All eyes have been on Double-A Erie this season.
There, the Detroit Tigers’ rebuilding process reflects most optimistically, with perhaps the best starting rotation in the minor leagues and the organization’s best hitting prospect.
With five games left to play by Thursday afternoon, Erie – led by former Tiger and future major league manager Mike Rabelo – stands one game out of first place in the Eastern League’s Western Division.
For however unsightly the baseball has been this season in Detroit, however middling their talent is at Triple-A Toledo and however far away in Class A, the brightest of the Tigers’ farm system is at Erie.