August 11, 2021
Toledo now boasts 6 out of the top 9 Detroit pitching prospects. Jason Groome has recently transitioned to a closer role and has 3 saves with 0ER since doing so. #2 and #3 pitching prospects (behind Jason Dumont) Adam Kloffenstein and Kyle Muller are achoring the rotation in Toledo. King Kloff is off to a rough start and is currently in a cold snap but has still managed to put up a 4.28 FIP and 23K across 26.1 IP. Muller sports a 3.66 FIP and 2.18 ERA in his first 7 starts at AAA. #8 pitching prospect Griffin Roberts has amazing stuff, but doesn’t always know where it’s going. The hard-throwing righty has put up a 3.52 ERA and is posting an 11.9 K/9 rate for the Mud Hens. Finally, #9 pitching prospect Landon Leach was recently promoted to Toledo and has yet to make a start. The 22-year old has been solid but not spectacular in his rise through the Tigers system.
On the offensive side, the Mud Hens also have a top-notch collection of prospects including the #3 prospect (#2 hitting prospect) in the Tigers system in Jake Venables. Jake has struggled to hit for power this year, putting up a .261/.349/.422 line at AA Erie before his recent promotion to Toledo. He’s joined by the #6 (Gary Hardy), #10 (Will Holland) and #11 (Joe Sherburne) prospects. Hardy has recently transitioned to first base to gain some additional position flexibility. He’s hitting .261/.316/.389 for the Mud Hens but the Tigers think he’s capable of tapping into more of his raw power. The hard working Joe Sherburne is struggling in his first taste of AAA, but he’s just 21 years old. Sherburne is fleet of foot and has a cannon for an arm. He can legitimately play all three outfield positions with ease.
Toledo is now 7-3 in their last 10 games, which has coincided with a host of promotions of these top prospects as well as the starting staff getting acclimated to their mid-season promotions.