2008 Lakeland Flying Tigers Review: Young Tigers That Roared

The 2008 season brought mixed results to say the least. In a season that brought rehab appearances from Zumaya, Rodney, Sheffield, Garcia and Willis Lakeland still struggled to enter the playoffs.  However even with all of the mixed results several young tigers made impressions which helped them to make my list of Top Young Tigers prospects. Listed below is my top ten list of  Lakeland Flying Tigers that earned there stripes in Lakeland and made a name for themself in the process. 
     

RHP Freddy Dolsi
Going into the season Freddy Dolsi was the anchor in the bullpen closing out games. He earned the first promotion of the season despite mediocre results in Lakeland. Increased competition brought better results and Freddy never looked back.  The development of our future Tigers right hander did not cease there though.  He quickly moved past Erie and was a delight to watch and at times was perfect in Detroit in a bullpen that struggled to say the least.  It is an understament to say that he made the most of his opportunity. Look for Freddy to improve in the off season to show he posseses the tools to crack the 25 man roster.

RHP Rick Porcello
It is only fitting to give the most obvious prospect proper respect. Coming into the season a young man of just  eightteen years of age and a resume of only high school pitching  Porcello quickly lived up to the hype that surrounds him. I quickly noticed and  respected his poise on the mound. Porcello is quick to move past and  learn from mistakes and more importantly those made by his team.  Porcello posted a 8-6 record with an ERA of just 2.66 in 125 innings of work.  His performance earned him a selection to both All-Star Teams. He used a 4seam fastball, curveball and change-up during the season and on occasion used a slider with great break. Due to his age his innings and his use of his slider were limited.  However, the Detroit Free Press reported both should increase next season.  The use of his slider will improve his low strikeout numbers which were mediocre at 72.  His WHIP was amongst the best in The Florida State League at just 1.19 and he was named to the All-Star team. Although at least another full season away from the bigs Rick Porcello has already (rightfuly so) earned Josh Beckett comparisons. Believe the hype, an Ace is in the making in 2007s 27th pick Rick Porcello.

RHP Ryan Perry
The 21st pick in the 2008 first year player draft was Ryan Perry. The  6'4 Right handed reliever may posibly join Detroit as soon as next  season in the bullpen.  While he has had success in both starting and  relieving roles look for Detroit to add him to a struggling bullpen.  Since joining the Tigers farm system in Lakeland Perry has worked 13  2/3 innings posting an ERA of 3.29  striking out 16. Perry has only  been pitching since his later years of High School but shows the necissary tools and attitude to develope and flourish in the Detroit system. 

RHP Zach Simmons
Earlier this season Detroit traded Jason Grilli. Tiger fans danced in 
the streets, sang songs, drank beer, lit fireworks and partied until the sun came 
up. While many would have excepted a case of batting practice 
baseballs or sweat socks in return. However, truth be told the Grilli trade 
brought Detroit a solid long relief prospect. This season Simmons 
logged 66 2/3 innings with an ERA of 2.43, a 6-2 record, 75 strikeouts 
and an impressive WHIP of just 1.11. At just 23 years old, look for 
Simmons to continue to continue his progress and make a name for 
himself in Detroits much depleted farm system.

Catcher James Skelton

At just 5'11 and 165lbs Skelton flew under the radar for awhile.  At spring training the other players thought he was a pitcher.  However James Skelton doesnt mind his lack of size.  In fact he uses his size and speed to his advantage.  His speed, reflexes and patientce have made him an excellent contact hitter that a threat on the basepaths. At the all star break he was batting .285 32 BB 8 of 11 in SB While last season he batted .309 55BB 18 of 23 in SB.  Skelton also lead the league for catchers with 615 putouts last season.  His recent injury to his finger has temporarily sidelined him however he is again among the league leaders for OB% and AVG in the Florida State League.  Continuing where he left of last season when he finished 2nd on base% n 5th in league in batting avg last season. Was selected for the all Star team at all levels thus far in the Minors and is by far our top solution to the catcher void we face in the future.  Skeltons work ethic is perhaps his biggest upside, Skelton never takes a play off.  He also has made a name for himself as a clutch hitter and seems to thrive on the hot seat.  Which is evident by his numbers with runners in scoring position.  As if that's not enough in both low A and high A and AA ball statisticly he has been the hardest catcher to steal bases on.  He finished the season in AA Erie on a high note in just 24 games and 85 at bats he had an on base percentage of .425, much in part to his plate discipline he drew 19 walks.  Skeltonalso hit two home runs and drove in 11 while he once again batted near .300 at .294.  Consistancy is his middle name.  Forget about Dane Sardinha and Dusty Ryan...James Skelton is our future behind the dish.

SS Cale Iorg
While Cale Iorg has been in France the last 2 years as a missionary some thought that perhaps his baseball skills would be rusty.  In his first season back he hasd 8 HR 4 tripples 33 RBIs .264 BA and 12 SB at the All Star break. Regarded as perhaps are best prospect at shortstop Cale has began to knock the rust off and sharpen his skills defensivly.  His play this season rightfully earned him an All Star invitation and a selection to the Post Season All Star Team.  Cale finished the season batting .251 with 10 homeruns and 47 RBI.  Keeping with the teme of many of our younger prospects Cale also stole 22 bases showing he has speed. Keep an eye on Cale Iorg as the 23 year old continues to develope.

Outfielder Jeramy Laster

This speedy outfielder turned more amazing plays perhaps than any 
other Flying Tiger this season. An above average throwing arm and 
great power (22 homeRuns and 64RBI ) make him interesting to say the 
least.  His average dipped from .276 in 2007 to .204 this season as 
pitchers learned his weakness of breaking balls. Think Pedro Cerano of 
Major League.... Straight ball hit very far, curveball no so much. In 
reading this you might just chalk him off as a career Minor Leaguer in 
your mind, don't be fooled though.  Nothing against Lary Herndon but 
Jeramy just needs a good hitting coach to teach him some plate 
discipline. Consider him work in progress but a definate Dark Horse 
candidate. He is still only 23years old and has far more of an upside 
to his career.

First Baseman Ryan Strieby

Ryan perhaps was this seasons biggest suprise as he belted 29 homeruns knocking in 94 RBI and scored 65 runs.  With an on base percentage pf .342 he showed that he also has a little plate discipline as well.  Defensivly he was average at best but also at 23 he has a chance to step among Jeff Larrish and Ryan Roberson as realistic first base prospects in our organization.  I look forward to following him next season to see if he posts similar numbers as the competition increases.

2B Scott Sizemore
Last season  (2007) Scott finished 4th in doubles with 33 and 5th in walks and runs scored with 78 in both categories. Striking out only once per 8.83 appearances he was the third toughest batter to strikeout earning him the title of the toughest Tiger prospect to strikeout.  While his strikeout per at bat ratio has increased to 1 per every 5 this season, SIzemore has seen increases in other statistical categories.  This season Scott was a thief on the the basepaths stealing 14 of 17 at the break. While last year he was just 16 of 26.  Sizemore is batting .286 at the All Star Break and is rated as the tigers top prospect at 2nd base.  His defensive play is amongst the best and he is considered a five tool player.  Saddly for Sizemore his season ended shortly after the All Star Break with an injury.  Sizemore is an interesting prospect to say the least and I look for him to become more of a household name next season in Erie.

RHP Jonah Nickerson

Who is Jonah Nickerson? A name that suprised Detroit scouts perhaps the most....That is Jonah Nickerson.  Quietly posting a 12-4 record withan ERA of 3.99 in 146 2/3 innings of work.  Nickerson flyed under the radar despite posting solid numbers this season.  With a WHIP of just 1.23 Jonah held batters to just 43 free passes and showed he is an inning eater and a ground ball pitcher.  Nickerson was named the Florida Sate Leagues Pitcher of the week once this season.  However,  this season earned him perhaps his biggest accomplishment thus far as he was recently named the 25th-best prospect in the Tigers organization by Baseball America.  So while you are scratching your head thinking who is Jonah Nickerson? Remember his name and keep an eye on him as he continues to develope.

So with that being said keep these youngsters on your radar.  I do not claim to be a scout or representative of Baseball America. However, as a season ticket holder down here in Sunny Florida I see several youngsters not get their proper respect.  I have seen Verlander, Granderson,Clevlen,Larish,Badenhop and Thomas all with Lakeland caps on and EVERY one of them drew little or no intrest from scouts and the press. Keep an eye on these ten as i guarentee some of them become difference makers someday.