DETROIT TIGERS
Rotation
1. RHP Justin Verlander - A true ace starter now in the prime of his career. Putting up elite stats 4 out of the last 5 seasons, he's a very high pick for your rotation. I'm so sure his numbers will not only continue but get better, I'd recommend selecting at the back of round 1. I know this is against the commonly accepted strategy of not drafting starters high (which I don't agree with) but I believe there are at most 10 starters in baseball that will yield the confidence to send out there every day and get consistent results and he's near the top of the whole heap. He'll give you star numbers across the board.
2. RHP Max Scherzer - After two years of unfulfilled promise, Scherzer finally started showing something last year. After a very poor start and getting sent down to the minors, he blazed through the second half with a 2.45 ERA along with his usual strikeout skills. With the tools required to be successful as an ace, he seems to finally have the momentum to reach the top levels in MLB. His drawbacks still include bouts of wildness and coming apart after something bad happens early in an inning. At 26 now, his win ability should increase and his K rate will remain high. ERA & WHIP will still probably be at the mercy of his control but 2011 could be result in quite a jump ahead. Anywhere from a low #2 to a high #3 starter.
3. RHP Rick Porcello - After making a splash as a 2009 rookie, there was a step backward in 2010. He won't give you big K numbers and his ERA and WHIP will probably remain too high but he has the presence to hang around in games to pick up a win. I wouldn't hold a roster spot on my team but if you're in desperate need of a last starter, perhaps Porcello would be OK.
4. LHP Phil Coke - Converted to a starter from the pen, early spring results have been promising (2.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP & 6K in 9 IP). He certainly put together a solid 2010 in the bullpen. Not knowing for sure what 2011 will show, I'll guess perhaps double digit wins but an average ERA and WHIP. His spring K rate is indicative of his career numbers. I'd take a wait and see approach.
5. RHP Brad Penny - The very well traveled vet is now closing in on 33. Asked to anchor the back part of a team's rotation for the last few years, he's not a strikeout pitcher anymore & won't garner enough wins to be worthy of a fantasy roster spot. He's risen from the deck on occasion to post decent stats for short periods recently and that could happen at some point in 2011 as well. More likely, a young Tiger prospect will be manning this spot come June.
2. RHP Max Scherzer - After two years of unfulfilled promise, Scherzer finally started showing something last year. After a very poor start and getting sent down to the minors, he blazed through the second half with a 2.45 ERA along with his usual strikeout skills. With the tools required to be successful as an ace, he seems to finally have the momentum to reach the top levels in MLB. His drawbacks still include bouts of wildness and coming apart after something bad happens early in an inning. At 26 now, his win ability should increase and his K rate will remain high. ERA & WHIP will still probably be at the mercy of his control but 2011 could be result in quite a jump ahead. Anywhere from a low #2 to a high #3 starter.
3. RHP Rick Porcello - After making a splash as a 2009 rookie, there was a step backward in 2010. He won't give you big K numbers and his ERA and WHIP will probably remain too high but he has the presence to hang around in games to pick up a win. I wouldn't hold a roster spot on my team but if you're in desperate need of a last starter, perhaps Porcello would be OK.
4. LHP Phil Coke - Converted to a starter from the pen, early spring results have been promising (2.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP & 6K in 9 IP). He certainly put together a solid 2010 in the bullpen. Not knowing for sure what 2011 will show, I'll guess perhaps double digit wins but an average ERA and WHIP. His spring K rate is indicative of his career numbers. I'd take a wait and see approach.
5. RHP Brad Penny - The very well traveled vet is now closing in on 33. Asked to anchor the back part of a team's rotation for the last few years, he's not a strikeout pitcher anymore & won't garner enough wins to be worthy of a fantasy roster spot. He's risen from the deck on occasion to post decent stats for short periods recently and that could happen at some point in 2011 as well. More likely, a young Tiger prospect will be manning this spot come June.
Closer
RHP Jose Valverde - There's an awful lot to like here and I think the opportunities for saves, thanks to the bullpen and a rotation that will keep Detroit in most games this year, will be plentiful. Injuries the past few years, closing in on 33 & occasional bouts of wildness are the only concerns. I don't think age is a concern just yet as he has been his usual dominating self this spring. His career numbers are consistently solid from year to year and he's a #1 closer. A safe pick to anchor closing staff.
Lineup
1. CF Austin Jackson - Despite leading the AL in Ks, Jackson's offensive numbers were fairly impressive for a rookie. The only warning flag is a very good BABIP average that likely won't continue. If he can cut down on chasing bad pitches and be more aggressive on the base paths, Jackson should develop into a roster worthy fantasy outfielder. I need to see improvement 1st so for now I can't rate him higher than a last outfielder on your team's roster.
2. 2B Will Rhymes/Scott Sizemore - With Carlos Guillen an unknown quantity for opening day following knee surgery, this could possibly be a platoon situation for a while. Rhymes had some success in 2010 with a high BA but has no power, has trouble scoring runs and can't steal bases. Sizemore was the heralded rookie last year but was sent down after a disappointing start. To me, he has much more of an upside than Rhymes but again is not hitting this spring. The Tigers probably want Guillen to man this position (and we've also heard rumors Raburn may also be tried here) in 2011 but when that will be, how much he'll be able to play and what results he'll produce are unknown at this point.
3. RF Magglio Ordonez - At 37 his once prodigious power is all but gone hitting 9 & 12 HRs the last 2 years. RBIs and runs scored also are on the decline but he is able to maintain and .300+ average. I'd like to believe a resurgence is possible but just don't see it happening. Maybe worth a final roster spot but that's it.
4. 1B Miguel Cabrera - Based solely on ability, he's a 1st round selection as one of baseball's best hitters entering his prime years. His problems with alcohol and weight maintenance are not only well documented but at some point will become part of the equation on the field. He's off to a slow start this spring but I'm more than willing to roll the dice for the kind of offensive production he can deliver.
5. DH Victor Martinez - He might spell Avila behind the plate for a few games this year and should still be eligible at catcher in 2011 which will enhance his value. Make no mistake though, he's been brought on board to hit and he can still do that. Should deliver very good production and BA numbers behind Cabrera this year and still a top pick at #1 catcher if eligible.
6. LF Ryan Raburn - A strong 2010 finish beginning as a part time player, he was rewarded with a starting spot for this year. If he continues the promise shown, that would project as some top of the line stats over a full season. He's been ripping the ball this spring at a .333 pace with evident power. A 25 HR, 90 RBI season with a .300 BA is a distinct possibility. He could certainly be slated as a good 3rd fantasy outfielder candidate and bring solid returns.
7. SS Jhonny Peralta - Though he experienced a bit of a power surge after joining the Tigers last year, we've seen enough over the years to guesstimate what he'll give you: decent power numbers with severe up & down streaks and a BA around .250. You might acquire him during one of those plus streaks but he doesn't carry enough to warrant an opening day fantasy roster spot.
8. 3B Brandon Inge - Fluctuating years in HR power from the low teens to 27, his history also shows a career .237 BA. He'll produce decent RBI numbers and runs scored. Not draftable but you could pick him up at the beginning of a patented hot streak similar to Peralta during the year.
9. C Alex Avila - Finally given a chance to become a regular starter in 2011 could bring some surprising results. I believe his hitting ability could produce an average near .300 with better power numbers than most catchers. He's had a good spring hitting .357 and I think this might be indicative of what is possible this year. Certainly draftable as a 2nd catcher and I'd go so far as to grab him as a #1 catcher if you waited too long to draft one earlier.
2. 2B Will Rhymes/Scott Sizemore - With Carlos Guillen an unknown quantity for opening day following knee surgery, this could possibly be a platoon situation for a while. Rhymes had some success in 2010 with a high BA but has no power, has trouble scoring runs and can't steal bases. Sizemore was the heralded rookie last year but was sent down after a disappointing start. To me, he has much more of an upside than Rhymes but again is not hitting this spring. The Tigers probably want Guillen to man this position (and we've also heard rumors Raburn may also be tried here) in 2011 but when that will be, how much he'll be able to play and what results he'll produce are unknown at this point.
3. RF Magglio Ordonez - At 37 his once prodigious power is all but gone hitting 9 & 12 HRs the last 2 years. RBIs and runs scored also are on the decline but he is able to maintain and .300+ average. I'd like to believe a resurgence is possible but just don't see it happening. Maybe worth a final roster spot but that's it.
4. 1B Miguel Cabrera - Based solely on ability, he's a 1st round selection as one of baseball's best hitters entering his prime years. His problems with alcohol and weight maintenance are not only well documented but at some point will become part of the equation on the field. He's off to a slow start this spring but I'm more than willing to roll the dice for the kind of offensive production he can deliver.
5. DH Victor Martinez - He might spell Avila behind the plate for a few games this year and should still be eligible at catcher in 2011 which will enhance his value. Make no mistake though, he's been brought on board to hit and he can still do that. Should deliver very good production and BA numbers behind Cabrera this year and still a top pick at #1 catcher if eligible.
6. LF Ryan Raburn - A strong 2010 finish beginning as a part time player, he was rewarded with a starting spot for this year. If he continues the promise shown, that would project as some top of the line stats over a full season. He's been ripping the ball this spring at a .333 pace with evident power. A 25 HR, 90 RBI season with a .300 BA is a distinct possibility. He could certainly be slated as a good 3rd fantasy outfielder candidate and bring solid returns.
7. SS Jhonny Peralta - Though he experienced a bit of a power surge after joining the Tigers last year, we've seen enough over the years to guesstimate what he'll give you: decent power numbers with severe up & down streaks and a BA around .250. You might acquire him during one of those plus streaks but he doesn't carry enough to warrant an opening day fantasy roster spot.
8. 3B Brandon Inge - Fluctuating years in HR power from the low teens to 27, his history also shows a career .237 BA. He'll produce decent RBI numbers and runs scored. Not draftable but you could pick him up at the beginning of a patented hot streak similar to Peralta during the year.
9. C Alex Avila - Finally given a chance to become a regular starter in 2011 could bring some surprising results. I believe his hitting ability could produce an average near .300 with better power numbers than most catchers. He's had a good spring hitting .357 and I think this might be indicative of what is possible this year. Certainly draftable as a 2nd catcher and I'd go so far as to grab him as a #1 catcher if you waited too long to draft one earlier.
Possibilities
RHP Jacob Turner - Past the 1st spots in the Tiger rotation, it is far from solid. Turner is an imposing figure on the mound. He's been strong in 6 spring innings. With the tools he has, it is very likely he'll be one of the 1st call ups if the back end of the Detroit rotation falters. I'd watch the situation closely as he could find his to the Tigers by June in a starting role.
LHP Andy Oliver - Along the same fast track as Turner, Oliver has been equally if not more so impressive this spring. Given the fact that Oliver is probably ahead of Turner in development, he's probably more likely to be called up 1st. His brief stint with the Tigers in 2010 was not good but his mid 90s fastball and MLB ready change up translates into the ability to get hitters out with regularity. I see both him and Turner as mainstays in the Detroit rotation in a few years.
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