One of the two players to be named later from the Tigers' trade of Mike Fiers to Oakland earlier this month was named on Saturday. Reliever Nolan Blackwood, a Texas League All-Star this season at Double-A Midland, was announced as part of the deal.
The 23-year-old Blackwood, a 6-foot-5 sidearmer, ranked 30th on MLB Pipeline's list of A's prospects. The former 14th-round Draft pick two years ago out of the University of Memphis posted a 6-3 record and 4.08 ERA in 39 appearances out of the Midland bullpen this season, including nine saves. He struck out 48 batters over 53 innings while allowing 60 hits and 16 walks. With just three homers allowed, Blackwood kept the ball in the park in a generally hitter-friendly league while also providing surprising velocity for his arm angle with a 91-93 mph fastball.
Blackwood adds a deceptive bullpen arm that has its share of power relief prospects but could use some deceptive arms to complement them. Double-A Erie closer John Schreiber is one such arm on a similar trajectory, having risen from the Tigers' 15th-round pick in 2016 to success in Erie. Blackwood is expected to join him in Erie, where he'll likely finish out the season.
The Tigers and A's still have one more player to announce in that deal. Detroit will select from a list of players agreed upon when it reached the deal to send Fiers to Oakland two weeks ago.