When it comes to the Detroit Tigers pitching prospects, Alex Faedo is a forgotten man.
The Detroit Tigers struggles over the past few seasons have begun to bear fruit in the farm system. Led by pitching prospects Casey Mize and Matt Manning, the Tigers farm system was considered to be the tenth best in the game heading into the 2019 campaign. The future, especially when it comes to the rotation, certainly seems to be bright in Detroit.
For all of the excitement when it comes to the future of the Tigers rotation, there is one minor leaguer who has become overlooked. Alex Faedo, who was the 18th overall selection in the 2017 MLB Draft, has been passed by. Not only have Mize and Manning surged past Faedo, but he has also been passed in the pecking order by Franklin Perez and Beau Burrows.
That is not to say that Faedo was completely ignored. He still ranks as the Tigers tenth best prospect per MLB.com. And, Faedo was considered a top 100 prospect by both MLB.com and Baseball America.
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He performed relatively well in 2018. After proving to be too much for the Florida State League, Faedo was promoted to AA, where he did not fare as well. Combined between the two stops, he produced a 5-10 record, along with a 4.02 ERA and a solid 1.140 WHiP. Over the course of his 121 innings, Faedo struck out 110 batters with only 35 walks.
Although that was a solid performance, and Faedo reached AA in just his first professional season, he had fallen off of the top 100 prospect lists. Back in AA to begin the 2019 campaign, he has put together a solid start to the season. Prior to Friday’s action, he had posted a 3.52 ERA and a 0.783 WHiP, striking out 26 batters with only two walks in 23 innings.
That performance will certainly demand attention, particularly in regards to his command. It is possible that, should Faedo continue to show that type of dominance, he could end up in AAA by the middle of the season, with an outside chance of making his major league debut this year.
Faedo may also have the highest floor of the Tigers pitching prospects. Armed with his excellent control, a mid 90s fastball and what could be an excellent slider, Faedo has plenty of potential. His ability to pitch with somewhat diminished stuff last year, as he lost a bit of velocity from his college days, did not affect his ability to generate outs, showing an ability to pitch that can help on those days where he is not at his best.
Right now, Alex Faedo may be somewhat forgotten in regards to Detroit Tigers prospects. However, he is likely to be a key part of the future as well.