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Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila met Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal and Isaac Paredes for the first time as MLB players on Sunday on a plane to Chicago.
This was when director Ron Gardenhire also got his first look.
“They are excited,” Avila said. “But just their reaction to us on the plane, just like what (VP of Player Development Dave) Littlefield described when he called them, very calm, cool and collective, and very professional. of their behavior. “
[ Detroit Tigers call up Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal for MLB debuts ]
Paredes, a third baseman, will be the first to make his debut, as Avila hinted that Gardenhire will start him on Monday against the White Sox at the guaranteed rate field. It will be followed by the departure of left-hander Skubal on the mound on Tuesday and the exit of right-hander Mize on Wednesday.
Detroit’s rotation now includes Mize, Skubal, left-hander Matthew Boyd, and right-hangers Spencer Turnbull and Michael Fulmer. Avila said Fulmer, recovering from Tommy John’s surgery, could start going further than three innings if his pitch count allows it.
The Tigers (9-10) have lost five straight games.
“There’s a lot that happened in there,” Avila said. “No. 1 obviously we have the greatest need right now, but more importantly we felt both pitchers were up to pitch right now.”
[ Detroit Tigers call up top prospects and fans finally have reason to be excited ]
Avila wants Mize, Skubal and Paredes to stay in Detroit for the remainder of the 2020 season, unless their performance indicates they must return to the reserve squad at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, where they have been since. the rupture of the summer camp at the end of July.
“When we raise these guys, we want them to stay,” Avila said. “So we’ll see how it works.”
Here’s a look at each prospect:
RHP Casey Mize
Age: 23.
Statistics 2019: 8-3, 21 games, 109 innings pitched, 2.55 ERA, 0.942 WHIP, 106 strikeouts, 23 steps between High-A and Double-A.
Organization ranking: No. 2.
Acquired: 2018 Draft (first round, No. 1 overall).
As the first pick from two years ago, Mize is the expected cornerstone of the franchise.
Because spring training was cut short due to COVID-19, which put baseball on hold for nearly four months, the Tigers didn’t want to push Mize too much. He was selected for the start of the season to increase his number of shots, extend his innings and develop his selection of shots.
[ Jim Leyland, Justin Verlander and a blueprint for Tigers calling up Casey Mize ]
At summer camp, he knocked out Miguel Cabrera (and many others) on three fields and garnered rave reviews at every turn in the organization.
Avila wouldn’t say if he was considering bringing in Mize sooner, but he realized he needed him after he started playing unsightly performances from Boyd (10.24 ERA), Fulmer (7.56 ERA). ), right-hander Ivan Nova (8.53 ERA) and the opening roles of relievers Tyler Alexander, Rony Garcia and Daniel Norris.
“We went through the players and pitchers that we had at the big league level, trying to see what they could do at this point,” Avila said. “Due, of course, to certain circumstances and the extra month of work these guys put in, I would say they’re more ready now than they were several weeks ago. It’s a good time.”
Slide Skubal
Age: 23.
Statistics 2019: 6-8, 24 G, 122⅔ IP, 3.08 ERA, 1.011 WHIP, 179 K, 37 BB between High-A and Double-A.
Organization ranking: No. 5.
Acquired: 2018 Draft (ninth round, No. 255 overall).
Because Skubal missed summer camp with a positive COVID-19 test, the Tigers hadn’t seen him throw much live between an abbreviated spring training and arriving in Toledo.
The best-case scenario, Avila said, would have been to give him more time with the reserve team to increase his pitching count.
[ Tigers prospect Tarik Skubal reveals his fight vs. COVID-19: ‘It did get scary’ ]
But based on Nova’s recent injury, combined with reports on Skubal from the alternative training site, Avila needed him now.
“In terms of his overall health and things in general – control and command – he’s been perfect,” Avila said. “Obviously we would have liked to have had him extended more innings at this point, and that’s the one thing we ran into a little short (on).”
Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson will be keeping a closer eye on Skubal, helping him get through his first two starts before he can let go. Avila is confident that Skubal and Mize will find success in MLB no matter what respective paths they have taken.
“While they would have preferred to be here, they carried out their activities (in Toledo) in the right way as far as preparation is concerned,” said Avila. “They got ready for their pens, they got ready for their outings there. Sometimes they get cut off because of the weather, (but) they go there and keep following what they have to work on.”
Isaac paredes
Age: 21.
Statistics 2019: 127 G, .282 BA, .368 OBP, .416 SLG, 13 HR, 66 RBI, 61 SO, 57 BB in Double-A.
Organization ranking: Number 6.
Acquired: 2017, Chicago Cubs.
The Tigers needed Paredes because of his offensive abilities, forcing his field colleague Dawel Lugo to be nominated for an assignment. With first baseman CJ Cron (four homers, eight RBI in 13 games) with season-ending knee surgery, the team lost their best hitter in the daily roster.
Paredes’ job is to help fill the void, as typical third baseman Jeimer Candelario continues to play at first base. Paredes is expected to shoot at third base with compatriot Willi Castro, but he can play the shortstop and second if necessary.
[ How Detroit Tigers prospect Isaac Paredes is handling setback from positive COVID-19 test ]
“We felt we needed a stroke, so let’s give the child a chance,” Avila said. “He’s very young, but he’s hit every level. Ideally, like any of these guys we’re raising, it would have been better to have a minor league season.
“But we didn’t have that opportunity, so the next best thing was the Toledo team. He did well, and we think, hopefully, he can offend us the rest of the time.”
Paredes missed part of the summer camp with a positive COVID-19 test but was allowed to return on July 17. During his four-year career with minors, he had 93 doubles, six triples, 40 homers and 232 RBI in 424 games.
Evan Petzold is a sports reporting intern for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. The Free Press has launched a new digital subscription model. Here’s how you can access our most exclusive Detroit Tigers content.
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