Detroit Tigers top ten prospects for 2020

By David Hill | Oct 16, 2019

LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Casey Mize #74 of the Detroit Tigers ties his Adidas baseball shoe on the pitchers mound during the Spring Training game against the Southeastern University Fire at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 22, 2019 in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Fire 13-2. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

9. Jake Rogers

Minors (AA, AAA): 303 plate appearances, .250/.361/.484, 13 doubles, 14 homers, 37 walks, 79 strikeouts

Majors: 128 plate appearances, .125/.222/.259, three doubles, four homers, 13 walks, 51 strikeouts

Defensively, Jake Rogers is ready to be a part of the Detroit Tigers lineup. Offensively is a different story.

That was the report on Rogers when he was a third round draft pick of the Astros in 2016. He was considered to be one of the better defensive catchers, not just in the draft, but in the game as a whole. A brilliant receiver and pitch framer, Rogers has excellent agility and leadership skills behind the dish. Add in his howitzer of an arm, and he may well be the best defensive catcher in the majors already.

The problem is that Rogers’ bat is simply not close to being ready. He does possess decent power and is patient at the plate, but his contact issues have been a concern since he was drafted. When he does make contact, Rogers has shown to be a fly ball hitter, one that could succeed in the majors with the current emphasis on hitting the ball in the air.

However, he would need to make contact more frequently than he has in order to be a viable lead option at catcher. His glove and arm should give him a long career, even if it is as a backup at the position.

Jake Rogers should be a useful piece for the Detroit Tigers. He needs to show more with the bat to be more than a Jeff Mathis type of player.

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