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 Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. Alex Faedo

Minors (AA): 6-7 record, 115.1 innings, 3.90 ERA, 1.118 WHiP, 25 walks, 134 strikeouts

The Detroit Tigers liked Alex Faedo so much, they drafted him twice. The second time, when he was selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, they were able to land their man.

It is easy to see why the Tigers were so interested in his services. His final season in college started slowly due to a pair of knee surgeries, but he bounced back to have a strong finish, eventually winning the College World Series’ Most Outstanding Player award. That resiliency, and his impressive stuff, led to the Tigers making the choice to draft him once again.

After battling with diminished velocity in his first season as a professional, Faedo showed that 2018 was an aberration. His fastball was back in the mid 90s, showing the movement that had been there in college. Faedo’s slider had its bite back, becoming the strikeout pitch it had been. With the fastball back, his changeup also became effective once again, helping him to keep AA hitters off balance.

That combination of stuff, combined with his impressive control, give Faedo a solid floor. If nothing else, he should be a solid back of the rotation arm, with his lower arm slot causing hitters fits on occasion. However, if his stuff continues to play up, Faedo could develop into a middle of the rotation arm, one whose production goes beyond projections. He could become the Tigers version of Jack Flaherty, should everything break right.

Alex Faedo has an incredible command of his arsenal and a tremendous understanding of how to pitch. It is just a matter of time before he makes his major league debut.

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