Tigers purchase contracts of seven players
The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has purchased the contracts of lefthanded pitcher Kyle Lobstein, righthanded pitcher Justin Miller and first baseman Jordan Lennerton from Triple A Toledo, shortstop Eugenio Suarez and center fielder Daniel Fields from Double A Erie, and righthanded pitcher Jose Valdez and right fielder Steven Moya from Single A Lakeland.
Lobstein, 24, posted a 13-7 record, 3.27 ERA (167.2IP/61ER) and 148 strikeouts in 28 starts between Double A Erie and Triple A Toledo during the 2013 season. He limited opponents to a .264 batting average (165x624) between both levels. He was tabbed the Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Month in May after posting a 3-1 record, 2.68 ERA (37IP/11ER), two complete games and 29 strikeouts in six starts with Double A Erie during the month.
Miller, 26, split the 2013 season between Double A Frisco and Triple A Round Rock. He finished 1-0 with a 6.19 ERA (16.0IP/11ER) and 21 strikeouts with Frisco. He posted a 0-1 record, 9.82 ERA (11.0IP/12ER) and 12 strikeouts with Round Rock.
Lennerton, 27, batted .278 (143x514) with 68 runs scored, 25 doubles, a triple, 17 home runs and 57 RBI in 139 games with Triple A Toledo during the 2013 season. Lennerton earned a spot on the World Team for the Futures Game held prior to Major League Baseball's All-Star Game in New York City this season. Additionally, he was awarded a Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove at first base after posting a .996 fielding percentage in 2013. He has appeared in 13 games with Leones de Ponce in the Puerto Rico Winter League following the season, batting .348 (16x46).
Fields, 22, hit .284 (130x457) with 71 runs scored, 27 doubles, six triples, 10 home runs and 58 RBI in 118 games with Double A Erie in 2013. He ended the season ranked 10th in the Eastern League with a .284 batting average.
Suarez, 22, spent the majority of the 2013 season with Double A Erie, batting .253 (112x442) with 53 runs scored, 24 doubles, four triples, nine home runs and 45 RBI in 111 games with the club. He has seen action in four games with Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League following the season.
Moya, 22, batted .255 (93x365) with 52 runs scored, 19 doubles, five triples, 12 home runs and 55 RBI in 93 games with Single A Lakeland in 2013. He is playing in the Dominican Winter League with the Toros Del Este and has seen action in one game.
Valdez, 23, split the 2013 season between Single A West Michigan and Single A Lakeland. He posted a 1-1 record and 2.73 ERA (26.1IP/8ER) in 27 games with West Michigan last season. He finished 1-1 with a 2.74 ERA (23.0IP/7ER) in 23 games with Lakeland. He was selected to the Midwest League Midseason All-Star team. Following the season, he has appeared in four games with Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League, posting a 3.38 ERA (2.2IP/1ER) with five strikeouts.