Detroit Tigers Prospects: Matt Manning Named to FanGraphs Top 100 List
By Matt Snyder
Detroit Tigers starting pitching prospect Matt Manning was the only player from the organization to make FanGraphs’ Top 100 prospect list.
The Detroit Tigers have made it known that they intend to re-form their roster with younger, cheaper talent in the coming years. That’s all well and good, but the Tigers don’t have a lot in the way of prospect depth at the moment.
FanGraphs released their top 100 prospects list for the 2017 season this week, and the Tigers were able to place just one player into that grouping of elite prospects.
Matt Manning, the club’s top draft pick from 2016, checks in at No. 56 overall with a future value grade of 55. Here’s what lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen had to say about Manning back in December.
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"His fastball sits 93-96 and will touch as high as 98. He has a projectable frame and should at least add enough mass to counterbalance a heavier pro workload and retain his prep velocity — and perhaps has enough room to add velocity into his 20s…There’s considerable ceiling here but of course there’s also considerable risk. Manning has a chance to be a No. 2 or 3 starter if everything clicks."
Manning debuted in the Gulf Coast League as an 18-year old last season and made 10 appearances. He struck out 46 batters and walked just seven in 29.1 innings of work.
The Tigers are often aggressive with the assignments of their prospects, so Manning could very well begin the 2017 season in full-season ball at single-A West Michigan. That would have him following the same path as Beau Burrows, the club’s top pick from 2015.
At only 19 years of age, Manning is a long way from the major leagues. But the Tigers hope he can develop into a cornerstone of the rotation for years to come.
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Outfielder Christian Stewart didn’t make the Top 100, but he’s listed as having been in consideration. Stewart’s defensive limitations might prevent him from developing into even a serviceable corner outfielder so he could end up as a designated hitter down the road. Still, he has the power (30 home runs in 128 minor league games in 2016) to potentially provide value at that position.