The mailman has arrived:
Q — Great historical background on the Jobe pick (“Jackson Jobe’s grand Saturday return reflects some Draft Day history — and debate — from 2021”). Al Avila was ridiculed by most for not taking Marcelo Mayer.
Clay Tolonen
A -- Clay: That’s why I had to get deeper Sunday into all that went into the Jobe/Mayer imbroglio. Al Avila was a very good scout. Remember, also, in 2018, when there was such a chorus who wanted Jarred Kelenic over Casey Mize. Well, Kelenic was again released last week by his fifth big-league team and is probably finished. Avila and his crew took long, long looks at Mayer and, as he said, he just didn’t see enough exceptional skill to warrant a third-overall pick. Jobe, on the other hand, even if the red flags were flying around a prep pitcher, had super-stratosphere stuff and command for an 18-year-old. So, there was the basis for Detroit’s decision. No one on the Tigers side today is complaining.
Q — Are you surprised that the return on Casey Mize didn’t include two real prospects instead of just one? The other lefty, Jackson Wolf, was a throw-in for AAA depth not a real prospect. That’s why Gage Workman had to be included. I realize that we got a former number one pick (#25 pick) in the deal, but that’s not much different than the draft pick compensation we would have received without a deal.
Blair Dominiak
A — I think you’re selling a bit short the package, Blair. Primarily, Kash Mayfield is a prize — not the brand of pitcher you’d be expecting to get with a draft-compensation pick. Also, take a look at Jackson Wolf. He is one interesting cat: a 6-foot-7 lefty with one of the funkiest deliveries you’ll ever see, and pitching at Triple A, where on Sunday he had a nice stint. He theoretically could be pitching in Detroit down the stretch. But it was Mayfield who was the blue chip. Getting him, alone, for a “rental,” as it were, was a potentially huge return for the Tigers.
Q — Scott Harris didn’t, maybe couldn’t, address the overstocked Tigers infield. I guess he can wait until the offseason, but might he begin that process now by DFA’ing the players we know won’t be here in February? Or would he hold on for now if he thinks they have trade value?
Dave Roberts
A — Dave: You’ll note the Tigers cleared one infielder from their — as you note — overloaded infield by dealing Gage Workman to the Padres in their Mize swap. But you’re right, as we noted: You still have the issue with Max Anderson and Jace Jung having no place, at the moment, in a Tigers infield jam-up between Detroit and the farm’s upper levels. There will be some dealing in the months ahead. The Tigers have no choice. And teams are going to be interested in those available guys, especially when they can bring appreciable offense.
Q -- What’s going on with the parent club? The noodle bats of the first half of the season are now solid as a rock, propelling the team to the top of the league in run differential. When the team is playing like this and it has Jobe and Troy Melton looking ready to battle for ace-status, and Keider Montero and Framber Valdez pitching like a good No. 3 and 4 on any team, are the White Sox and Cleveland really very far ahead?
Also, is Eduardo Valencia the real deal? How big a liability is he behind the plate?
Robert Honeyman
A -- Hitting is sports’ eternal mystery and challenge. I don’t know how these guys do it, Robert. Lots of us played long enough as kids and teens to appreciate how extraordinary are hitting talents on this level. But it’s still elusive, even for the better of them, which was on display through the Tigers’ first couple of months. Some innate talents have taken over the past month or two. We had expected to see some of these guys hitting earlier (Colt Keith a prime example). As for the Guardians, White Sox, and Twins — you can debate who’s got the brighter personnel future. The Tigers are right there. But they still, in my firm opinion, needed a personnel injection, particularly on the pitching end. I think they got potentially vital long-term help. As for Valencia, you saw with that throw Sunday at San Francisco why there will be rocky moments. But the Tigers like the tradeoff they’re getting on offense.
Q -- Objectively, is there a MLB roster spot in Peyton Graham’s future with the Tigers? Could he be the solution to the never-ending third base abyss?
Jan Warner
A -- There’s the question a front office is asking, as well, Jan. I believe the answer is pretty firmly “yes” — today — as far as Graham. Not sure third base will be his option, at least immediately, when the Tigers probably will want a guy who can play an effective shortstop to stick there. This whole Tigers infield puzzle is comprised of interesting parts — some very good, some adequate, some in question.
You’ve got to figure out in coming seasons how to deploy McGonigle, Keith, Hao-Yu Lee, Max Anderson, Jace Jung, Graham (John Peck is hurt), and a younger tier that will bring into the picture Bryce Rainer, Jordan Yost, and Angel De Los Santos, if not others. Then there’s the question of first base, with Josue Briceno and Eduardo Valencia as possibilities in addition to their catching credentials. It’s a nice situation to have, if you’re the Tigers. They still need people to break from the pack at all positions.
As for your initial question: I think Graham will be playing at least some shortstop in Detroit by next season (with the usual qualifier: If there’s a next season).
Q -- Did I miss Reese Olson as an option for 2027? Is there concern about his long-term health?
Ben Eason
A -- Ben: Reese Olson should be included. The only reticence is that he has had a shoulder procedure and those situations can differ from conventional Tommy John recoveries. But until there is medical information that would draw doubts about a full recovery, we should include him as part of 2027’s outlook — as much as we can count on a 2027 season.
Q -- Why doesn’t someone like Tigers prospect Manuel Bolivar get more buzz and mention among Tigers Prospect Lists. He plays a premium position, was a highly ranked international free agent and is among the DSL leaders in many offensive categories. MLB Pipeline, ESPN, Baseball America, and TMLR all have him unranked. Is he not expected to have a chance to be an everyday player as he climbs the minor league ranks? I feel if he was a Dodger, Red Sox, or Yankees prospect, he would be higher rated. Does he have defensive skills to stick at catcher, and what other challenges besides language barriers do international catching prospects face?
Michael Daenzer
A – You’re onto Bolivar, Michael. He’s been terrific in the Dominican Summer League: .347/.468/.613/1.081, with seven homers and 10 doubles in 40 games. The Tigers signed him in January for $2.3 million -- one of the highest bonuses they’ve ever offered a Latin teen. He is 17 -- and there, primarily, is the reason you haven’t heard a great deal about a right-hand hitting catcher, who is 6-2, 210. The focus tends during any season to be on prospects States-side. Also, pitching in the DSL can be all over the map. But the Tigers knew what they were investing in when they handed that kind of cash to Bolivar, who’s from Lecheria, Venezuela. Stay tuned. He’s a fit, so far, behind the plate. And he can really swing a bat.
As for challenges, beginning with language: That’s great sensitivity on your part. It’s why English classes are included in players’ preparation almost from the moment they’re signed. It’s a shame it’s always incumbent on the young prospect, who’s already in for culture shock moving to professional baseball, to absorb language challenges, as well. Why aren’t Americans more conversant in Spanish? It would be of mutual benefit to have more emphasis there. But you’re right: language is a toughie for a teen who’s also leaving home for full immersion into professional baseball life.
Q — GM in baseball has to be the toughest of the big-four pro sports. We all played as kids, or beyond, and thus we know better. And sports radio, having devolved to sound bites and Twitter blasts, is a perfect platform for “we know better”.
Bob Berry
A — Interesting, Bob: I know that being a GM in any professional sport is basically a 24/7 job. The amount of depth within a baseball organization, given the minor leagues as well as the MLB roster, is particularly taxing. It’s a life of unending conversation, research, evaluating, and thinking. I’ve always appreciated how a man such as Dave Dombrowski has made it work for 40 years. And still have a marriage and a family! I could point to plenty of examples there, including Al Avila, or predecessors like Randy Smith. Across all of baseball there are examples — many. They all have my respect for somehow being able to maintain a relative balance of the professional and personal.
Q -- I’ve never felt more connected to baseball and the Tigers in my life. Thank you for these pieces.
Charles D’Amico
A -- Charles: You, sir, make a man’s day. Thank you. It’s gratifying uncovering info about baseball players, teams, and the sport at-large. Same as football, basketball, hockey, golf, you name it. But you can get beneath the skin of baseball a bit more substantively than perhaps is the case with other sports, at least in the context in which I work. Much appreciate your words.
Thanks, as always, to all for a flood of excellent questions and thoughts.
Email: lhenning@tigersintelligencereport.com
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