The Tigers have traded most of their top prospects this past off season but they held onto shortstop Cale Iorg. The 22-year old righty swinging Iorg has looked pretty good this season. He has played in 79 games in A-Ball this season and he is 81 for 309 (.262 avg, .748 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 8 homers, 40 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Iorg was the #2 prospect in the entire Tigers’ minor league system coming into this season according to Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook and he’s showing why this year. Look for him to be playing ball in Comerica Park in the near future.

29-year old lefty reliever Ian Ostlund is pitching really well in AAA ball for the Tigers. The next time the Tigers need lefty help in the bullpen they should give this guy a call. Ostlund has pitched in 29 games (0 starts) in AAA ball for the Tigers this season and he is 3-0 with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He has whiffed 48 batters while only walking 9 in 42.2 innings this season which shows that he has pretty good stuff and control.

30-year old righty Blaine Neal is the closer in AAA ball right now in the Tigers’ system and he has been pitching well down there. With all of the problems the Tigers have had in the bullpen this season it makes little sense not to give Neal a chance soon if he kees pitching well. Neal has pitched in 23 games (0 starts) this season in AAA and he is 1-0 with 17 saves, a 1.66 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. He has also whiffed 25 batters in 21.1 innings which shows that his stuff has been decent.

The Tigers have recalled 27-year old righty starting pitcher Eddie Bonine to replace Dontrelle Willis in the starting rotation. Bonine has started 12 games in AAA ball this season and he is 9-2 with a 4.48 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He has allowed 82 hits but only has walked 14 batters in 74.1 innings this season in AAA. He might have a rough time in the majors as he doesn’t strike out a lot of batters meaning that he will have to be really fine with his pitches.

19-year old righty starting pitcher Rick Porcello is off to an outstanding start to his professional baseball career. Porcello has started 7 games in A-Ball so far this season and he is 2-4 with a 1.98 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. He has only allowed 25 hits in 36.1 innings so far this year. Although the Tigers might be tempted to rush Porecllo through the system they would be better served to take their time.