10 thoughts on “Tigers Non Roster Invitee List”

1. I see Ryan Raburn listed as an OF and even on the Toledo roster he’s now listed as an OF but his Toledo bio has him listed at 2B. I thought he was a 2B — did I miss something? Given the surplus of middle infielders at the parent club, did he or the team decide to switch him?

2. Only one month to go!
   I don’t think any of these non-roster guys will crack the 25 man. Though give Maybin and Jurrjin a bit more time…

   Quite a change from past years when Tiger fans would mine each collection of stiffs for any glimmer of hope.

   Tigs seem pretty set going into Spring Trainng barring some zany trade.

3. Re: Raburn, he was a second baseman up until last year. I heard his infield defense wasn’t up to snuff. I don’t know how he fielded as an outfielder, but he did post an 842 OPS so he at least has the stick for the position (at least at AAA).

4. Even though Shelton lost his stroke in ’06, when they brought him up in ’05 he really looked good and I think thats the could put up better #s than what Adrian Gonzalez did last year. What do you think billfer?

   Also when do you think Clevlen will start, considering how toolsey he is? Maybe next year if (g-d forbid) Maggs or Shef become injured?

5. I hope Shelton can get his swing back. I’ve argued here before that even if Shelton hits like he did post-April, his fielding is enough of an upgrade over Casey that they’d be better off with Shelton.

   As for Clevlen, there isn’t a lot of room for him right now – certainly not as a backup. He needs to be getting regular at-bats so barring an injury, as you mentioned, he’s probably in AAA.

   His defense is outstanding, but last year he had significant problems making contact. We’ve seen he can hit (2005), but he had a rough time adapting to AA last year.

6. I loved seeing Brent jack a few of those balls out of the park last year. We all will keep a sharp eye on him. In the meantime, what a treat it would be for Chris to find the stroke again. No, I don’t think anyone on the non-roster list will be of the “25” but it’s going to be a GREAT year for the Tigers in 2007! That computer program that concluded we would be 83-79 has got to have a few loose chips floating around in it. I just wonder if we can get 100!
   GO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   (PS – thanks Bill, for the regular, top-knotch, updates! It sure does make Winter go faster!)

7. I honestly don’t think Maybin is far off, to be honest. This is hingent on how well he adapts to High A or Doulbe-A (where ever he starts at) but I could see a possible September call-up. Everything about him is big league ready physically and if he has a very good half to 3/4ths of a year and moves from Lakeland to Erie quickly (first month or two) it’s very possible he comes up when the rosters expand.

   Also, Shelton did have a good 05, but he also fell off the table in the last part of 2005. It’s just that, like in 2006, a scorching hot start hid his terrible slide by the end of the year. At this point, I’m not sure this is much different from Carlos Pena all over again, except for the fact that Pena was left handed and slick fielding.

8. “last year he had significant problems making contact…rough time adapting to AA last year.” I’m not sure but he has claimed over and over again that the quality of lighting in most minor league ballparks is spotty, and blames his high strikeout total/poor contact on that.

   And I realize its hard to judge guys like Shelton or Clevlen who have limited time in the Majors, but as you said his defense is outstanding and (I would compair his arm to Higgi’s in his prime) and both showed their ability to hit so I doubt either will turn into Cpain.

   P.S. Is he still with boston?

9. According to MLB.com Carlos Pena is not listed with any team.

10. I am a little curious as to how well Felix Heredia could do. For a while, he was considered a pretty good pitcher, and hes a left hander, so you never know.

    Was he on Leylan’d’s team that won the 1997 W.S.?

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