I would figure that if Avisail Garcia ends up at least as an average starter that he would out value whatever Rondon would give the Tigers. As Marc stated on Rondon, that walk rate is bad and his slider need refinement; he may not even be ready for a major league role if he can’t improve, much less higher leverage situations. With that big fastball he will get plenty of chances.
I understand Dombrowski is not shy about aggressively promoting pitchers and that he has said Rondon could be used as the closer next year, but for some reason I get the feeling that statement was made to gain leverage againt free agent relievers ( Rafael Soriano). I was just stating how much work I still feel Rondon has to do.
One thing I know for sure is that the Tigers really do love Rondon. I expect that his introduction to the Majors will be a bit bumpy, but I think his control issues are a bit overblown, and he took a major step forward in that area this year.
It also seems like a lot of prospect evaluators fail to mention that his fastball, in addition to sitting at about 98, has a TON of movement. He’s gonna be absolute murder on right-handed hitters. I’ve also read that he actually has a promising changeup in addition to his slider, but both pitches are inconsistent. I think the Tigers will give him every chance to win the closer role, but if he doesn’t they can fall back on Benoit/Dotel/Coke/Alburquerque. No need to give up a draft pick to sign Soriano.
I’m a Tigers fan and I would say that they would be at a minimum 28th. It’s hard to find more than 2 teams that are worse than they are. But with that said, it’s not like they are bad just due to bad drafting, atleast they are bad due to trades and FA signings. THey haven’t had a 1st round pick since 2009 due to FA signings, and in the past few years they have used prospects to trade for Doug Fister, Annibal Sanchez, Omar Infante, and Jhonny Peralta. And before that they used prospects to trade for Miguel Cabrera. So even though their system sucks atleast they can say it is for a reason other than just bad drafting or being cheap.
Last year, BA had the White Sox’s best prospect as Addison Reed, who was considered a better prospect then than Rondon is now. The Sox were ranked 30th. Can’t see this system being outside the bottom 5
Kobernus was a nice Rule 5 pick up and there is talk he will be carried as the new Don Kelly. I think Rondon does have a special arm but he has a challenge in making the team let alone closing. But I would rather see them go with closer by committee than throw away a #1 for Soriano. If they were going to make another big move I’d make it Justin Upton or Elvis Andrus.
I couldn’t disagree with you more, Tim. The Tigers have spent a lot of money and assembled a quality team. But none of that means anything if you don’t have a guy to close out games. Rondon may be great down the road, but probably not this year. I don’t see the BP by committee being a great option, either.
*none of that means anything if you don’t have a guy to close out games* is how relievers get overvalued and overpaid. the tigers have guys who can close, on their roster right now.
the mystical *real* closer…career, consistant closers…are incredibly rare. but lots and lots and lots of guys have had perfectly good, or even very good, seasons as a closer…
Redesign Ray is Butthurt says:
December 28, 2012 at 11:17 am
Surprised Collins is as high as 7. Hoping Thompson works out!
Grand Admiral Braun says:
December 28, 2012 at 11:28 am
Marc, where does Detroit fall in? 20-25? 25-30? When a reliever is the 2nd best prospect in the system, I don’t like the depth of those cupboards.
Atari says:
December 28, 2012 at 12:53 pm
I would figure that if Avisail Garcia ends up at least as an average starter that he would out value whatever Rondon would give the Tigers. As Marc stated on Rondon, that walk rate is bad and his slider need refinement; he may not even be ready for a major league role if he can’t improve, much less higher leverage situations. With that big fastball he will get plenty of chances.
Atari says:
December 28, 2012 at 1:08 pm
I understand Dombrowski is not shy about aggressively promoting pitchers and that he has said Rondon could be used as the closer next year, but for some reason I get the feeling that statement was made to gain leverage againt free agent relievers ( Rafael Soriano). I was just stating how much work I still feel Rondon has to do.
Chris says:
December 28, 2012 at 2:06 pm
One thing I know for sure is that the Tigers really do love Rondon. I expect that his introduction to the Majors will be a bit bumpy, but I think his control issues are a bit overblown, and he took a major step forward in that area this year.
It also seems like a lot of prospect evaluators fail to mention that his fastball, in addition to sitting at about 98, has a TON of movement. He’s gonna be absolute murder on right-handed hitters. I’ve also read that he actually has a promising changeup in addition to his slider, but both pitches are inconsistent. I think the Tigers will give him every chance to win the closer role, but if he doesn’t they can fall back on Benoit/Dotel/Coke/Alburquerque. No need to give up a draft pick to sign Soriano.
Matt C says:
December 28, 2012 at 6:13 pm
I’m a Tigers fan and I would say that they would be at a minimum 28th. It’s hard to find more than 2 teams that are worse than they are. But with that said, it’s not like they are bad just due to bad drafting, atleast they are bad due to trades and FA signings. THey haven’t had a 1st round pick since 2009 due to FA signings, and in the past few years they have used prospects to trade for Doug Fister, Annibal Sanchez, Omar Infante, and Jhonny Peralta. And before that they used prospects to trade for Miguel Cabrera. So even though their system sucks atleast they can say it is for a reason other than just bad drafting or being cheap.
Josh Lank says:
December 28, 2012 at 11:12 pm
Don’t forget Villareal! That bullpen is going to be good.
Samuel Deduno says:
December 28, 2012 at 11:21 pm
I see some Henry Rodriguez in Rondon. Despite top of the chart stuff, control/command really are separates.
Samuel Deduno says:
December 28, 2012 at 11:23 pm
Last year, BA had the White Sox’s best prospect as Addison Reed, who was considered a better prospect then than Rondon is now. The Sox were ranked 30th. Can’t see this system being outside the bottom 5
J says:
December 29, 2012 at 11:15 am
Rondon is not the Tigers’ top prospect and there’s basically an ocean between him and Castellanos in terms of prospect value.
Not disagreeing with your conclusion that the Tigers system is bottom five though.
Tim D says:
December 29, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Kobernus was a nice Rule 5 pick up and there is talk he will be carried as the new Don Kelly. I think Rondon does have a special arm but he has a challenge in making the team let alone closing. But I would rather see them go with closer by committee than throw away a #1 for Soriano. If they were going to make another big move I’d make it Justin Upton or Elvis Andrus.
Scott Daniel says:
January 5, 2013 at 12:25 pm
I couldn’t disagree with you more, Tim. The Tigers have spent a lot of money and assembled a quality team. But none of that means anything if you don’t have a guy to close out games. Rondon may be great down the road, but probably not this year. I don’t see the BP by committee being a great option, either.
deafdumbandblindkid says:
January 22, 2013 at 12:46 pm
*none of that means anything if you don’t have a guy to close out games* is how relievers get overvalued and overpaid. the tigers have guys who can close, on their roster right now.
the mystical *real* closer…career, consistant closers…are incredibly rare. but lots and lots and lots of guys have had perfectly good, or even very good, seasons as a closer…
tablejumper says:
January 25, 2013 at 11:10 pm
Brenny Paulino … Any thoughts?