Tigers minor league report: Nesbitt finding groove at Toledo
Triple A Toledo
Who's hot …
Angel Nesbitt, RH reliever: Calming down after a stretch of bumpy air: one earned run in his last five outings (nine innings, six strikeouts, two walks).
And who's not …
Steven Moya, OF: .158 in his last 10 games as a setback season continues.
Double A Erie
Who's hot …
Josh Turley, LH starter: Been a relatively steady year for Turley: 2.84 ERA on the year, 2.69 in his last 10 starts. Has made 16 starts, with a 1.23 WHIP and .253 opposing batting average. Still likes his knuckleball, as do the Tigers. Turley, 24, was a 16th-round pick (Baylor) in 2012.
And who's not …
Austin Kubitza, LH starter: Opposite experience for Kubitza, who hasn't come close to matching his 2014 numbers. He's at 5.51 for his 2015 ERA, and 6.29 in his last 10 starts. Kubitza was a fourth-round pick in 2013 (Rice)
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Single A Lakeland
Who's hot …
Francisco Martinez, 3B: He should be doing this at Double A or at Toledo, but nothing wrong at any level with .341 in your last 10 games. Martinez has been around the Tigers' farm block a couple of times. Traded to Seattle in the Doug Fister deal, he's back and still working at age 24 to craft a career. Martinez bats right-handed, is 6-foot-2, 210, and on the season is batting .274 with a .733 OPS.
And who's not …
Dominic Ficociello, 1B: Long, hot summers in the Florida State League are a challenge. Ficociello in his last 10 games: .184 batting average. A switch hitter, Ficociello, 23, was a 12th-round pick in 2013 (Arkansas).
Single A West Michigan
Who's hot …
Kade Scivicque, C: Just promoted from Single A Connecticut and has continued doing what he did at his first stop: hit. Scivicque was a fourth-round pick in June from LSU. He bats right-handed, is 22 and 5-11, 223.
And who's not …
Whitecaps have been a model of refined behavior throughout 2015 and are this week excused from any unflattering scrutiny.
Single A Connecticut
Who's hot …
Victor Padron, OF: Turned 21 a couple of weeks ago and has done nothing but scorch in 19 games for the Tigers: .385 in 19 games, with an .875 OPS. Padron is a left-handed batter, is 5-8, 160, and was signed out of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela.
Drew Smith, RH reliever: He was the Tigers' third-round pick in June (Dallas Baptist) and should be one of those fast-lane candidates for Comerica Park. In six games spanning 16⅓ innings, Smith, 21, has allowed nine hits, has struck out 16, and walked two. He is 6-2, 155.
Jake Shull, RH reliever: Needs to tone down the walks (five in seven innings) but this 11th-round pick (Fresno St.) has eight strikeouts and has allowed only five hits. He's 5-10, 190, and is 21.
And who's not …
Sandy Baez, RH starter: Connecticut will not be remembered as Baez's favorite farm stop should this continue: five games, 6.63 ERA, 1.79 WHIP, .346 opposing batting average. Baez is 6-2, 180, is 21, and was signed out of Juan Baron, Dominican Republic.
Gulf Coast League (rookie)
Who's hot …
Beau Burrows, RH starter: Pleasing debut for the Tigers' top pick in June: four starts, 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .179 opposing batting average for a 6-2, 200-pound prospect from Weatherford (Texas) High.
And who's not …
Carlos Lara, RH reliever: 8.10 ERA and 2.70 WHIP in five games, mostly due to seven walks in 3⅓ innings. He is 21, from Bani, Dominican Republic.