DETROIT -- Isaac Paredes has become the offensive force behind Double-A Erie’s charge for an Eastern League playoff berth. Once the hard-hitting infielder is done there, he’ll be the Tigers’ headline prospect in the Arizona Fall League.
Four members of MLB Pipeline’s top 30 Tigers prospect list will be headed to Arizona next month to continue their work, including Erie teammates Anthony Castro (20th), Derek Hill (28th) and Alex Lange (29th). Fellow SeaWolves Jose Azocar, Wladimir Pinto and Trent Szkutnik will also join them, all playing for the Mesa Solar Sox under Erie manager Mike Rabelo as they compete against some of the top prospects in baseball.
Paredes, however, will be the big name. The 20-year-old will be aiming to continue his development and inch closer to Detroit. The former Cubs prospect has played above his age group at every level since his arrival in the Alex Avila trade two years ago, but Paredes has held his own playing in the Eastern League, where the average age is four years older.
While Paredes entered Wednesday batting .283 (129-for-456) with 23 doubles, 11 home runs, 59 RBIs and a .780 OPS, his plate discipline has stood out, with 55 walks against 59 strikeouts. His .370 on-base percentage ranks third in the league, while he ranks fifth in OPS. He has been peaking down the stretch, batting .347 with a .900 OPS in August.
“He doesn’t expand [his strike zone] very much,” Rabelo said earlier this month. “He doesn’t chase and he doesn’t miss balls in the zone. That right there is why this kid is going to hit. He has a clue what he’s doing in that box, a very good clue. He’s putting together a very solid year.”
While Paredes has bounced between third base and shortstop in Erie, he’s expected to focus on one position in the AFL. With Cubs top prospect Niko Hoerner, a shortstop, and Indians top prospect Nolan Jones, a third baseman, also headed to Mesa, it could be a tough decision.
Hill, the Tigers’ first-round pick in 2014, will try to carry forward the momentum built over a full season in Erie. While the 23-year-old has put up a highlight reel of catches all year, his offense has picked up down the stretch, including a .283 average and .795 OPS since the All-Star break.
“It’s the main thing, just getting reps and being able to go out there, knowing that you can go out there and play to your ability,” Hill said.
The 23-year-old Azocar was named Eastern League Rookie of the Year on Wednesday. He has been a bit more consistent with his offense, ranking among the batting average leaders for most of the summer in a league where qualified no hitter is batting .300. Azocar’s .284 average ranks third, to go along with 20 doubles, 10 homers and 56 RBIs. Although, his 125 strikeouts against 20 walks over 479 at-bats are a concern.
“He had the reputation: He never met a baseball that he didn't like,” Rabelo said earlier this season. “If you walked Azocar, you really tried. But he's taking them now. He's cat and mouse. You'll see him setting up a pitcher. He might take that first-pitch heater and sit on a slider.”
While none of the Tigers’ top starting prospects were expected to head to Arizona Fall League due to innings limits, Castro’s work as a swingman this year afforded him some extra innings to use in fall work to hone his consistency. The 24-year-old has been impressive between 17 starts and nine relief appearances, allowing just 67 hits over 98 innings with 62 walks and 113 strikeouts.
“For 90-plus pitches, he’s mid-90s with cut,” Rabelo said. “His ball’s nasty, it dances all over the place.”
The 21-year-old Pinto has been a power reliever between Erie and Class A Advanced Lakeland this season, racking up 84 strikeouts over 58 innings with 36 hits allowed.
The 26-year-old Szkutnik, a former University of Michigan pitcher, has bounced between Erie and Triple-A Toledo this season, combining for a 4.07 ERA over 42 appearances with 65 strikeouts over 66 1/3 innings.
The Arizona Fall League begins earlier than in years past. The AFL season begins Wednesday, Sept. 18, and concludes with the championship game on Saturday, Oct. 26. The change allows players to transition more seamlessly into AFL play, rather than to shut down for a stretch after the Minor League season ends on Sept. 2.
Manning named Eastern League Pitcher of the Year
While Matt Manning is not headed to Arizona, his season in Erie picked up a well-deserved recognition Wednesday. The Tigers’ second-ranked prospect was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year by a vote of league managers, broadcasters and media.
Though fellow SeaWolves starters Casey Mize, Alex Faedo and Tarik Skubal have received plenty of attention, Manning’s consistency has stood out. The Tigers’ first-round pick in 2015 leads the league in strikeouts (148) and WHIP (0.98). His 11 wins and 2.56 ERA rank second in each respective category. He has allowed more than three earned runs only once in 24 starts this season.
Manning ranks second to Mize on MLB Pipeline’s Tigers prospect list, and has risen to 27th on MLB Pipeline’s top 100. He’s the second SeaWolves pitcher ever to win the honor, following Michael Fulmer in 2015.
Quick hits
• Both Miguel Cabrera (biceps tightness) and Harold Castro (right calf) were out of the Tigers' lineup Wednesday, but neither is expected to be more than a day-to-day situation.
• Catcher Jake Rogers spent time working with hitting coach Lloyd McClendon on Wednesday. The rookie entered the day in a 1-for-35 slump that includes 22 strikeouts.