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Recent roster moves at the major league level necessitated some moves down on the farm. The activity isn’t limited, however, to just filling in for Alfredo Figaro. Mike Rabelo hurt his knee and his immediate replacement was Angel Flores. He’s a bit over his head at the Triple A level, however, so the Tigers seem to have opted for somebody who will be a little more comfortable in Toledo, Max St. Pierre. Flores won’t just be going down to Erie, either. Andy Bouchie is being called up from Lakeland to fill the SeaWolves’ other catching spot and Flores will head back down to Lakeland.
In the linked article, Mark Anderson opines the shifting may indicate Rabelo will be out for a while. With the Hens going with Flores and then shifting this way, it seems like it will be longer than they originally expected. I’d usually be a bit dismissive of what looks like the shifting around of minor league backups, but St. Pierre has been hitting well for the SeaWolves. Considering the production the Hens had been getting from Robinzon Diaz and Mike Rabelo (i.e. awful), he could easily give them the best production from behind the plate they’ve had all season.
Now let’s get back to the moves associated with Alfredo Figaro’s callup. You’re probably well aware the move at the major league level was to send down Raburn and give the Tigers 13 pitchers. That move protected their overworked bullpen in case of an early exit from either Rick Porcello or Jeremy Bonderman on Wednesday. It also gives them some added options on Sunday.
The Hens getting Raburn should have a big impact on their lineup while he's down. He’s absolutely killed Triple A pitching the last couple years he’s been forced to face them. I mean he hits them like he’s been insulted and they’re the ones flinging the barbs. In 2007, he finished at .292/.394/.540 in 373 plate appearances. In 2008, he crushed them to the tune of .316/.435/.737 for the five games he was slumming. Last year, it was just 12 games and he hit .255/.357/.638. I assume he’ll do something similar for the ten days he’ll be with the Hens this time. Is this a sign of the Tigers downgrading Raburn’s standing with the team? I doubt it. Leyland suggested it was all about him having options remaining and I believe it. His getting hot against some unfortunate Triple A hurlers would be a nice side effect.
One thing Raburn won’t be able to do, however, is pitch. The Hens needed to fill his spot in the rotation so they went with L.J. Gagnier. He had probably been the Wolves’ most consistent starter this season and in six starts had posted the following numbers: 3-0, 2.83 ERA, 35 IP, 35 H, 5 HR, 8 BB, 28 K. Those are all fine numbers except for the homers, which were also a problem for him in Lakeland in 2009. He’ll have to hope he can keep up the other peripherals so the dingers don’t bury him.
With Gagnier gone from the Erie rotation, Anthony Shawler was called up from Lakeland. That’s an interesting move because while Shawler has been a spot starter from time to time in the past, all eleven of his apperances in 2010 had come as a reliever. He was superb in that role, though. In 18.2 innings, he struck out 15, gave up 15 hits, one walk, two runs and no homers. He also had multiple three inning appearances, so considering he’s been a part time starter before, that role isn’t really too much of a stretch.
In Lakeland, the Flying Tigers added Wilfredo Ramirez from extended spring training. He had 65 strikeouts against 7 walks in the VSL last year, but he also allowed 78 hits and 6 homers in 61 innings. We’ll see how he handles the fact that the VSL is a world away from the Florida State League in more ways than one.
The final move I’ll mention is the Tigers releasing Jason Waddell. He came into the organization last year after being released by the Cubs. He had been unimpressive for the Hens in his ten innings of work, both walking and striking out nine and allowing six runs.
UPDATE: It looks like the Tigers are going to be calling up Casper Wells. In the original version of this post, I was thinking Saturday would be the day none of the Tigers' regular pitchers could go. However, Willis is expected to make that start and Sunday is the day when the Tigers have to look elsewhere or turn to Bonderman or Porcello on short rest. I think they have proven they are not willing to do that.
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