By Jon Paul Morosi, Detroit Free Press
November 20, 2008

Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible. Ages are as of April 1, 2009.

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TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Rick Porcello, rhp 2. Ryan Perry, rhp 3. Cale Iorg, ss 4. Casey Crosby, lhp 5. Jeff Larish, 1b/3b 6. Wilkin Ramirez, of 7. Scott Sizemore, 2b 8. Cody Satterwhite, rhp 9. Dusty Ryan, c 10. Guillermo Moscoso, rhp

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Scott Sizemore Best Power Hitter Ryan Strieby Best Strike-Zone Discipline James Skelton Fastest Baserunner Kyle Peter Best Athlete Cale Iorg Best Fastball Ryan Perry Best Curveball Rick Porcello Best Slider Ryan Perry Best Changeup Rick Porcello Best Control Jonathan Kibler Best Defensive Catcher Jeff Kunkel Best Defensive Infielder Brent Dlugach Best Infield Arm Cale Iorg Best Defensive Outfielder Clete Thomas Best Outfield Arm Clete Thomas

PROJECTED 2012 LINEUP

Catcher Dusty Ryan First Base Miguel Cabrera Second Base Scott Sizemore Third Base Jeff Larish Shortstop Cale Iorg Left Field Wilkin Ramirez Center Field Curtis Granderson Right Field Matt Joyce Designated Hitter Magglio Ordonez No. 1 Starter Justin Verlander No. 2 Starter Rick Porcello No. 3 Starter Jeremy Bonderman No. 4 Starter Casey Crosby No. 5 Starter Armando Galarraga Closer Ryan Perry

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Position 2008 1999 Gabe Kapler, of Brewers 2000 Eric Munson 1b/c Brewers 2001 Brandon Inge, c Tigers 2002 Nate Cornejo, rhp Out of baseball 2003 Jeremy Bonderman, rhp Tigers 2004 Kyle Sleeth, rhp Out of baseball 2005 Curtis Granderson, of Tigers 2006 Justin Verlander, rhp Tigers 2007 Cameron Maybin, of Marlins 2008 Rick Porcello, rhp Tigers

TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Position 2008 1999 Eric Munson, 1b/c Brewers 2000 Matt Wheatland, rhp Out of baseball 2001 Kenny Baugh, rhp Marlins 2002 Scott Moore, ss Orioles 2003 Kyle Sleeth, rhp Out of baseball 2004 Justin Verlander, rhp Tigers 2005 Cameron Maybin, of Marlins 2006 Andrew Miller, lhp Marlins 2007 Rick Porcello, rhp Tigers 2008 Ryan Perry, rhp Tigers

LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY

Rick Porcello, 2007 $3,580,000 Andrew Miller, 2006 $3,550,000 Eric Munson, 1999 $3,500,000 Kyle Sleeth, 2003 $3,350,000 Justin Verlander, 2004 $3,120,000

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Any analysis of the Tigers' 2008 season begins with what transpired at the Winter Meetings over two days in December 2007. Detroit stunned many at the Opryland complex by acquiring Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins for a package of six prospects, with the previously untouchable Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller among them. The message was clear: After winning the American League pennant in 2006, then missing the postseason in 2007, the Tigers would settle for nothing less than a World Series championship in 2008.

Instead, they finished last in the American League Central. Their $139 million Opening Day player payroll, the second-highest in baseball, was the most ever for any team in baseball history to finish with a losing record.

"I thought we had a club that would compete to win a championship, and it's apparent we were significantly off on that, which is my responsibility," club president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "I'm embarrassed that you have a very large payroll and you don't do well. Now what we need to do is go out and try to fix it."

The disappointment was especially wrenching because of how much of Detroit's future had been mortgaged on the lost season. In addition to giving up Maybin and Miller, they also dealt standout prospects Jair Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez to the Braves for shortstop Edgar Renteria. While Jurrjens led National League rookies with 13 victories and Hernandez continued to progress through the minors, Renteria played poorly in the field and had one of his worst years at the plate.

In terms of wins and losses, the farm system didn't have a banner year, either. Righthander Rick Porcello was the lone Tiger to make Baseball America's preseason Top 100 Prospects list, and the only Tiger to make one of BA's minor league Top 10 Prospects lists after the season. Only low Class A West Michigan reached the postseason.

One year after signing Porcello, lefthander Casey Crosby and shortstop Cale Iorg to well-above-slot bonuses, Detroit was more conservative in the 2008 draft. The Tigers spent $3.7 million on signing bonuses—down from $7.9 million in 2007—and didn't exceed Major League Baseball's slot recommendations for any pick.

Despite all the bad news, Detroit officials were encouraged by the development of many prospects during the 2008 season, particularly some of their pitchers.

Porcello reinforced his status as one of the top arms minor league baseball. Though he was much younger than many hitters he faced, he led the high Class A Florida State League with a 2.66 ERA in his pro debut. The Lakeland bullpen behind him boasted several intriguing arms, including 2008 draft picks Ryan Perry, Cody Satterwhite and Robbie Weinhardt. Strike-throwing righthander Casey Fien and sidearmer Rudy Darrow have a chance to make the Tigers' Opening Day roster in 2009. Crosby made a rapid return from Tommy John surgery and was very impressive in instructional league.

Outfielder Matt Joyce hadn't played above Double-A prior to 2008 but batted .252/.339/.492 in 92 big league games. The system is otherwise light on impact position players, with Iorg the only Tigers farmhand widely projected by scouts to become an everyday player in the majors.

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