Where Tigers' Top 30 prospects are starting season
With the 2018 season getting started, here's a look at where the Tigers' Top 30 prospects are projected to start the season:
1. Franklin Perez (MLB No. 39), RHP -- Erie SeaWolves (AA) - DL
2. Matt Manning (MLB No. 55), RHP -- West Michigan Whitecaps (A) - DL
3. Alex Faedo (MLB No. 59), RHP -- Lakeland Flying Tigers (A Adv)
4. Beau Burrows (MLB No. 78), RHP -- Erie SeaWolves (AA)
5. Jake Rogers, C -- Erie SeaWolves (AA)
6. Kyle Funkhouser, RHP -- Erie SeaWolves (AA)
7. Isaac Paredes, SS -- Lakeland Flying Tigers (A Adv)
8. Gregory Soto, LHP -- Lakeland Flying Tigers (A Adv)
9. Daz Cameron, OF -- Lakeland Flying Tigers (A Adv)
10. Christin Stewart, OF -- Toledo Mud Hens (AAA)
11. Mike Gerber, OF -- Toledo Mud Hens (AAA)
12. Dawel Lugo, 3B/SS -- Toledo Mud Hens (AAA)
13. Derek Hill, OF -- Lakeland Flying Tigers (A Adv)
14. Sam McMillan, C -- Extended spring training
15. Grayson Long, RHP -- Toledo Mud Hens (AAA)
16. Bryan Garcia, RHP -- Out for season
17. Victor Reyes, OF -- Detroit Tigers (MLB)
18. Jose Azocar, OF -- Lakeland Flying Tigers (A Adv)
19. Tyler Alexander, LHP -- Erie SeaWolves (AA)
20. Sandy Baez, RHP -- Erie SeaWolves (AA)
21. Joey Morgan, C -- West Michigan Whitecaps (A)
22. Reynaldo Rivera, 1B -- West Michigan Whitecaps (A) - DL
23. Jason Foley, RHP -- Out for season
24. Matt Hall, LHP -- Erie SeaWolves (AA)
25. Sergio Alcantara, SS -- Erie SeaWolves (AA)
26. Troy Montgomery, OF -- Erie SeaWolves (AA)
27. Jacob Robson, OF -- Erie SeaWolves (AA)
28. Gerson Moreno, RHP -- Erie SeaWolves (AA) - DL
29. Alvaro Gonzalez, SS -- Extended spring training
30. Kody Eaves, 2B/3B -- Toledo Mud Hens (AAA)
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Team to watch
An even dozen of the Tigers' Top 30 will be in Double-A Erie in 2018, once everyone is healthy. No. 1 prospect Franklin Perez is a couple of months away from getting there, but Nos. 4-6, right-handers Beau Burrows and Kyle Funkhouser will be there from the get-go, throwing to catcher Jake Rogers.
Where baseball's top prospects are starting the 2018 season
Teams on MiLB.TV
Toledo MudHens
Erie SeaWolves
West Michigan Whitecaps
New faces
After a long season at the University of Florida, Tigers 2017 first-rounder Alex Faedo didn't pitch over the summer, so the first pitch he makes for Lakeland this season will be his first official professional offering. Outfielder Victor Reyes was picked up via the Rule 5 Draft and stuck on the big league roster, though he got banged up in an outfield collision during his Major League debut. Troy Montgomery, who will play in Erie, came over via the Ian Kinsler deal with the Angels. Finally, Alvaro Gonzalez, who was No. 19 on MLB Pipeline's Top 30 international prospects list, signed for $1 million last July and will make his pro debut at some point later this summer.
On the shelf
The disabled list is pretty full of Tigers prospects currently, starting with Perez, who suffered a lat strain early in Spring Training that will keep him from joining Erie for an extended period of time. Fellow right-hander Matt Manning has a minor oblique strain, something that shouldn't keep him out of West Michigan's rotation for very long. Relievers Bryan Garcia and Jason Foley are out for the year as they work their way back from Tommy John surgery, while fellow bullpen piece Gerson Moreno is also on the DL.