3. Joe Jimenez, RHP
Birthdate: 1/17/95 (21 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: high A, AA, AAA
Stats in 2016: 53 2/3 IP, 1.51 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 8.37 BB%, 38.42 K%
Jimenez won’t be on this list next year, but he’s also that type of pitcher that’s really hard to gauge, primarily due to his current and future role.
Jimenez is a closer. As a closer, he’s quite possibly the best one in all of the minor leagues, as far as legit prospects go. He saved 30 games last season with big time numbers at three different levels, not getting phased by advancing to upper level hitters in the least.
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Jimenez will get a season this year working under Francisco Rodriguez, most likely, and the Tigers are hoping that he’s not the next in a long line of future closers who end up bombing out (stay away from Guitar Hero, Joe).
The Tigers have flirted with moving some big pieces from the current major league team. They could very possibly throw Jimenez into the fire by moving K-Rod in the offseason and inserting Jimenez as the closer to start 2017.
Jimenez has a fastball that can run to triple digits with ease and a slider that rates as a plus pitch as well along with above-average control of both pitches. That control playing up has really allowed Jimenez to take the step from “a reliever throwing well” to a legit prospect that could even see top 100 lists.
Next: #2