Here's where the Tigers Top 30 prospects are starting '22

With the Minor League season opening this week, here's where the Tigers’ Top 30 prospects are projected to start:

1) Spencer Torkelson (MLB No. 4), 1B -- Detroit (MLB)
2) Riley Greene (MLB No. 5), OF -- Injured (fractured right foot)
3) Jackson Jobe (MLB No. 40), RHP -- Extended spring training/Lakeland (Single-A)
4) Dillon Dingler, C -- Erie (Double-A)
5) Cristian Santana, SS -- Lakeland (Single-A)
6) Ty Madden, RHP -- West Michigan (High-A)
7) Ryan Kreidler, SS -- Toledo (Triple-A)
8) Izaac Pacheco, SS -- Lakeland (Single-A)
9) Dylan Smith, RHP -- West Michigan (High-A)
10) Roberto Campos, OF -- Lakeland (Single-A)
11) Gage Workman, SS -- Erie (Double-A)
12) Joey Wentz, LHP -- Toledo (Triple-A)
13) Colt Keith, 3B -- West Michigan (High-A)
14) Manuel Sequera, SS -- Lakeland (Single-A)
15) Wilmer Flores, RHP -- West Michigan (High-A)
16) Alex Faedo, RHP -- Lakeland (Single-A)
17) Reese Olson, RHP -- Erie (Double-A)
18) Kody Clemens, INF -- Toledo (Triple-A)
19) Jason Foley, RHP -- Detroit (MLB)
20) Parker Meadows, OF -- West Michigan (High-A)
21) Jose de la Cruz, OF -- Lakeland (Single-A)
22) Daniel Cabrera, OF -- Erie (Double-A)
23) Beau Brieske, RHP -- Toledo (Triple-A)
24) Abel Bastidas, SS -- Extended spring training
25) Tanner Kohlhepp, RHP -- Injured (forearm)
26) Andre Lipcius, 3B -- Erie (Double-A)
27) Garrett Hill, RHP -- Erie (Double-A)
28) Angel De Jesus, RHP -- Toledo (Triple-A)
29) Keider Montero, RHP -- West Michigan (High-A)
30) Austin Bergner, RHP -- Erie (Double-A)

Team to watch
It’s too easy to say the Major League team, considering Spencer Torkelson is already there and Riley Greene will follow when healthy. Instead, move down a few pegs to High-A West Michigan. The Whitecaps' rotation will be led by prominent 2021 picks Ty Madden (32nd overall) and Dylan Smith (third round) -- both of whom will make his professional debut after not pitching in the Minors last year. Colt Keith provides the lineup with some thump, and this will be where to find Parker Meadows, brother of the recently acquired Austin Meadows.

Teams on MiLB.TV
Triple-A Toledo
Double-A Erie
High-A West Michigan

New faces
The Tigers have high hopes for 2021 third overall pick Jackson Jobe entering his first full season, thanks to a four-pitch mix that is highlighted by a 92-94 mph fastball and a near plus-plus slider. Jobe had his spring slowed slightly by the flu, but he will join Single-A Lakeland when he is given the green light.

On the shelf
Greene’s foot fracture was unfortunate in many ways. Most prominent was the fact that it seemed like he was putting himself in place to open 2022 in the Major Leagues after hitting .301/.387/.534 with 24 homers at Double-A and Triple-A a season ago. The Tigers will re-evaluate him in a few weeks to see how much time he might need to miss. Early indications make late May look like a possible return date. Right-hander Tanner Kohlhepp, the club’s fifth-round pick last year, will also miss the start of the season with a right forearm injury. After initial MRIs showed no damage to the his elbow, the Tigers are hopeful he can pitch in the first half of the 2022 season.