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Fantasy Forces:
RF-Bobby Higginson (32)- While Higginson is not really a fantasy force he is easily the top producing Tiger on the roster.
However, since a bust-out '00 season, he has failed to get anywhere close to that production and hit a career-low 10 homeruns last year.
What looks like a downward spiraling career should get a boost with the presence of the old school Tigers on the bench and he should be the
top producing Tiger although another '00 is highly unlikely.
Better Days Ahead:
SP-Andy Van Hekken (23)- Like Maroth, Van Hekken made his debut last season to moderate success including a complete game shutout versus
Cleveland in his September debut. While he has an effective fastball he isn't a strikeout pitcher and works best when using the
corners, especially the outside. Tall but lanky, some more pounds will add speed to his high-80s fastball while allowing him to avoid
a late season slowdown in his first season as a full-time starter. He has excellent control which allows him to keep the ball in the
park while minimizing the damage when a hitter makes contact.
DH-Eric Munson (25)- Munson, the third overall pick in '99, has proven to be a legimate power threat but has struggled when
dealing with offspeed pitches. Slated to take the lion's share of a DH platoon, Munson will have to improve his pitch selection while
mainting his production if he wishes to stay in the lineup. In two stints covering 130 ABs, he has hit just .162 but has 3 homeruns as
well. While he can catch and play first he was learning to play third in winter ball and may be the solution should Palmer not be able
to hold up.
SS-Omar Infante (21)- Once one of the top shortstop prospects in all of baseball, Infante made a September debut last season and
paved the way to the full-time role in '03.
RP-Franklyn German (23)- Part of the trade that brought Pena to Detroit, German hs the makings of a dominant closer. Not only
is he a mass of intimidation on the mound due to his 6'4" 265lb frame but is armed with a fastball that comes in just under triple
digits. In a scoreless prequel during a September callup he allowed just 3 hits and continues to improve his control. Should
Anderson fail or go down, German will slide into the closer's role but in the meantime he will be valuable late-inning reliever with the
Tigers.
Risky Business:
CL-Matt Anderson (26)- After looking like he was going to establish himself as one of the league's top closers in '01, Anderson
injured his shoulder early in '02 and failed to convert a save. Armed with one of baseball's most lethal fastballs, the first overall
pick of '97 continues to take steps back for every step forward and now has some serious competition in Franklyn German. Although he
is still just 26, Anderson's time in Detroit may be winding down although he will still start the season as the Tigers' closer.
SP-Nate Cornejo (23)- In two stints in the Detroit rotation the last two seasons, Cornejo has shown little of the success he had
in the minors. With a decent fastball and a better sinker, Cornejo needs to gain confidence in all his pitches while learning to not
throw so hard that he misses his locations. Committed to their youth, the burly righty should be in the rotation for the '03 season,
although the results will still fall far short of his potential.
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Supporting Cast:
SP-Steve Sparks (37)- Following a magical '01 season, Sparks came back to earth and pitched like the pin cushion he has been most
of his career. Throwing nearly all knucklers, he gets in more trouble the higher his pitches come in and will give up big hit counts.
With the quartet of young horses behind him, Sparks will again take the hill on Opening Day and get a full slate of starts. The
oldest player on the roster, his repetoire makes his age irrelevant and he should eat up big innings again to mediocre yet effective
results.
1B-Carlos Pena (24)- Acquired in July as part of the Jeff Weaver trade, Pena put the dismal result of his Oakland debut behind him
and flashed glimpses of his vast potential at the plate and in the field. A lefty, most of Pena's massive power is to right field but
he can aptly hit to all fields and willingly does so. Over time, Pena will develop into a consistent 30-homerun hitter and Gold Glove
fielder.
LF/1B-Dmitri Young (29)- After suffering through a season filled with injuries, the switch-hitter will likely shift to the
outfield to compensate for the loss of Fick although he should get ABs as a DH and 1B as well. Formerly a .300 hitter, Young will hit in
the middle of the lineup but can't be relied upon to produce like most middle hitters. Frustrated at the Tigers unwillingness to let
him play first, the only thing preventing a trade is his outrageous contract, though somebody may be willing to snatch it up in the right
situation.
SP-Mike Maroth (25)- Maroth's successful rookie season resurrected his status in the Tigers' system, a year after a dismal '01 season
cast doubts on his ability to develop into the pitcher they envisioned. Pitching lights out at home, the lefty works off his changeup
and offspeed pitches while using his fastball to keep hitters honest. If he continues to attack the hitters early in the count he will
be much more effective although he may be a #3 at best in the future.
CF-Gene Kingsale (26)- The speedy Kingsale was acquired from the Padres in exchange for catching prospect Michael Rivera.
Born in Aruba, the switch-hitter has only been playing baseball since high school and continues to develop as if he were much younger.
Smart and willing to take a walk, he doesn't have any power to speak of yet, but he did smack 6 homers in 188 ABs at Tacoma in '01. Nonetheless,
Kingsale's value is at the top of the lineup and in center field, where he will vie for time with George Lombard.
CF-George Lombard (27)- Once the pride of the Braves' system, Lombard will try to resurrect his career with the Tigers and showed he
still has the power and speed that caused stirs in the late 90s while he was moving up the ranks. Though he is the likely candidate to
start in left and leadoff, he strikes out far too many times and has anemic OBPs in the majors. Kingsale's presence could be a
motivator or spell doom for the lefty.
C-Brandon Inge (25)- Already a top fielding backstop, Inge tried to lay waste to the all-field/no-hit label to no avail in his
first stint as the full-time starter. Striking out at an ungodly rate, he barely cracked the Mendoza Line while finishing well below
against righties. Although he made strides in the power department, the rest of his offense lags far behind. The Tigers remained
convinced he would pan out and traded their top catching prospect for Kingsale. While it's hard to imagine being more ineffective at
the plate, he should see improvements as he gets more time.
Past Their Prime:
2B-Damien Easley (33)- Once one of the premier pivots in the game, Easley's skills are quickly diminishing and last year he hit a
career low as injuries sidetracked him for much of the first half. His power is merely a shadow of its former self while he has become
a station to station baserunner as well. The second highest paid Tiger, it won't be easy to deal him although Detroit would jump on
any offer that came around. Either way, Ramon Santiago is the pivot of the future and Easley's days are numbered.
3B-Dean Palmer (34)- While Palmer still has a tremendous power swing, injuries have curtailed his last two seasons and left doubts as
to whether he would be an effective third baseman again. With just 12 at-bats last season, the former Ranger will not only need time
to get his feet wet again but will do it under heavy pressure from the youngsters, who are not only blocking a shift to first but DH as well,
while a part-time role isn't out of the question. If healthy he can provide good homerun totals and either way will be a leader in the
young clubhouse but his days of full production appear over. The highest paid Tiger on the roster, this will likely be his last season in
the Motor City.
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