Inside the Article:
The Detroit Tigers farm system isn’t really much to write home about. With only one prospect ranked in Baseball America’s Top-100 prospects, President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris is tasked with rebuilding (though we’re not saying it) the rebuild; a rebuild that began in 2017. However, according to MLB.com’s Jim Callis, Jace Jung and Wenceel Perez are top-10 prospects as second basemen.
Why it matters:
- Jung was a first-round draft pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.
- Perez was signed out the Dominican Republic in 2016.
- Perez is a viable option to make his debut this season
- Both of them offer good offensive traits for a team that struggled offensively in 2022.
Detroit Tigers Jung and Perez inside the numbers:
Jace Jung
Jung is a versatile infielder who projects at second base. Known more for his offense than his defense, Jung was signed for the full slot deal of $4.5 million, after being drafted in the first round of the 2022 draft. Jung joined the West Michigan White Caps for the Tigers after the draft and played in 30 games.
- He hit .231/.373/.333, with a 106 wRC+.
- He walked 18.7% of his at-bats and struck out in 20.9% of them.
- He should started the year in AA and work his way up, most likely joining the club in 2024.
Wenceel Perez
The 23-year-old infielder has been in the Tigers’ system for five years now, and this year should be a step away from The Show. However, the switch-hitter’s contact ability and “above-average to plus” running ability make him a candidate to make some noise come spring.
- Perez had 39 games at AA-Erie last season.
- He walked 8.8% of the time and struck out only 13.5%.
- At every level of the minor leagues, he posted above-average wRC+
- More slasher than bruiser, he has the ability to make contact with the ball and saw his power numbers increase in 2022.
- In 107 at-bats in AA, he slashed .307/.374/.540 with a .540 wOBA and hit five home runs.
What they’re saying
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