Future Shock

Tigers Top 11 Prospects

by Kevin Goldstein

Five-Star Prospects
1. Jacob Turner, RHP
2. Casey Crosby, LHP
Four-Star Prospects
3. Scott Sizemore, 2B
Three-Star Prospects
4. Daniel Fields, SS
5. Andy Oliver, LHP
6. Alex Avila, C
7. Cody Satterwhite, RHP
8. Wilkin Ramirez, OF
9. Ryan Strieby, 1B
10. Gustavo Nunez, SS
Two-Star Prospects
11. Casper Wells, OF

Four More:
12. Alfredo Figaro, RHP: The undersized righty is a big league-ready middle reliever, but that's also his likely ceiling.
13. Melvin Mercedes, RHP: Mercedes is a teenager who is loaded with projection, but he needs plenty of refinement.
14. Cale Iorg, SS: The athletic, slick-fielding shortstop looked completely overmatched at Double-A, but he might have been rushed.
15. Brennan Boesch, OF: He’s a massive outfielder with massive power and massive holes in his swing.

1. Jacob Turner, RHP
DOB: 5/21/91
Height/Weight:6-5/210
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 1^st round, 2009, Westminster Christian Academy (MO)
2009 Stats: Did not play
Last Year’s Ranking: Not ranked

Year in Review: Seen by many as the top high school arm in the draft, Turner signed at the deadline for a $4.7 million bonus as part of a big league package.
The Good: With his size, stuff, and mechanics, Turner is almost a blueprint for what scouts look for in a high school arm. His fastball sits at 92-95 mph, but he touched 97-98 on several occasions this spring, and that could become more common as he matures. His slow, looping curveball features heavy break, and he already has good arm action on his changeup. He's highly poised and mature beyond his years.
The Bad: Turner just needs innings and experience. While the curveball is good, some would like to see a second power pitch out of him. He had occasional control issues this spring, but nothing that was uncommon for a 17-year-old.
Ephemera: Turner's pitching coach at Westminster was former Cardinals closer Todd Worrell.
Perfect World Projection: Turner certainly has an ace-level ceiling, to some comparing quite favorably to current Tigers ace Justin Verlander.
Path to the Big Leagues: How about letting him pitch one inning as a professional first?
Timetable: Turner signed too late to make his pro debut, but that shouldn't prevent him from beginning the 2010 season in Low-A.

2. Casey Crosby, LHP
DOB: 9/17/88
Height/Weight: 6-5/200
Bats/Throws: R/L
Drafted/Signed: 5^th round, 2007, Kaneland HS (IL)
2009 Stats: 2.41 ERA (104.2-70-48-117) at Low-A (24 G)
Last Year’s Ranking: 4

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22 comments have been left for this article.

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philly

(1628)

I'd like to make one small tweak to your overall format. Anybody who was not listed on last year's top 11 you simply code as "Not ranked". I'd like to see a small change where recent draft picks like Turner are listed as "Not eligible" while still keeping players like Avila and Nunez listed as "Not ranked".

I can look at the signing date and figure out who was eligible and missed the list last year, but I think it'd be nice to pick up that distinction a little bit more quickly.

Nov 24, 2009 09:41 AM