Winter Wonderland
Have you ever wondered how players occupy their winter months? Well, for many young prospects looking to establish a major league career, the answer is winter ball. This off-season, several of the Tigers prospects continued honing their skills in Latin America and Arizona. Winter ball is necessary in the eyes of every organization because it gives young players additional at bats or innings against what is considered to be top competition.
Here is a look at some the Tigers winter league numbers. We'll start with the hitters. Two players that saw considerable action with the big club last season were busy once the season ended. Omar Infante played in his native Venezuela for Oriente. Infante hit .267 in 165 at bats, but showed plenty of power with five home runs and 12 doubles. The Tigers however would like to see him cut down on his strikeouts, and his total of 35 was still high.
Curtis Granderson meanwhile put up some nice numbers in his first extended big league look last year, but by the time he got to Licey in the Dominican Republic, he may have been worn down. Granderson hit .194 in 21 games with one home run and eight RBI's.
Several of the organization's top pitching prospects also saw action this winter. While names like Joel Zumaya and Justin Verlander continue to garner all of the press clippings, the Tigers are very high on right righthander Humberto Sanchez. The Bronx, NY native pitched in the Arizona Fall League for Mesa. Although his 2005 season was cut short by a leg injury late in the season, Sanchez rebounded nicely by posting a 1-0 record with a 2.59 ERA in five starts with Mesa. He also struck out 24 in 24 innings.
Roman Colon was acquired in the Kyle Farnsworth deal last season and is expected battle for a spot on the Tigers staff this spring. Colon pitched 22 innings in the Dominican Republic and finished with a 3.57 ERA. His 24 strikeouts and only three walks were very impressive.
Meanwhile, lefthander Wil Ledezma has nothing more to prove in the minor leagues, but he has battled to stay healthy and perform consistently at the big league level. Ledezma pitched for Caracas in Venezuela and posted an 0-2 record but a fine 3.14 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts). Walks were a problem though, he had 18 against only 13 strikeouts in 29 innings.
Winter ball can be an important part of a player's development. While some feel the added playing time can be too much following a grueling regular season, in many cases it gives players an opportunity to prove they can compete against elevated competition. Just ask Chris Shelton. After struggling through a rough Rule 5 season in 2004, Shelton hit .404 in the Arizona Fall League last off-season, proving he can play. He went on to post outstanding numbers in 2005 at the big league level (.299-18-59).
Hi Mario.
My name is Nate Miller. I love your posts telling us your perspective of the game. When I get older, I want to become a play-by-play man like you. Is there any advice you can give me that will help me achieve my dream. If so you can email me at nate.miller@teenmania.com. Thanks
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My favorite team was the 1983 Detroit Tigers. We called them "The 'Gers." My favorite player was Lance Parrish.
Guess Who?
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Ooops -- make that the 1984 'Gers.
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Hello Mario!
Just wanted to say I enjoy your Tigers broadcasts and look forward to the 2006 season! Hopefully the Tigers can add to the victory total this year and we have an exciting and interesting 2006!
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Mario,
I'm looking forward to seeing Joel Zumaya on the staff this year. I think he's got what it takes to win a spot in the rotation. What do you know about his chances?
Keep up the good work.
JRS
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Sorry that Rod Allen does not have a blog comment section, but then I can understand why when it is still the top of the ninth, and commenting about "...the quiet plane ride to Tampa." As Yogi would say, "It ain't over until it's over." and it's you who have the defeatist attitude and give up that this Twins team is so much better than the Tigers. Go find another team to root for! Just some more of your errorenous commenting!
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Thanks Mario for not letting DeVos talk about politics on the game tonight. It was a good way to redirect the conversation.
I was hoping DeVoe would talk more about the ball game instead of election.
It was upsetting for me and my wife tyring to watch a Tigers Game when a politician was talking about our current leadership. I am glad he was not on that long.
Ty Stallard
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Hey Rod and Mario, my dad, Bill Curtis, will be 88 years old tomorrow Sept.19,2006 and has been a Tiger fan all his life. His family wishes him a "Happy Birthday" and many more great Tiger Seasons!! Thank You. The Curtis Family.
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Mario and Rod.... I miss you guys! It's great to hear you guys comment on the Tig's all season, but now that we are in the post-season we are stuck listening to folks who don't have the passion about Detroit and the Tigers like both of you do.
Thanks for your delivery of a great season on Fox. You guys were/are great!
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Hey Mario,
I was looking at the Tigers schedule today, and I saw nearly all games are televised by FSND, which I think is Fox Sports Net Detroit. 3 games in April are televised by FSN+. What is that? Will those games be on the same channel as FSND?
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I'm a DirecTV customer in the 43416 zip code and an avid Tigers fan and season ticket holder. I was very upset when I realized that FSN Detroit was blacked out for baseball. I called DirecTV and got the run around. I've always got the Tigers since I joined DirecTV by purchasing the sports pack. I was told that even if I purchased MLB extra innings that FSN Detroit would still be blacked out for baseball. I'm fustrated as to who to complain to.
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I have done some Baseball division comparisons today, and here is what I found: For the top 3 teams in each division, wins/losses/percentage:
AL East 150/133 .530
(4 teams) 192/185 .509
AL Central 162/121 .572 (4 teams) 205/172 .543
AL West 154/127 .548 (4 teams) 195/181 .519
NL East 151/135 .528 (4 teams) 196/186 .513
NL Central 148/134 .525 (4 teams) 189/189 .500
NL West 157/131 .545
(4 teams) 205/178 .535
AL Central has the best winning record in baseball by top 3 teams in division, and still the best from the top 4.
(e-mail recently changed to robert_carter@sbcglobal.net)
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BIG FAVOR!!!!
PLEASE let us know when you're going to give a Pistons or Redwings score so we can cover our ears. A lot of people like myself are TIVOing the other game while watching the Tigers (which are always my first choice for live viewing ;-). We then watch the Pistons or Redwings AFTER the Tigers. But twice this week you have unknowingly spoiled it by giving the score or result without warning. Just a simple "turn your head" or "cover your ears" would be greatly appreciated;-).
Thanks Mario--truly enjoy your broadcasts from here in Denver....
Cordially,
Tom Fry
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