Sleepers: Detroit Tigers
By Adam Forsyth
The Shallow
Edwin Jackson – Starting Pitcher
If you took the chance to read the Tampa Bay Rays “Shallow and Deep” article, you know that I was not a fan of the Matt Joyce for Edwin Jackson deal. Not that it has anything to do with the skills that Mr. Jackson brings to the table, as I feel he is a great number three or four arm in a Tigers rotation with huge question marks. It’s just that I feel the ceiling for Matt Joyce is much higher than that of Edwin Jackson, even though Detroit has more issues with their rotation and bullpen, they could probably use a Matt Joyce in their line-up and on the field, more than Jackson starting every fifth day. Hopefully for Tigers fans, I will be proven wrong in the upcoming season.
We can delve into the stats that Jackson has put up thus far: a 25-30 record in 77 career starts, 5.15 ERA, 6.13K/9IP, (teamed with a measly 1.36K/BB ratio) very hittable as displayed by a very high 1.63 career WHIP and a career .287 BAA. Why then is Edwin Jackson an intriguing sleeper pick you may ask? Well, Edwin Jackson is a very dominant pitcher when he is on his game and is locating his pitches. He has a mid 90’s fastball with good movement, and compliments that pitch well with a change-up, mixing his speeds. He also has an above average slider in his arsenal.
He dominated the minor leagues up to the AAA level, and still at only 25-years old, has the opportunity to come through on his ballooned expectations. We know that he has the stuff, because prior to his major league career, an interesting point about his success was his ability to pitch against left-handed batters. His command and ability to challenge led to nothing but headaches for most lefties who stepped in the box against him. That has changed dramatically against professional hitters, as the West German born right-hander has struggled mightily in more recent years against lefties. It’s a matter of control and confidence. Hopefully new Tigers’ pitching coach, Rick Knapp, can work with him, have him meet his potential and exceed everyone’s expectations. That is, with the exception of Edwin Jackson’s expectations.
The Deep
Rick Porcello – Starting Pitcher
Still not legally able to buy a drink in the United States, Porcello, at the tender age of 20, is making lots of noise, and a serious case for the fifth starters spot in the Tigers rotation. With Dontrelle Willis pitching his way out of contention, and Zach Minor fitting more in a long relief role, it’s basically down to “The Kid”, and “The Bulldog” Nate Robertson.
Robertson has done a nice job in redeeming his spring, lowering his ERA to a very respectable 3.09, and appears to be the leading candidate. It is probably due justice, as some say that Porcello may not be ready yet for such a jump, with only 125 innings removed from Seton Hall Prep High School, but many, including me, tend to disagree. If the hard-throwing righty looks ready for such exposure, then send him up. It’s not throwing him to the wolves if he has a hefty supply of meat to feed them. Is it?
His stuff? Electric. Porcello has a powerful fastball with 90-95 mph range, and the ability to kick it up if necessary. That goes along with a dynamic mid 70’s looping curve that has pundits in awe of his ability to throw as hard as he does and have such control with a delicate pitch like that. He has a pair of other major league ready pitches in his arsenal with an above average slider, and a change-up that basically is what separates him from many other pitching prospects. His slider is a pitch that, with slight tweaks, could be a filthy go-to pitch, especially against lefties. The change-up is masked by his arm angle, and has a late break to it that impresses everyone in the park, minus the confused batter who thought the count would continue with an added ball.
Porcello has the mechanics of a big-time pitcher, and has many considering him the next Roy Halladay, which isn’t bad company in any way. Hopefully the hype-machine doesn’t get to this kids' head prior to a sparkling career. Porcello is the pure number-one rotation guy that teams dream of landing. Watch for him at some point in 2009, and expect him to be a go-to-guy in 2010.
