Posted on 09 March 2009
H/W: 6-4 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 1/27/87
The Detroit Tigers saw projectibility and two MLB-plus pitches when they selected the Ole Miss University hurler in the 2nd round of the '08 draft. Promptly converted to a late inning reliever, Satterwhite threw 20.2 innings at two stops earning 3 saves, a 3.92 ERA and a 13 BB/24 K ratio. Satterwhite has an explosive 95 MPH fastball with excellent late movement that moves in on the hands of RH batters. His slider has high upside with a violent two plane break, but he has had trouble commanding it at times. He has dabbled with developing a changeup, but it really hasn't taken as of yet. Satterwhite has a tall, broad frame that still has quite a bit of projectibility left, which leads some to believe that he can tack on some additional ticks to the velocity of his fastball. His inconsistent delivery and loose mechanics causes him to miss up in the zone quite a bit which makes him hittable and marginalizes his ability to induce groundball outs. This could serve as a problem at higher levels. The Tigers are quite enamored with the closer potential of 1st rounder Ryan Perry, and given Satterwhite's young age, there is still some possibility that he could be developed as a starter in the future.
2009 Projection: Satterwhite will get a nice dose of full season ball at High-A Lakeland this season. The Tigers would like to see him get better command of his off-speed stuff and would like for him to utilize his frame to throw downhill on hitters. His control numbers are the obvious things to watch, but keep an eye on his FO/GO ratio as well. If he can bump that up over 1.00 (it was 0.57 last season), he can rapidly become a dominant reliever. Relief pitching has been a thorn in the side of the Tigers for the past few seasons, but there is high hopes that the combination of Satterwhite and Ryan Perry could help this club shorten games and put more wins on the scoreboard.
Key Cody Satterwhite Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto SP #/90
- 2008 Razor Signature Series Auto #/1199
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/322
- 2008 UD USA Auto Jersey #/275
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Posted on 31 December 2008
H/W: 6-4 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 2/13/87
Hoping to finally put to rest their bullpen woes, the Detroit Tigers selected this University of Arizona closer with the 21st pick in the '08 draft. Perry has a blazing fastball that sits between 96-98 MPH and occasionally touches 100. Complimenting that pitch is a wicked slider that ranges between 85-88 MPH and has all the makings of a strikeout pitch. Perry has the perfect demeanor for a closer as he pitches aggressively, going after hitters with his two plus plus pitches. On the downside, he has a tendency to open up early in his delivery, elevating his fastball and making him surprisingly hittable at times. He surrendered 15 hits in 11.2 IP with High-A Lakeland while walking 7 hitters. Some work on his mechanics should limit his walks and help him keep the ball down in the zone.
2009 Projection: The Tigers are in a perpetual need for bullpen help which means that Perry should move quickly. Don't be surprised to see him begin the season at AA Erie with a promotion to AAA Toledo a possibility as well. While he has the potential to be a top-flight closer, he still needs to work on tightening up his mechanics and limiting his walks and hits against him. Perry reminds some scouts of a bigger, stronger version of Brandon Morrow. If these comparisons come to fruition, the Tigers will be blessed with a very good closer for many years to come.
Key Ryan Perry Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Razor Signature Edition Auto #/699
- 2008 Playoff Prime Cuts Auto #/249
- 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
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Posted on 02 December 2008
H/W: 6-5 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/27/88
Porcello's first professional season was a resounding success giving Tigers team officials a bit of relief after signing him to a $7 million MLB deal topped with a $3.5 million signing bonus. Porcello pitched the entire season at High-A Lakeland where he compiled an 8-6 record with a 2.66 ERA and an appealing 2.48 GO/FO ratio. Porcello features four MLB-quality pitches including a 92-94 MPH fastball with heavy sink and late movement. He can bump it up to the 96-97 MPH range when needed. His curve has a sharp 12-6 break and his changeup is evolving into a MLB plus pitch. What's more is that Porcello has a good idea how to use them effectively in game settings. Porcello has impeccable control, surrendering just 33 BB and 7 HR in 125 IP to advanced Florida State League hitters. His delivery is clean, balanced and technically sound which should help him to stay healthy, and his long, projectible frame shows promise of building more strength and stamina. Despite his considerable tools and attributes, it was odd to see a low strikeout rate from Porcello. He struck out just 73 hitters in 125 IP. Additionally, Porcello became quite hittable with runners on base, as his ERA jumped from 0.68 w/bases empty to 4.88 w/runners aboard. Both of these could be attested to the fact that Porcello pitched in a highly talented and advanced league at a young age. Rick Porcello is one of baseball's elite young pitchers and his future as Detroit's frontline starter will happen soon.
2009 Projection: Porcello signed a major league contract, which means that barring any unforeseen setbacks the Tigers will aggressively promote him through their system. There are several prognosticators that believe he will wear a Tigers uniform at some point in 2009. A more prudent projection would place him at AA Erie in April with a move to AAA Toledo happening at some point in the middle of the season. If all goes well, he may get some September innings with the big club and a spot in the 2010 rotation seems quite likely. Porcello's first year autographs in the 2008 Donruss Threads and Donruss Elite Extra autos are very popular on eBay right now and should grow in value as Porcello develops into the Tigers' future ace.
Key Rick Porcello Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Threads Diamond Kings Auto #/500
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/???
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Posted on 02 December 2008
H/W: 6-2 190 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/6/85
Iorg shook off some rust in '08 after spending the better part of the previous two years serving on a Mormon mission in Portugal. The Tigers challenged Iorg by placing him at High-A Lakeland where he hit .251 with 10 HR 47 RBI and 22 SB in 99 games. Iorg is a 5-tool player who should hit for a solid average and develop 15-20 HR at the major league level. Iorg has above average speed that he utilizes well on the basepaths and his quick first step gives him plus range at shortstop. Iorg is a hard worker and his major league bloodlines gives him a solid makeup and baseball IQ. The major weaknesses in Iorg's game is his lack of plate discipline which saw Iorg punch out 111 times while earning just 35 walks. Much of that may have been due to his rustiness from a long layoff, but it bears watching for 2009. The Tigers are quite high on Cale's ability to be their SS of the future.
2009 Projection: The Tigers will likely move Cale to AA Erie for the 2009 season as the everyday SS. Expect better numbers across the board from Iorg this season though the Eastern League is a difficult league for hitters. If Iorg can sharpen his plate discipline, he could wind up being a solid #2 hitter with good gap power in a MLB lineup. His 2007 Donruss Elite Extra autos are limited to just 397 copies and, at $5-6 each, are solid prognosticative values.
Key Cale Iorg Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/397
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Auto
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Posted on 24 November 2008
H/W: 6-2 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/25/88
By examining the stats, it is easy to sum up Hamilton's 2008 season. The former supplemental 1st round pick was challenged by the Tigers as he began the season at full season Low-A West Michigan where he struggled mightily with his control and confidence. Once the short season Gulf League began, Hamilton was sent there to work out his issues and he became an entirely different pitcher. Stuffwise, Hamilton has lots to be optimistic about. His fastball sits at 90-93 MPH, though it could a couple of notches as he matures and his nasty 80-82 MPH curveball is thought to be the best offspeed pitch in the entire Tigers system. Combined with an average changeup, Hamilton has the stuff to be a solid #2 pitcher down the road. His frame looks to be durable and strong enough to handle a 200 inning work load and his mechanics are said to be smooth and clean. Command of his pitches and poise are the major areas that Hamilton needs to work on in order to fulfill his potential.
2009 Projection: Hamilton will likely get another crack at full season Western Michigan in 2009. Expect him to build on his successful GCL campaign and keep an eye on his BB/K numbers. The Tigers would be best served to take their time with Hamilton, resisting the temptation to develop him at the same speed as future ace Rick Porcello. In the long run, this move could pay considerable dividends reviving values of his 2008 Donruss Threads autographs.
Key Brandon Hamilton Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2008 Donruss Threads Gold Auto #/972
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Posted on 21 November 2008
H/W: 6-4 205 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 4/4/87
From an initial glance at Maybin's 2008 totals, one would surmise that the Marlins' #1 prospect had a decent but not stellar showing. Playing nearly the entire season at AA Carolina, Maybin hit .277 with 13 HR 49 RBI and 21 SB. These numbers were sufficient enough to allow Maybin the opportunity to play an octet of September games where he blistered the ball, batting .500 with 2 RBI and 4 SB in 32 AB. Maybin is one of the most athletic prospects in baseball with a wiry strong frame that should develop plus power while keeping his plus-plus speed. Maybin has gradually improved his walk rates earning 63 last season. Defensively, Maybin can has the range, glove, and arm to be an impact player at any position. The biggest downside in his game right now is his high strikeout rates. Last season, Maybin punched out 132 times in 116 games. Much of this is due to being culpable to off-speed pitches and more polished MLB pitchers will exploit this heavily until he can make the proper adjustments. Also, Maybin's raw power (he's hit 500 ft. HR's) has yet to translate into gaudy power statistics. Some critics feel that he beats too many balls into the ground and doesn't effectively utilize the strength that he has to authoritatively drive the ball. Given that he will be just 22 at the start of the '09 season, he has ample time to develop this aspect of his game. All told, Maybin is one of the most intriguing and athletic prospects in baseball and the comparisons to great outfielders like Torii Hunter and Andre Dawson may come to fruition before Maybin reaches his full potential.
2009 Projection: Maybin's Marlins debut prompted the recent exodus of Josh Willingham. Maybin will be given every opportunity to lose the starting CF job this spring and few will think that he will not be there come opening day. Keep an eye on his BB/K rate through spring training as well as his extra base hits. If he struggles in these areas, the Fish may well send him to AAA for a brief fine tuning. Rest assured, his days as a minor leaguer are extremely limited, if not gone entirely. Maybin is a top 2009 N.L. R.O.Y. candidate.
Key Cameron Maybin Baseball Cards:
- 2005 Bowman Chrome AFLAC Redemption
- 2006 Bowman Prospects Auto
- 2006 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- 2006 Bowman Sterling Auto
- 2006 Bowman Heritage Auto
- 2007 Bowman Sterling Auto
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2009 Projection: Satterwhite will get a nice dose of full season ball at High-A Lakeland this season. The Tigers would like to see him get better command of his off-speed stuff and would like for him to utilize his frame to throw downhill on hitters. His control numbers are the obvious things to watch, but keep an eye on his FO/GO ratio as well. If he can bump that up over 1.00 (it was 0.57 last season), he can rapidly become a dominant reliever. Relief pitching has been a thorn in the side of the Tigers for the past few seasons, but there is high hopes that the combination of Satterwhite and Ryan Perry could help this club shorten games and put more wins on the scoreboard. 
