Tigers' Top First Base Prospects E-mail
Written by Matt Wallace   
Friday, 29 January 2010 07:04

The following is a listing of what I believe to be the Tigers' top three first base prospects. (Ages are as of 4/1/10)

Ryan Strieby, Erie
24, 6’5”, 235, Bats: R

PA: 362
AVG: .303
OBP: .427
SLG: .565
XBH%: 42.7
K%: 21.1
BB%: 9.6
wOBA: .445

Strieby has spent the last two seasons crushing the ball and the only thing that’s been standing in his way - besides Miguel Cabrera - has been a wrist injury. It ended his 2008 season early and held him under 300 at bats in 2009. The Tigers have still definitely taken notice of what he’s done when he’s been healthy. They want him to make a go at playing left field to make use of a bat that has allowed him to put up among the best numbers in his league each of the last two seasons.

If that takes to where he’s even adequate - doubtful from what I’ve heard - he could step into a Marcus Thames-like role in Detroit. Incidentally, don’t worry too much about his being a right-handed hitter. He’s not had severe splits as a minor leaguer.

James Robbins, GCL
19, 6’0”, 225, Bats: L

PA: 39
AVG: .361
OBP: .410
SLG: .583
XBH%: 23.1
K%: 23.1
BB%: 7.7
wOBA: .462

One of the Tigers’ over slot signings, taken in the 30th round, Robbins made a big impression by homering in each of his first two professional games. That’s probably more of an interesting footnote than anything telling, though. What’s more interesting is he’s a talented player and a good athlete who also could have been drafted as a pitcher. In fact, when Bill Ferris of Detroit Tigers Weblog asked him about whether he’d been tried at other positions (because of Cabrera being a likely fixture at first) it seemed like Robbins thought he meant getting some work from the mound.

He’ll be staying in the field, though, and he seems like he might be more likely than Strieby to have a successful conversion to the outfield. That’s if the Tigers decide to go that way. There’s nothing saying the conversion has to be made. If he ever approaches the majors, it’s likely three or four years off and this offseason has illustrated anybody can be moved if the opportunity presents itself.

Juaner Aguasvivas, DSL Tigers
20, 6’3”, 226, Bats: R

PA: 286
AVG: .257
OBP: .325
SLG: .432
XBH%: 31.8
K%: 22.4
BB%: 7.7
wOBA: n/a

Aguasvivas has spent three seasons in the Dominican Summer League and last season stepped up with some big time power for the first time. His twelve homers led the league  and allowed him to clear the league average slugging percentage by over 100 points.

He’s not going to make a name for himself putting up big numbers in the Dominican, though. Stats there are notoriously deceptive and certainly not predictive of future success. He’s going to have to do it in the States and at 20, it’s going to have to come soon. He wasn’t in the Tigers’ Instructional League, but I think it’s possible he could be one of the players who makes his domestic debut in 2010.

Honorable Mention

When you’re dipping down to 20-year olds who haven’t played in the states yet for your top three prospects, you probably don’t have a lot in the way of first base prospects. I will give Rawley Bishop a mention for having a fine season last season in Oneonta (.282/.378/.439), but he was also a college senior going into the draft, was drafted in the 19th round and is already 24 years old. I wouldn’t look for him to burst onto the national prospect scene in 2010.

Position Summary

This is a position where there isn't much at the top after Ryan Strieby. The only other real prospects are years away and they're not exactly blue chips even with that in mind. The good news is they have Miguel Cabrera locked up for a long time, so a lack of depth at the minor league level isn't all that alarming.



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Comments (4)Add Comment
Glad to have found your new site!
written by BJ, January 30, 2010
Been struggling to find you since MVN folded. Looks like I've got a lot of good reading to catch up on here! Good luck with the site.
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written by stephen grosberg, January 31, 2010
Assuming Guillen at DH, The 2 open OF/DH spaces should be filled by Strieby and Clete Thomas if he shortens his swing.ALL 1B should be tried in LF including Rawley Bishop, who I rare much higher than most based on the #'s and clutch hitting I noted last year. The next hitter in the DH, who should be given a cance is Billy Nowlin, hopefully at Erie. I only include him here because he's played at IB. First base has to be discussed with OF because of Cabrera. The next step is to give the OF at Erie a GOOD look in Spring Training. Strieby and Thomas have to be pushed by Casper Wells, Andy Dirks, Brennan Boesch, and Deik Scram. If Ryan Strieby hits like I think he will, and he keeps squeezing that ball for his wrist, I would trade Cabrera IF the price is right. Dirks and Scram SHOULD be invited to Spring Training if anyone is not shaping up or gets hurt.
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written by stephen grosberg, February 02, 2010
In my opinion, Rawley Bishop should start at West Mich. based on Oneonta. If he does what he did at Oneonta until the last week or so, he should be moved to Lakeland within a month. Assuming all goes well, he could be an OF with Erie in 2011. This is the program for performers to see Sep. with the Tigers within 3 years not 4. Mike Bertram and Bryan Pounds should be on the same type of program. Any hitter who delivers RBI in 3 run or fewer difference games should be moved faster than hitters who "paper" their stats in blowouts. Rawley Bishop is 1 such hitter to move as quickly as his performance indicates. As for James Robbins, get him to LF as soon as possible unless they plan on trading Cabrera and even then Ryan Strieby comes first. My timetable for performers is Oneonta with a possible West Mich. the first year. Then you have Lakeland with Erie the second year. The third year if all goes right, you have Toledo with the Tigers in the Third year assuming you started with college ball first. High school experience is a whole new game. With 4 years of college, Rawley Bishop should have started at West Mich. Then we wouldn't have the age problem and we'd know more about his ability. Unfortunately, Wade Gaynor hasn't adjusted to wooden bats yet and the Tigers are stubborn with their high draft picks. Look at what happened with Robbie Weinhardt vs. Cody Satterwhite.
Tigers 1st base prospects
written by Sportslover88, July 07, 2010
I still like Jeff Larish
who did well last spring with the Tigers
when players were on the DL.
Larish was just named player of the week in AAA.

If someone gives Larish a shot at 1b, DH or LF
with Tigers or elsewhere by trade, I think they
might catch "lightening in a bottle".

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