Detroit Tigers 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

2011 (25) | 2010 (27) | 2009 (28) | 2008 (27) | 2007 (14) | 2006 (13) | 2005 (29) | 2004 (22)

2011 Affiliate Records

MLB: [95-67] AL Central

AAA: [67-77] International League – Toledo

AA: [67-75] Eastern League – Erie

A+: [64-74] Florida State League – Lakeland

A: [70-69] Midwest League – West Michigan

A(ss): [39-35] New York Penn League – Connecticut

The Run Down

2011 didn’t deplete the Tigers pipeline too terribly, as most of their top guys are still around.  Dan Schlereth had a nice year out of the bullpen for the Tigers, and a few others (Sizemore, Furbush) made impacts with other big league clubs after being traded.  The shuffling, though, didn’t do much to alter the complexion of the farm system.  Offensively, Detroit is pretty well set for 2012.  There could be a void in left field if Delmon Young signs elsewhere, but I imagine they’d try to fill that slot with an impact bat via free agency, rather than through their system.  The Tigers will, however, have an opening in their starting rotation.  And while it appears that top prospect Jacob Turner has a firm grip on that role, there are a number of promising starters in Detroit’s minor leagues and it isn’t fair to rule anyone out just yet.