Toledo — While the unheralded big-league pitching staff has been unexpectedly stellar for the Tigers this season, a more expected development has been the starts posted by prospective members of future Detroit staffs.
The last four Tigers top draft picks all started their seasons strong on opening weekend for the minor leagues, combining for just one earned run in 20 innings.
Toledo’s Beau Burrows, Double-A Erie’s Matt Manning and Alex Faedo, and High-A Lakeland’s Casey Mize combined for 27 strikeouts. Along with the injured Franklin Perez — who is out a few weeks to start this season with shoulder tendinitis — the right-handers represent the inner-core of the Tigers system.