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Projecting LFT’s Rotation, Pt. 1
By Deran | February 6, 2008
Jonah Nickerson - 3/09/1985
(11-7, 4.24 ERA, 150.2 IP, 38 BB, 116 K)
Jonah is a 6’0”, 210 lb. right-handed pitcher from Casper, WY, and was drafted by the Tigers in the 7th round of the 2006 draft out of Oregon State. He’s a groundball pitcher who keeps the ball low in the zone and enjoyed moderate success last year in West Michigan on his way to a championship season. His fastball tops out in the upper-80’s to around 90, with a good curveball and a changeup.
Jonah Nickerson
Credit: Potthole
Duane Below – 11/15/1985
(13-5, 2.97 ERA, 145.2 IP, 58 BB, 160 K)
Duane had a huge season for West Michigan last year. He’s taller at 6’2”, 205 lbs. and was drafted out of Lake Michigan Community College, which I used to attend, and was a steal in the 19th round of the 2006 draft. Duane is a favorite among this group to crack Detroit’s rotation in a couple years, especially with guys like Miller and Badenhop out of his way, but could also be challenged and sent straight to AA Erie to start the season. He throws from the right side and he won’t overpower people with his 85-88 MPH fastball, but he throws strikes and has an average curveball.
Duane Below
Credit: Potthole
Charlie Furbush - 4/11/1986
(4-1, 2.17 ERA, 45.2 IP, 11 BB, 46 K)
Charlie is a big lefty, standing at 6’5”, 215 lbs. He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2007 draft out of LSU and quickly proved to be no match for the Gulf Coast League or the Midwest League. He has a live fastball that tops out at around 93 (but pitches 88-91) and a deceptive changeup and curveball. Also a very good candidate to pitch in Detroit in a couple years. Definitely a player to keep an eye on. Also, his nickname is “landing strip” (thanks Edman).
Charlie Furbush
Credit: WhitecapWendy
Those three seem to be set. There’s a list of other pitchers (including Rick Porcello?) that will contend for the last two spots and I will get to them later.
Topics: Flying Tigers |
February 6th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I hope that Porcello comes to West Michigan to start the year, but that’s just my shelfish side talking.
February 6th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Seeing as he is just out of high school, that very well could be the case. I’ve asked him if he knows where he will be and he is saying either WM or Lakeland (it depends on how well he does in the spring). I’m personally hoping they play the “warm weather card” and keep him here in Lakeland.
February 13th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Looking ahead. Like pitching staff.
The real key to success will be CF [Gorky’s “D” will be missed] 3rd. Base, Shortstop.
With a groundball pitching staff the up the middle “D” is going to be important.
Skelton,Boesch,Streiby, Sizemore are solid. Jordon Newton really came on strong at the end of last season and is player to watch. Will push Skelton + Power. A nice problem.
February 16th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Three good arms there. One wonders how long Furbush will need in high-A ball, so enjoy him while you can!
February 18th, 2008 at 11:35 am
With the performance of last years LFT pitching staff I just do not know how long Gerbe,Below,Fien and Jensen will last. It is clear that if the organization promotes them higher they will be successful. They have a lot of college level experience. It will be interesting to see if the organization continues it’s slow level to level approach or after all the big trades if they reward success and performance.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Just reviewed pitching stats at Lakeland for 07.
Gerbe vs Aponte, Dolsi vs Fien, Below vs ?, Nickerson,Jensen. Outside of French I’m not sure who on this pitching staff earned a promotion!
February 18th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I don’t think it will be as much about them (last year’s LFT’s) deserving promotions as it will be about the guys below them deserving promotions. Really, the only time you can hold a guy back is when you don’t have anyone below them pushing them. A lot of these guys will go to Erie more so because they’ll have an open roster spot there, rather than because they earned a promotion. I’ll be talking to as many people as I can towards the end of ST to try getting an understanding of who will be in Lakeland. I don’t expect too many repeats though, other than guys that came along in the 2nd half of last year.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I agree with Deran. Not sure how many 07 Lakeland pitchers will be left in organization after Spring Training.
Hope the orgaization promotes on merit and not just time with organization. It looks like we have some pitching at the lower levels with some real talent.