I’m back with a brand new batch of 10 Detroit Tigers 2019 prospects. Today’s list heavily features outfield and pitching prospects, which the Tigers’ system is loaded with.
In case you’d like to check out the previous parts of the Get to know your Detroit Tigers 2019 prospects series please use the links below:
- Part one
- Part two
- Part three
Let’s hop right in and meet the prospects:
Christin Stewart, OF
http://gty.im/1127599853
While I could have certainly started this batch of Detroit Tigers 2019 prospects with another pitcher, I figured I’d share the love with the outfield this go. Yes, Christin Stewart‘s defense is a big question mark, but after playing 17 games for the Tigers last season Stewart looked like he belonged. In just 72 plate appearances Stewart hit a pair of home runs, drew 10 walks, and added 10 RBIs. If you like power, Stewart is your guy. His power is easily 60-grade and it has translated into games, producing three straight 25-plus home run seasons. Stewart has a lack of speed and a below average throwing arm which makes him a liability in the outfield and may push him to DH down the road. DH is the best position for Stewart and playing in the AL certainly allows that option, but he may not get that opportunity if the Tigers can talk Miguel Cabrera in taking the position on a regular basis.
Alex Faedo, RHP
http://gty.im/921924704
The Detroit Tigers 2019 prospects crop is loaded with pitching talent and Alex Faedo is another good example of that. The 6-foot-5, 230 lbs right-hander was the Tigers’ first-round pick in the 2017 draft out of the University of Florida. While he struggled in 2018, there were rumors that Faedo’s conditioning and fastball velocity were not as good as expected, the Tigers’ development gurus believe that he can bounce back in 2019. Faedo has two plus or better pitches at his disposal: 1) a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and has good sink. 2) a tight slider with two-plane tilt. He also working on a changeup that lacks consistency but has shown some fade when he’s throwing it well. Faedo has the potential to become either a solid number two or a late-inning bullpen weapon.
Adam Wolf, LHP
Adam Wolf was selected by the Tigers in the 5th round of the 2018 draft out of Lousiville. At 6-foot-6 and 225lbs, Wolf is an intimidating sight for batters. The lefty doesn’t try to dominate hitters with a single pitch, instead relying on a mix of four pitches. Wolf’s fastball sits in the low 90’s and he is working on his curveball and changeup. He recently added a cutter which has turned into his best pitch. Even though he doesn’t throw overly hard, Wolf’s solid four-pitch mix and feel for pitching should allow him to turn into a back-end starter or long-relief option.
Kingston Liniak, OF
A fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft, Kingston Liniak is a project with high risk but high reward potential. Liniak is a great athlete with above-average speed, a lot of promising tools, and plenty of room to grow but he is a very raw prospect. He has the potential for a 50 hit tool but his power, while limited, is likely enough to reach double-digits in home runs annually which could have him sitting atop the Tigers lineup one day. Liniak will likely stick as an all-around solid center fielder but would be an above-average defender as a corner outfielder well.
Elvin Rodriguez, RHP
Acquired in the Justin Upton trade with the Los Angeles Angles, Elvin Rodriguez spent the entire 2018 season at Single-A. Rodriguez showed fans why the Tigers wanted him as a return piece in that deal by maintaining a 3.34 ERA and 3.41 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 113 1⁄3 innings. Rodriguez has a fastball that sits in the low to mid-90s and he pairs that with a hard curveball with good shape to it. Those two pitches are his bread and butter right now but he also has a quickly developing changeup that projects as at least an average offering for him down the road. Rodriguez has the upside of a middle of the rotation starter, but could end up as an impact bullpen arm should the Tigers not have room for him in the rotation. The 2019 season will provide a nice test for him as he moves up to High-A with the Lakeland Flying Tigers.
Dustin Peterson, OF
http://gty.im/1132147448
Dustin Peterson was designated for assignment last September by the Atlanta Braves and was quickly claimed by the Tigers. While Peterson is a well-rounded outfielder who has the potential to hit, run, and field at a league-average level, he hasn’t put any of those tools on display at any point throughout his minor league career. Because of this Peterson has the looks of a fourth/fifth outfielder or fringe starter. He should get some run in Detroit at some point in 2019. The Braves pushed him through their system quickly, so he has youth on his side (he’ll be 24 at the start of the season).
Sandy Baez, RHP
http://gty.im/1035789844
This will be a make-or-break season of sorts for Sandy Baez, who only has one more minor league option remaining. Baez made it all the way to the Detroit in 2018 but it wasn’t due to great performances in Double-A. Baez looked like a weapon in the making in his few appearances with the Tigers thanks largely to a big fastball with plenty of life on it, but some newfound command issues at the Double-A level are concerning. He has a chance of making the Tigers bullpen in 2019, but that may be more an indictment of the state of the Tigers’ bullpen than an endorsement of Baez’s ability.
Jose King, 2B/SS
Jose King joined the Tigers as part of the J.D. Martinez trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. At just 20 years old, King has a low floor but has time to develop. His approach at the plate is contact-oriented but needs to improve his bat-to-ball skills. King’s speed gives him plenty of range, but his arm is ill-suited to make the long, hard throws from short to first that prevent infield hits. King will likely start the season with the Class A Short Season Connecticut Tigers and be moved to the West Michigan Whitecaps if he plays well. As far as prospects go, King is ways away from making it to Double-A and likely years away from making his MLB debut.
Dominic Ficociello, 1B/OF
http://gty.im/665321138
Dominic Ficociello spent most of last season with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves and finished the season hitting .273/.348/.380/.728 after playing in 97 games. The main area of concern with Ficociello is that he’ll be 27 for most of the 2019 season. He’s likely to start the season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens but could see some playing time this year in Detroit if Miguel Cabrera finds himself on the DL again.
That’ll do it for part four of this five-part series introducing you to the Detroit Tigers 2019 prospects. Thank you for reading this far! If you’d like to check out the previous article please click the link below:
