LongLiveMaroth

https://www.mlb.com/news/detroit-tigers-spring-training-prospect-report-2024?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage It's easy to look at those recent successes and believe they're reproducible with two 2023 top-40 picks in Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle. But there's a key difference in the developmental paths. Everyone in the previous paragraph is at least 21 years old. Clark and McGonigle -- both high schoolers this time last year -- are only 19. Detroit is in for the long haul. "It will be the same processes, but they're going to be even more process-driven if that makes sense," said Tigers vice president of player development Ryan Garko. "They didn't have those college years in a big program like Jace and some of the other guys have. So I think we do a lot more in the weight room, a lot more education around their bodies, around routines, around health, around the grind of the season. Everything's going to be new to them. There's nothing that can prepare you for a full professional season until you've gone and done it."

One of the beat writers brought up the fact that Olson could miss Super Two status if he stays down in Toledo for the first couple of weeks of the season so that may also be a factor.

Sam Dykstra was saying the biggest thing will be to see if he can keep velocity up through the year as that has been a knock in the past.

If you wanna catch the last couple of innings; its free here. https://www.mlb.com/video/spring-breakout-phi-det-prospects

Briceno tore up the FCL last year and seems bound for Lakeland this year. 19 years old C/1B if he can stay at C and keep the power and average he'll be in some top 100 considerations.

Clark with the BB and steal

Jung with HR's today the first off of an Mick Abel change

Henning with some Garko praise this morning with some nice tidbits: Credit goes to Al Avila, the previous Tigers general manager, for recognizing the Tigers were a few eons behind too many other MLB teams when it came to grooming players. Avila knew science and technology, biomechanics, nutrition, strength and conditioning — even psychology — had become indispensable as baseball’s best clubs worked to gain an edge on the competition. Credit also Chris Ilitch for approving many millions of dollars in allowing Avila to take those first steps in bringing the Tigers into baseball’s 21st century. Avila hired Garko. Now, Garko is part of a new front-office group that finds in overall chief, Scott Harris, an even more advanced focus on development, with new staffers reinforcing creeds and incorporating baseball’s latest avant-garde thinking.

Interesting tidbit about Troy Melton in the Freep hitting home the player development: So, where exactly did he come from? That’s probably the most interesting part of this story. Because the Tigers didn’t find him as much as they have created him. A few weeks ago, as I talked to Melton outside the Tigers minor league clubhouse in Lakeland, I asked a simple question: “Would it be fair to say the Tigers took a lump of clay and they’ve transformed you?” “Absolutely,” he said, smiling. “Everything I do is new.”

It is fun to watch Tiger's Twitter go crazy over this one inning but have otherwise complained since the day he was drafted over Mayer.

In case you were like me and had a meeting pop up during this.

Blake Snell come on down.