This past weekend the MLB network revealed the top 100 prospects in the game. As would be expected the Detroit Tigers did not have any prospects break in the top-50, but last year’s first-round draft pick, Matt Manning came in at 74. While it is well noted that the Tigers do not have much depth when it comes to prospects, having someone like Manning in the system bodes well for the future.
#Tigers @MattManning19 named no. 74 on @MLBPipeline Top 100 prospect list. #MiLB
— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) January 29, 2017
According to Jason Beck:
The son of former NBA center Rich Manning, Matt Manning was a two-sport star in high school and had a scholarship offer to play basketball and baseball at Loyola Marymount. The Tigers selected the 6-foot-6 hurler with the ninth overall pick, hoping to focus his athleticism and arm on the diamond, enticing him to turn pro with a $3.5 million signing bonus. He immediately became Detroit’s top-rated prospect, ranking 66th on MLB.com’s midseason top 100 list.
Manning went 0-2 with a 3.99 ERA over 10 starts in the Gulf Coast League, but he struck out 46 over 29 1/3 innings, showing off a fastball in the mid to upper 90s along with a power curve.
ICYMI: #Tigers prospect @MattManning19 was named to @MLB.com's top 100 prospect list over the weekend ➡️ https://t.co/Wlw5c9k8Uy pic.twitter.com/1NrimdlXCQ
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) January 30, 2017
Manning is only 19-years-old and should begin this season in Class-A West Michigan. Manning is definitely someone to keep our eyes on for the future.
