MU in the Majors & Minors: April 2009 Summary

Things are finally starting to shake out and settle down for roster assignments in the various minor league levels, so it's time to look at where the various former Tiger players are starting their seasons.

MAJOR LEAGUES

■ Ian Kinsler (03): Texas Rangers. Starting 2nd baseman; American League All-Star in 2008

■ Max Scherzer (04-06): Arizona Diamondbacks. Currently slated to pitch as a fifth starter and occasional reliever. He will be on a pitch count and brought along slowly for a while, as he recovers from some shoulder stiffness.

TRIPLE-A

■ Doug Mathis (05): Oklahoma City Redhawks, Texas Rangers organization (Pacific Coast League) Mathis spent a good part of 2008 with the MLB Texas Rangers, but is starting 2009 at AAA.

DOUBLE-A

■ Andrew Johnston (05): Colorado Rockies organization Tulsa Drillers (Texas League)

■ Evan Frey (05-07): Mobile BayBears , Arizona Diamondbacks organization (Southern League). Frey tore up Single-A last season and caught the attention of the Diamondbacks' management in spring training. Frey was invited to the major league spring training camp and got lots of playing time, partially because of the absence of regulars gone to the World Baseball Classic.

■ Brock Bond (06-07): Connecticut Defenders, SF Giants organizations (Eastern League)

■ James Boone (03-05): Altoona Curve, Pittsburgh Pirates organization (Eastern League)

■ Nathan Culp (04-06): San Antonio Missions, San Diego Padres organization (Texas League)

CLASS A ADVANCED

■ Garrett Broshuis (02-04): San Jose Giants (California League). Brosh writes a regular Prospect Diary blog for Baseball America.

■ Hunter Mense (04-06): Jupiter Hammerheads, Florida Marlins organization (Florida State League)

CLASS A

■ Rick Zagone (06-07): Delmarva Shorebirds, Baltimore Orioles organization (South Atlantic League)

INDEPENDENT LEAGUES

■ Aaron Crow (06-07): Fort Worth Cats, American Association

Crow will likely get 4 or 5 starts with the Cats in May-June of 2009 before the June MLB Draft, where he is expected once again to be a first round draft pick. Crow was selected by the Washington Nationals with the ninth overall pick in the 2008 MLB June draft, but was unable to reach an agreement with the Nationals.

■ Taylor Parker (03-06): Fort Worth Cats, Texas League. Listed as signed by Fort Worth on March 25, 2009, but is not listed on the current roster online.

■ Cody Ehlers (01-04): Winnipeg Goldeyes, Northern League

Signed on January 8, Cody makes his indy debut following five years in the Yankees system. Helped lead Trenton to consecutive league titles. Earned league MVP honours in 2006 after leading the circuit in five offensive categories, including runs batted in and extra base hits. Led all first basemen with a .994 (1169/1176) fielding percentage. Is a career .991 (3792/3827) at first. Signed with New York following his senior year, where he led Missouri to the Arkansas Regional after hitting a school-best .364 with 18 homers and 71 RBIs. Played all four years of college ball for the Tigers.

■ Andy Shipman (03): Kansas City T-Bones, Northern League

■ Justin James ( ): Kansas City T-Bones, Northern League

■ Garrett Bauer (01): Sioux City Explorers, American Association

COACHING

Torre Tyson (95-98): Head Coach, Charleston Riverdogs, Class-A NY Yankees organization (South Atlantic League)

Jon Williams (98-01): Hitting Coach, Idaho Falls Chukars, KC Royals organization.

Jayce Tingler (00-03): Head Coach, Texas Rangers' Dominican Summer League


OTHERS:

Not yet assigned, or status unknown:

• Kurt Calvert (04-07)
• Lee Fischer (06-07)
• Travis Wendte (02-06)
• Erik Dessau (04-05)

■ Justin James (02-03) was released by the Cincinnati Reds organization.

■ Jacob Priday (05-07) has retired from his baseball career.

If you have further information about any of these players, especially the ones listed as not yet assigned or status unknown, please e-mail me at simmonsfield@hotmail.com