2008 Draft Arms
By Blake VandeBunte • Oct 11th, 2008 • Category: Brett Jacobson, Cody Satterwhite, Ryan Perry, Scott Green, Tyler StohrThe Major League Baseball draft occurs every year at the beginning of June. By the time the draft rolled around this past season, Dave Dombrowski and the Tigers organization realized they needed pitching depth as soon as possible. Five of the Tigers first six picks this past June were college pitchers. College pitchers obviously become Major League ready quicker than most High School picks. Given the way the bullpen for the Tigers was pretty awful down the stretch in 2008, what do you say we take a look at how those five new pitchers have since joining the organization?
- Ryan Perry: Perry is a 6′4” right handed reliever who turns 22 in February. Perry appeared in 14 games and threw 13.2 innings for Lakeland and the Tigers Rookie level club. He struck out 16 batters and walked seven. Obviously that is way too many walks but the strike outs are encouraging. Perry is strictly a relief pitcher.
- Cody Satterwhite: Satterwhite was taken in the second round of the draft. Satterwhite split time at the same levels Perry did and threw 20.2 innings over 20 appearances, all out of the bullpen. Like Perry, Satterwhite walked too many batters (13) but struck out a healthy amount (24). Satterwhite turns 22 in January and also projects as a relief pitcher.
- Scott Green: Green is a 6′7″ righty who threw 17.2 innings over 15 games with the West Michigan Whitecaps. He struck out 15 batters and allowed only 5 walks. He demonstrated another positive quality in a reliever by coughing up only one home run in his 17 innings of work. He could rise quickly to the big leagues as he turns 24 in August.
- Brett Jacobson: Jacobson joined Green in West Michigan. Jacobson turns 22 in November and is right handed. Jacobson, like many of these guys is a big fella and is listed at 6′6”. He appeared in 21 games for the Whitecaps and threw 29.2 innings. In his 29 innings he posted a strike out to walk ration of 31:5 which is just as awesome as it sounds. He didn’t surrender a single home run.
- Tyler Stohr: Stohr was picked by the Tigers in the sixth round of the draft and, after signing, reported to Lo-A Oneonta. He closed games there and picked up twelve saves in 21 games. His K/BB ratio was 24:15 which clearly needs some work. Stohr is a 22 year old righty.
There are some impressive arms here and I’m sure the Tigers are hoping that a few of them turn into solid contributors at the big league level. While it’s possible that guys like Perry and Satterwhite could get the call already next season, the Tigers would be wise to old off until they are sure these guys are ready. It’s nice to have a deep bullpen but there’s no point in rushing guys a long before they are really ready to face big league hitters.
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