pinch-hitting role. Saltalamacchia, 30, had double-digit home runs in four of his past five seasons. In 2015, he hit .225 with nine home runs with the Marlins and Diamondbacks. He gives the team a more veteran option to Bryan Holaday. Cameron Maybin, CF The Tigers traded for Maybin near the outset of the off-season, months before Ilitch gave the go-ahead to sign Upton, and it’s fair to wonder whether they would have had they known. Maybin was in line for an everyday job but now might have to settle for a platoon with Anthony Gose in centerfield, playing against lefties. Maybin, 28, hit .267 with 10 home runs and 59 RBIs this past season with the Braves. He is playing in a contract year. Mike Aviles, INF The Tigers liked Aviles for what he is — a veteran utilityman — and added an experienced player for the bench. Aviles can play multiple positions and gives Ausmus an added option in late-game situations and when

7 injuries arise. Aviles, 34, has played seven seasons against the Tigers in the division with the Royals and most recently the Indians. In 2015, Aviles hit .231 in 98 games. He is a career .265 hitter in eight seasons. Mark Lowe, RHP The Tigers grabbed Lowe as their eighth-inning man after he turned in a stellar season in 2015. In 34 games with the Mariners, he posted a 1.00 ERA. In 23 games with the Blue Jays, he posted a 3.79 ERA. Lowe bounced around for a few years before then, so the track record isn’t there. But he showed premium stuff last season.

8

Five Tigers prospects to watch in 2016 February 15, 2016 By George Sipple/ Detroit Free Press

Free Press sports writer George Sipple looks at five prospects who probably won’t make the roster out of spring training, but are worth keeping an eye on. JaCoby Jones, SS Watch him now, because you won’t be able to see him play for a while once the regular season starts. Jones, part of the trade that sent Joakim Soria to the last July, was hit with a 50-game suspension during the . It was a “drug of choice” violation, which means it was not for performance- enhancing drugs. Despite the suspension, the Tigers have invited Jones to big league camp in spring training. He’ll be allowed to play there before serving the remainder of his suspension. Jones is a shortstop who has also played third base. He’ll also get some opportunities to play in the outfield. Rated the organization’s No. 5 prospect by Baseball America. Mike Gerber, OF Remember when Steven Moya was the organization’s top outfield prospect? Moya was left off Baseball America’s recent list of top 10 prospects for the Tigers. Gerber, a left-handed hitter, was rated the organization’s No. 3 prospect and highest-ranked outfielder. Gerber was the Tigers’ minor league hitter of the year in 2015. He batted .292 with 150 hits, 31 doubles, 10 triples, 13 home runs and 76 RBIs in 135 games at Low-A West Michigan. He followed that up by hitting .280 with eight extra-base hits in 20 games in the Arizona Fall League. Tigers' emphasis on farm system impresses ESPN's Keith Law Joe Jimenez, RHP He was the Tigers’ minor league pitcher of the year in 2015. He dominated at Low-A West Michigan with a 1.47 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP with 61 in 43 innings.His is the 95-98 m.p.h. range, and he has a good . Rated the organization’s No. 7 prospect by Baseball America. , OF Moya isn’t the only left-handed hitting outfielder with power in the farm system. Stewart might be their top outfield prospect, more than Gerber or Moya. Stewart was the 34th overall pick in the 2015 draft and wound up spending most of his first season in the minors at Low-A West Michigan. He batted .286 with nine doubles, four triples and seven home runs in 51 games for the Whitecaps. Could play his way to Double-A this season. Rated the Tigers’ No. 4 prospect by Baseball America. , RHP A second-round pick in 2014 out of Alabama, he didn’t allow a home in 22 starts at Low-A West Michigan last season.He went 11-3 with a 3.01 ERA with 106 strikeouts and 52 walks in 116 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs or less in eight of his last 10 starts for the Whitecaps. Rated the No. 9 prospect for the Tigers by Baseball America. Throws a mid-90s fastball.

9

Joker Marchant construction could affect autographs February 15, 2016 By Anthony Fenech/ Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. – Ivan Barkman has been coming to spring training for a while. He started his yearly two-month foray down south from the Battle Creek area some 18 years ago, he estimated, and has only missed a few spring seasons since. And over that time, he has collected many an autograph from Detroit Tigers players. Among his most memorable, ironically, is a ball signed by the entire 2003 team, which set an American League record with 119 losses. His first autograph this spring was left-hander Daniel Norris. “It’s just a hobby of mine,” he said. “I like coming down here and getting some autographs and seeing some of the people I’ve met in years past.” Because of the construction beyond the rightfield fence at Joker Marchant Stadium – there is a structure of steel beams already erected – getting autographs might prove more of a challenge this year than in years past, when fans would line up the walkway from the clubhouse area to the back field. So Barkman figured he’d get a head start as the pitchers fill into camp. Last year, he was one of a couple dozen of people whom ace righty Justin Verlander signed for after a practice. Before the practice, Verlander told them he would be back. After, he signed every autograph, Barkman said. “Everyone just stood in a line,” he said. “It’s the first time I’d ever seen that happen.”

10

Tigers could look at power arms with No. 9 draft pick February 15, 2016 By George Sipple/ Detroit Free Press

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila has already had an impressive off-season, bolstering the team’s bullpen and outfield depth. It will be interesting to see what he does in June, when the Tigers have the ninth overall pick in the first round, but no picks in the second or third rounds. The top 10 picks in the draft are protected. The Tigers wound up losing their second-round pick by signing free- agent right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, then lost their third-rounder when they signed free-agent outfielder Justin Upton. “The draft is not loaded up top,” ESPN senior writer Keith Law told the Free Press. “There’s no clear 1-1 guy this year.” The have the first overall pick. “I could see (the Tigers) taking someone like a Forrest Whitley, who is a really big, physical, hard-throwing Texas high school pitcher,” Law said, basing that prediction on the Tigers’ past history of choosing power arms. Whitley (6-7, 250) is a right-handed pitcher with a mid-90s fastball from San Antonio. He made MaxPreps’ 2016 Preseason All-American team. According to www.maxpreps.com, Whitley was 7-1 with a 0.21 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 64.2 innings last season. Law also mentioned Greg Veliz, a right-handed high school pitcher from Miami, and shortstop Delvin Perez from Puerto Rico, as other possibilities. “A type of college guy they’ve gone for in the past, they’re not really there,” Law said. “I can’t think of a college starter in this class who would be there at pick nine who (throws) 95, 97. That’s what they want.”

11

Avila's emphasis on Tigers farm impresses Keith Law February 15, 2016 By George Sipple/ Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Tigers' farm system is trending upward, according to ESPN senior writer Keith Law. Law unveiled his annual list of the 30 farm systems Wednesday and ranked the Tigers No. 26, up from last place in 2015. The trades the Tigers made last summer helped bring them depth and a new No. 1 prospect, right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer, Law said. Law has been impressed with Al Avila, who was promoted to general manager after was fired last August. “I think Al Avila recognizes the value of building more of a farm system,” Law said. “Just like (Avila) has been clearer about wanting to ramp up their analytics capabilities. It’s going to be a very different direction with him in charge.” David Chadd was promoted to assistant general manager by Avila from vice president of amateur scouting. “I would say he’s one of those guys, it’s not how I would draft,” Law said of Chadd. “But I think he brings a lot of value into the organization in the drafts. They get a lot of power arms. “As long as they’re still throwing hard, you can trade them for something.” Law also unveiled his list of the top 100 prospects Thursday and Fulmer ranked No. 48. Law didn’t have any other Tigers ranked in the top 100. Outfielder , who made the top 100 in 2015, dropped off after having an injury-plagued season in the minors. As for Fulmer, Law said: “I think he’s at least a mid-rotation starter. “He’s got an above-average fastball. He’s got the out- . He’s got unusually good control. “They haven’t a pitching prospect like that in a while. A good starting pitching prospect who has got some across the board ability, as opposed to the good starting pitching prospect who just throws really hard.” Notes: Tigers director of Latin American player development Manny Crespo has been named the manager for Spain in the upcoming World Baseball Classic qualifier. ... The Tigers will host their Select-A-Seat and Open House event 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Comerica Park. Enter through Tiger Den Lounge off of Montcalm Avenue. The event gives potential new season-ticket buyers the opportunity to view available locations for the upcoming season. ... The have hired former Tigers pitcher Hideo Nomo as an adviser to baseball operations to help expand their presence in the Pacific Rim.

12

The Detroit News’ Top 50 Tigers prospects February 15, 2016 By Lynn Henning/ The Detroit News

Only a small percentage make it, of course. Few players signed or drafted or otherwise shipped to the minor leagues in the hopes they’ll someday graduate to the big leagues ever crack a major league boxscore. But some do. Many others are involved in significant trades. The Tigers, who annually are viewed as having a low-grade farm system, always seem to scrape together enough talent to offer a smidgen of help in Detroit, or at least as often, in trades. Their system isn’t as strong as those clubs that have been finishing in the division’s lower rungs. Teams such as the Twins, Brewers, etc., have been stockpiling early draft picks and avoiding forfeiture of those prized picks by ignoring expensive free agents, which is opposite of how the Tigers have done business in recent years. Mobile users can click here to view the gallery. But still the Tigers produce talent, either by way of the draft, or thanks to their international scouting. Here’s a look at The Detroit News’ Top 50 Tigers Prospects in 2016. Their paths. Their performance. Their potential. 1. Michael Fulmer, RHP, age 22, 6-3, 200: Dave Dombrowski played poker with the Mets ahead of last July’s trade deadline, and the former Tigers general manager won, at least from Detroit’s perspective. Dombrowski got the top pitching prodigy from the Mets as ransom for sending Yoenis Cespedes to New York. Fulmer has a fastball-slider combination that could make him a No. 2 or No. 3 starter in the rotation, perhaps soon. The Tigers likewise haven’t ruled out a potential closer’s role for Fulmer. But for now, he’ll remain a starter and likely begin at Triple A Toledo. 2. , RHP, age 19, 6-2, 200: Nothing scares a club quite like making a teenage pitcher its first- round pick. The Tigers never flinched last June when they jumped on Burrows, a Dallas-area high school star who showed during last summer’s Gulf Coast League he had all the power and finesse of a potential top-of-the- rotation starter. He has a potent package of pitches, as well as the brand of smooth delivery a big league team can at least begin to trust during a young pitcher’s long march to the majors. 3. Dixon Machado, SS, age 23, 6-1, 170: Machado played in 24 big league games in 2015 and barely makes the cut as a true prospect. But unless injuries say otherwise, he’ll begin the year at Triple A Toledo. From there, it could be a quick trip to Detroit, or, perhaps, to another club at July’s trade deadline. The Tigers are of a mind to hang onto Machado for the long term. He likely is a better defender, range-wise, than Jose Iglesias, and could also swing to second base as protection against Ian Kinsler’s advancing age. He has latent power and ideally needs a meaningful half-season, at least, at Toledo. 4. Joe Jimenez, RHP, age 21, 6-3, 220: He should have been an early grab in the 2013 draft. But his temporary money demands forced teams to bypass Jimenez, a hotshot Puerto Rican high school star who was receptive to a postdraft Tigers counter-offer. They got a potential bullpen star whose fastball-slider tandem fuels strikeouts and a heavy collection of weakly hit pitches. He must evolve at higher levels (Double A a likely first stop). But the Tigers believe he could be in Detroit as early as this season. 5. Kevin Ziomek, LHP, age 23, 6-3, 200: He was supposed to have been on track for potential work in Detroit in 2016. But then came 2015, and something of an offseason for the second-round pick (Vanderbilt) in 2013. Ziomek was relatively ordinary at A Lakeland: 3.43 ERA in 27 games, although he had a 1.15 WHIP, a hundredth of a point higher than during his first full season of pro ball at West Michigan. Ziomek isn’t a bullet- thrower, but he has a solid arsenal that, as 2016 could confirm, simply needs time to reach full feather. 6. Christin Stewart, OF, age 22, 6-0, 205: Left-handed power. Teams never have enough of it. The Tigers liked Stewart, a Tennessee star whom they’d been following since his school days in Georgia. In 71 games at three farm stops last summer, Stewart hit .285, with 10 home runs and an .880 OPS. He had seen Grade A pitching during his Southeastern Conference days and in his early days after signing with Detroit proved why a team snagged him in the third round of last June’s draft and believes he could be on a relatively fast path to Comerica Park.

13

7. JaCoby Jones, IF/OF, age 23, 6-2, 205: Jones was the Pirates’ peace offering when they pried away Joakim Soria from Detroit in another of Dombrowski’s July 2015 deadline deals. The Tigers saw Jones as a right- handed hitter and potential super-sub who could play a variety of infield and outfield spots and provide power, to boot. He needs to chop down on his strikeouts, and to avoid mischief that led to a 50-game suspension in 2016 for use of a non-addictive drug. But a trip to Detroit at some point late in 2016 could be in the cards. 8. Derek Hill, CF, age 20, 6-2, 195: There are the usual concerns about Hill, who was a first-round pick in 2014, fresh from Elk Grove (Calif.) High. Will he hit in a manner necessary for the Tigers to take full advantage of a young man’s speed and physical gifts? The Tigers were satisfied during his 2015 season at West Michigan (58 games, .238, .619 OPS) that Hill had survived an always-tough first year of professional ball, which included a quad strain and assorted aches. The Tigers expect a smoother season in 2016. 9. , LHP, age 21, 6-2, 200: Potentially, the 2015 draft could become one of the best for the Tigers in decades, primarily because so many promising pitchers were grabbed early. Alexander, who pitched at Texas Christian, was nabbed in last summer’s second round and quickly made a mess of minor league hitters with his control and repertoire that doesn’t feature heat as much as a steady string of quality pitches. In 12 starts at Single A Connecticut, Alexander had an 0.97 ERA, a .133 opposing batting average and an 0.59 WHIP. 10. , RHP, age 22, 6-2, 190: Smith was part of the 2015 draft class that, if health holds up, might have helped re-stock a system that had gotten thin on arms. A third-round pick out of Dallas Baptist, Smith has a blowtorch for an arm and could be one of those rapidly arriving relievers the Tigers would welcome to Comerica Park. Soon. In 13 games, 11 at West Michigan, Smith threw 31 innings, allowed 17 hits, struck out 38, and walked five. His ERA: 0.29. Opposing batting average: .156. WHIP: 0.71. 11. Steven Moya, OF, age 24, 6-7, 260: There is the awesome power. And there are strikeouts to match. Which will it be for Moya, a left-handed batter who looks like the Penobscot Building when he steps to the plate? The Tigers understand a man of his height, with obvious challenges, could go either way as he prepares for a season at Triple A Toledo. But they believe Moya is gaining in pitch-recognition and that, even if he strikes out 170 times a season, his 30-homer potential is worth taking a long look, especially when Moya has speed and outfield skills. 12. A.J. Simcox, SS, age 21, 6-3, 185: He was Christin Stewart’s teammate at Tennessee and down the line could very well rejoin him in Detroit. Simcox has a deft glove, makes good contact, and figures at the very least to work as a big league backup, depending upon how his bat develops. That should be better gauged this season at Single A Lakeland after Simcox, who bats right-handed, hit .330 (.762 OPS) in 49 games at three low (Rookie League and Single A) stops last summer. The Tigers were relieved to have gotten Simcox when their ninth-round pick, Colorado high school shortstop Nick Shumpert, decided to play college ball. 13. , RHP, age 21, 6-4, 205: If he can find the with any frequency, the Tigers will make known why they insisted Labourt be part of last July’s trade of David Price to the Blue Jays. Labourt’s fastball has a kind of volcanic fury to it, which is how he strikes out nearly a man per inning. But he also averages a walk every two innings, which isn’t a ratio many big league teams can abide. Still, because of his youth, and his raw power, the Tigers will let him incubate on the farm in 2016 and further assess what they might have gotten, beyond Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd, in last summer’s big trade. 14. Mike Gerber, OF, age 23, 6-2, 175: Once in a while the draft kicks out a teens-round surprise. The Tigers got one in 2012 with (13th round, traded for Anthony Gose). They probably got another in Gerber, a left-handed-batting Creighton product nabbed by the Tigers in the 15th round of the 2014 lottery. He’s done nothing but hit since the Tigers signed him, cooking up an .822 OPS (.292 batting average) in 135 games last season at Single A West Michigan. He has to do it at the higher levels, of course, and could find his way to Double A Erie in 2016, if his inspiring arc continues. 15. Anthony Pereira, SS, age 19, 6-0, 170: Pereira’s rank is all about age and upside. He has a chance to be a player in the lineage of Eugenio Suarez, a fellow Venezuelan whom the Tigers dealt to the Reds in 2014, much to Cincinnati’s delight. Pereira has size, lovely athleticism, and should develop power (he bats right-handed) as he adds crust and muscle to skills that make Pereira one to watch. If he follows script, the Tigers could be looking at a player who follows Suarez’s flight plan. If not, they’ll be saying hello to another Hernan Perez.

14

16. , RHP, age 24, 6-4, 225: Farmer might be the most overlooked pitcher in the system. He hasn’t dazzled during his big league cameos. But he still has enough power on his fastball, and enough gyrations to his breaking stuff, to make it in the line of fifth-round picks (Georgia Tech) who often crack the big leagues. He has added a slower curve ball to his quiver, which might or might not be helpful. But if he’s going to arrive as a regularly beneficial pitcher in Detroit, this is the year Farmer needs to prove so. 17. Zach Shepherd, 3B, age 20, 6-3, 185: Lots of questions abound about this Australia native, who was signed by the Tigers as a teenager in 2012. Can he play defense with sufficient grace to hang at third base? Or, is he a potential outfielder? Ultimately, of course, the Tigers are more concerned about a bat that shows potential, especially for a prospect so young and with a body styled to production. He’ll get a shot to show what he can do in 2016 during a long, hot Florida State League season at Single A Lakeland. The Tigers, though, wouldn’t be shocked if Shepherd blooms. 18. Spencer Turnbull, RHP, age 23, 6-3, 215: If you’re grabbed from a Southeastern Conference school (Alabama) in the second round of a draft (2014), tools and talent generally speak for themselves. Turnbull has potential as one of those No. 4 or No. 5 starters who, of course, are as valuable on a percentage basis as top-of- the-rotation thoroughbreds. Turnbull walks a few too many batters (most of the reason behind a 1.35 WHIP last season at Single A Michigan). But he has enough talent to pitch in the big leagues. A reassuring year at Lakeland in 2016 would all but confirm it. 19. Adam Ravenelle, RHP, age 23, 6-3, 185: Ravenelle probably ranks higher than 19th. But he ranks first among Tigers prospects who had tough luck in 2015. He was sick (awful virus), and missed all kinds of time, and only late in the season did he begin to get his body back as he finished with a string of scoreless innings at West Michigan. It was then that a fourth-round pick from Vanderbilt (2014) began to show some of the stuff seen during Vandy’s 2014 College World victory. 20. Kade Scivicque, C, age 22, 6-0, 225: The Tigers have done a neat job the past decade drafting that most difficult of prospects to seize, catchers. They either have landed jobs in Detroit (Alex Avila, Bryan Holaday, James McCann), or they’ve been dealt for reasonable returns (, , etc.). They probably got another poker chip of meaningful value in Scivicque, an LSU alum and right-handed batter, who after signing last season (fourth round), hit .406 at Single A Connecticut before cooling down at West Michigan. He’s more of a hitter, perhaps, than a gifted defender. But the Tigers know a catcher’s value and plan on Scivicque at least offering important options. 21. Dominic Moreno, RHP, age 22, 5-11, 197: Hard-thrower who was an eighth-round pick (Texas Tech) in 2015. Good control. A man who by next season could pitch in the big leagues should his early ascendancy hold course. 22. Julio Martinez, OF, age 18, 6-2, 195: Right-handed-hitting outfielder with tools and significant potential, which is why the Tigers signed this Dominican Republic prospect to a $600,000 deal when he was 16. He’ll be playing his first full season in the United States in 2016. 23. Gerson Moreno, RHP, age 20, 6-0, 175: Must chop down on the walks, but another strikeout pitcher who could find his way into some long-term, back-end bullpen plans. Signed as a teenager out of the Dominican Republic. 24. Josh Turley, LHP, age 25, 6-0, 185: You never rule out a man who can throw the . Turley can pitch meaningful innings (153 at Double A Erie in 2015, with a 3.29 ERA and 1.22 WHIP) because of a knuckler he began dabbling with only a couple of years ago. He was a 16th-round pick (Baylor) in 2012. 25. Hector Martinez, 2B, age 19, 5-11, 175: Another of the potential prizes from the Dominican Republic, Martinez is a right-handed hitter who last season hit .336 with an .884 OPS in the Dominican Summer League. He’ll get his first taste of United States baseball in 2016. 26. Cam Gibson, OF, age 22, 6-1, 195: He runs well, gets a bat on the ball, and is, well, named Gibson, which means there are genetics that help explain how Kirk’s son has grown into a potential big leaguer. Doesn’t hit for great power, but this Michigan State man (fifth-round pick, 2015) could eventually drop anchor in Detroit as at least a fourth outfielder.

15

27. Jose Azocar, CF, age 19, 5-11, 165: A native Venezuelan, Azocar has serious skills, although at the moment pitch-recognition isn’t included. He’ll need to refine his judgment in 2016, which could determine whether this right-handed hitter has a viable future in the big leagues. 28. Randel Alcantera, 3B, age 18, 6-1, 180: One to follow, for sure. Alcantera has power in his left-handed bat and plays a position where offense and defense can be difficult to find in equal measure. He’s a Dominican native, headed for his first taste of U.S. baseball in 2016. 29. Angel Nesbitt, RHP, age 25, 6-1, 240: There’s no excuse for Nesbitt having fallen so rapidly a year after he made the big league club out of spring camp. Nor is there any reason why he later struggled at Triple A Toledo, although that’s one reason why the Tigers realigned minor league pitching coaches. A hard-thrower who could be due for a big rebound. 30. Paul Voelker, RHP, age 23, 5-10, 185: Had a bust-out season in 2014, making it all the way to Double-A Erie a year after the Tigers snagged him in the 10th round (Dallas Baptist). Good inventory of pitches. Can’t rule him out of the Tigers’ 2016 plans. 31. Jose Valdez, RHP, age 25, 6-1, 195: Has another of those high-octane arms that unfortunately is countered by low-mileage in the strike zone. He had a seven-game stint in Detroit last season and has much work to do. But the arm is big league grade, no question. 32. Trey Teakell, RHP, age 23, 6-5, 170: Another of the college-arms haul in 2015 (ninth round, TCU), Teakell doesn’t dazzle or overpower, but he knows how to pitch. Down the road could be a long-relief answer. 33. Jose Salas, SS, age 18, 6-0, 160: You never know about a teenager, although the Tigers have developed their share of Venezuelan youngsters and have seen their value soar. Salas is worth observing, all because of his size and right-handed bat. Might end up at third base or even at first. 34. , LHP, age 21, 6-1, 180: One of those youngsters (turned 21 on Thursday) whose fastball and left arm make teams dream about what might be. Excellent potential in this Dominican Republic resident who could be headed to Single A West Michigan. 35. Kody Eaves, 2B, age 22, 6-0, 175: Eaves was part of a January swap that sent Jefry Marte to the Angels. A left-handed batter, he doesn’t project as a starter, but could be of help as a utility man. Likely will start the season at Single A Lakeland. 36. , C, age 23, 6-6, 220: Greiner was supposed to have been on his way to Double A in 2016 and to consideration as at least a potential backup in Detroit. But he had a terrible 2015 at Single A Lakeland and this third-round pick (South Carolina, 2014) needs to realign his offense in 2016. 37. Dean Green, DH/1B, age 26, 6-4, 255: He’s a career .309 hitter in five minor league seasons with the Tigers. The difficulty: Green, for all his size, isn’t a big (16 HRs in 2015), and if he plays anywhere in the field, it must be first base. Still, a guy who can hit liners and pop the periodic homer could find his way to Comerica Park as a fill-in or bench bat. 38. Dominic Ficociello, 1B, age 23, 6-4, 205: He’s a switch-hitter who twice was drafted by the Tigers (chose to play college ball at Arkansas) before Detroit finally won in 2013 (12th round). Ficociello hit .293 in 2015 with a .764 OPS in stops at high Single A and at Double A Erie. Needs to get stronger, but has a shot. 39. Eduardo Jimenez, RHP, age 20, 6-0, 183: A project all the way in the fashion of all young pitchers who have the arms but need artistry if they care to see the big leagues. The Tigers signed him out of Venezuela, which means he has typical trademark talent that, as always, needs seasoning. 40. Francisco German, RHP, age 19, 6-2, 160: Again, the fiery fastball is there. And sometimes there’s control to match. But when you’re 19, nothing happens rapidly, which is why the Tigers will allow this son of the Dominican Republic to marinate for as long as necessary 41. Joey Pankake, 2B, age 23, 6-2, 185: He needs to move, rather quickly, to the upper levels and would do well in 2016 to have a big season at Single A Lakeland, or above. But there is just enough substance to this seventh- round pick (South Carolina) from 2014 to suggest Pankake, a right-handed batter, could someday crack Comerica Park’s menu. 42. Shane Zeile, C, age 22, 6-1, 195: He had injury issues in 2015 and played in 71 games, which probably contributed to a surprisingly anemic .220 batting average. But this is a fine athlete, drafted out of UCLA (fifth round, 2014) and a very good bet to have a more appealing 2016 season. 16

43. Adrian Alfaro, SS, age 20, 5-9, 176: Alfaro bats left-handed and has enough innate batting skill to make the Tigers wonder if they might have something cooking here. Question will be, as always: Is he a career minor leaguer? Or, a budding big leaguer who could, at a minimum, be a Ramon Santiago-type off the bench? 44. Endrys Briceno, RHP, age 24, 6-5, 175: Two years ago, the Tigers thought they had an assembly-line starter who was closing in on Detroit. He had a flame-licking fastball, size, spin on his breaking stuff, and a future. Arm problems developed and Briceno hasn’t come close to being the same pitcher. Yet. There’s still time. 45. Steven Fuentes, 3B, age 21, 5-11, 180: A switch-hitter, Venezuelan-born and raised, who could play third base, or shortstop, or second base, and who looked one time as if he might be a farm-system star. Those were the visions. But last year introduced a new reality as Fuentes batted .154 and slid as rapidly as he once had risen. 46. , RHP, age 23, 6-3, 195:He gave up too many hits in 2015 (87 in 79⅓ innings), which wasn’t ideal for a college pitcher (Virginia) working his first full season at Single A West Michigan. Lewicki, though, was an eighth-round draft pick with a chance. A more reassuring season at Single A Lakeland would at least leave him on track. 47. Johan Belisario, RHP, age 22, 5-11, 165: Not a bad pick to perhaps make a dramatic gain in status and pecking-order in the Tigers’ farm chain. Belisario throws heat, but needs substantially more – no surprise – command if he’s going to become a serious big-league contender. He’s another of the Tigers’ Venezuela imports. 48. , LHP, age 22, 6-0, 200: Another who could find his way closer to a Top 20 ranking should his 2016 season progress in happy fashion. Hall was a sixth-round pick (Missouri State) last June and, as a left- hander, has enough power to make him a comfortable presence in a farm system that needs any and all arms. 49. Gabe Hemmer, RHP, age 25, 6-3, 220: He’s a bit advanced in age, but not when one considers Hemmer wasn’t drafted until 2014 (24th round, San Diego Christian). What he spent most of 2015 doing was impressing at three levels, from Single A to Double A, to this tune: 67 strikeouts in 62⅓ innings, only 46 hits, and 18 walks. His WHIP was 1.03, his opposing batting average .204. Another who, with a pleasing season, could by next year be Top 20. 50. Eudis Idrogo, LHP, age 20, 6-1, 198: One of those Venezuelan prodigies who could find his way into the mix of Most Likely To Succeed should his 2016 season go as imagined. Has the size at a young age, and a high- rpm repertoire, to move in a hurry. BEST OF THE REST Prospects, who for all intents and purposes, are virtually interchangeable with many from the Top 50 list: Sandy Baez, RHP Matt Crouse, LHP Edgar De La Rosa, RHP Calvin Drummond, RHP Julio Felix, RHP Tyler Ford, LHP Alfred Gutierrez, RHP Alec Kisena, RHP Confesor Lara, RHP Patrick Mackenzie, 2B Joe Mantiply, LHP Whit Mayberry, RHP Ryan Milton, RHP Victor Padron, OF Joe Rogers, LHP Jake Shull, RHP Andres Tejada, RHP Jeff Thompson, RHP

17

Tigers' prospects hope to leave camp with job February 15, 2016 By Jason Beck/ MLB.com

DETROIT -- The Tigers spent the offseason reloading rather than rebooting, rendering those deals for prospects at last summer's Trade Deadline more of a blip than a trend. The Tigers head to Spring Training looking to return to the race, but they believe some of those prospects could be a part of that run -- if not out of Spring Training, then perhaps around midseason. That was one reason for new general manager Al Avila's offseason moves -- big and small free-agent signings, targeted trades and no highly rated prospects going out. "We acquired nine new players for our 25-man roster, and we were able to hang onto our top prospects, which is amazing really," assistant GM David Chadd said last month at TigerFest. That applies prominently on the pitching side, where Spring Training will be an exercise in long-term evaluation for several arms. "I've always said the best closers sometimes come from your own system, if you can create them," Avila said earlier this offseason. "And I do believe that in not trading some of these guys away, we may be able to come up with a really, really good one at some point down the stretch if needed, not to mention moving forward in future years." Several of those prospects will be part of big league camp. Some will have a chance to compete for jobs. Here's a look: RHP Michael Fulmer: The Yoenis Cespedes trade to the Mets last July 31 turned Fulmer from a sixth-ranked Mets prospect to the top prospect in MLBPipeline.com's most recent Tigers rankings. A standout spring could turn him into a Tiger on . He's a long shot for the fifth rotation spot, but Avila and manager Brad Ausmus have said they're open to considering him for a bullpen role like had 10 years ago. RHP Joe Jimenez: Though Jimenez hasn't thrown a regular-season pitch above the aside from last summer's All-Star Futures Game, he's talented enough to be a contender for the Tigers' closer of the future, not to mention Detroit's 11th-ranked prospect. Thanks to his power fastball, good slider and a big arm, his future as a Tiger could be sooner rather than later, though probably not out of this camp. SS Dixon Machado: One of the bright spots of Detroit's struggles down the stretch was Machado's work filling in for an injured Jose Iglesias at shortstop in September. The Tigers' 12th-ranked prospect looks ready for the big leagues right now defensively, but the 23-year-old still needs to mature at the plate. Detroit wants to keep him at shortstop rather than consider him for a utility role, but he'll be lurking if the injury bug stings Iglesias again. OF Steven Moya: If a .240 average, .703 OPS and 162 strikeouts at Triple-A Toledo didn't sufficiently slow Moya's path to the big leagues, the Tigers' signing of Justin Upton blocked him, filling Detroit's outfield spots for the next two years. The Tigers would rather have their second-ranked prospect play every day and learn in Toledo than linger on the bench in Detroit. INF JaCoby Jones: The return prospect from Pittsburgh in the Joakim Soria trade, Jones made enough of an impression at Double-A Erie in August to earn a spot in the Arizona Fall League. However, his suspension for a positive test for a drug of abuse will be a setback. While the versatile 23-year-old infielder -- ranked ninth among Tigers prospects by MLB Pipeline -- can play in Spring Training games, he'll miss the first 39 games of the regular season. RHP Drew VerHagen: Though VerHagen still qualifies for prospect status, ranking 17th on MLB Pipeline's list, he pitched enough in the big leagues to make a major impression on management and gain an edge on a bullpen spot. Once among the Tigers' most promising starting prospects, the lanky right-hander found bullpen work not only more amenable to his previously injured back, but also more fitting to his quietly intense personality. LHP Kevin Ziomek: One of several Vanderbilt pitching prospects in the Tigers system, Ziomek ranks highest of the group, placing sixth on MLB Pipeline's list. The big left-hander, a former second-round pick, pitched much better at Class A Advanced Lakeland than his 9-11 record would suggest, well enough to earn a non-roster

18 invite after just two full seasons in the system and no action above Class A ball. He's still a little ways off from competing for a big league role, but his first camp should be a learning experience.

19

LAST UPDATED: MON, FEBRUARY 15, 2016, 03:03 EST

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2016

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Milwaukee Brewers Charles Brewer Signed to a Minor League Contract

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Chicago Cubs C.J. Riefenhauser Acquired Off Waivers From from Orioles, Baltimore

Chicago Cubs Edgar Olmos Designated for Assignment

Cleveland Indians Guillermo Quiroz Signed to a Minor League Contract

Cleveland Indians Signed as Free Agent, ( 2016)(one-year contract)

Los Angeles Angels Josh Zeid Signed to a Minor League Contract

Los Angeles Angels Lou Marson Signed to a Minor League Contract

Miami Marlins Craig Breslow Signed to a Minor League Contract

Milwaukee Brewers Blaine Boyer Signed to a Minor League Contract

New York Mets Jenrry Mejia Suspension Announced By League, (lifetime ban for third drug violation)

New York Yankees Aroldis Chapman Signed, ( 2016)(avoids arbitration)

Oakland Athletics Sean Nolin Designated for Assignment

20

Toronto Blue Jays Colt Hynes Signed to a Minor League Contract

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Kansas City Royals Mike Moustakas Signed, ( 2016-2017)(two-year contract, avoids arbitration)

New York Yankees Lane Adams Outrighted to Minors

Pittsburgh Pirates Cory Luebke Signed to a Minor League Contract

Pittsburgh Pirates Eric O'Flaherty Signed to a Minor League Contract

21