IBC

The Tigers' four best pitching prospects (if you exclude Philip Hughes as a pitching prospect) are featured on the World staff:

Carlos Carrasco rhp
Reading Phillies (Double-A/Phillies)

He features a 90-92 mph fastball and one of the best changeups in the organization, and before his promotion to Double-A he had a three-game stretch when he yielded eight hits and one run over 24 innings while striking out 20 at high Class A Clearwater.

Deolis Guerra rhp

He didn't begin to dominate until this season, when he added the five miles an hour to his fastball--up to 95 mph--that his 6-foot-5 frame suggested he would. Yet the most impressive thing about Guerra might be that he turned 18 just this season.

Franklin Morales lhp

A lefthanded power pitcher, Morales throws mid- to high-90s heat and complements it with a sharp curveball. In the last three years, he has grown three inches, which has helped boost the quality of his stuff. Morales gets an above-average number of strikeouts and groundballs and has all the elements.

Henry Sosa rhp

The latest power arm in a Giants system that specializes in producing pitchers, Sosa emerged this season by dominating the South Atlantic League with a fastball that reaches 97-98 mph and a hard curveball that he has learned to throw for strikes.

Other IBC Tigers participating for the Foreigners:

Max Ramirez, C
Gorkys Hernandez, CF

Houston is only sending three to the futures game after having Lincecum, Pence and Bailey graduate to the MLB:


Collin Balester RHP
Harrisburg Senators (Double-A/Nationals)

The surfer turned pitcher has risen rapidly through the minors and is one of the centerpieces as Washington looks to rebuild its farm system. Balester throws a low- to mid-90s fastball and an above-average curveball and is working to develop a changeup as a third out pitch. He still needs to improve location of his pitches to break through to the big leagues.



Brian Bocock SS
San Jose Giants (High A/Giants)

In an organization stockpiled with middle-infield speedsters, Bocock has emerged as perhaps the best this season. A solid defender with above-average range and a strong arm, he earned a promotion to the California League after stealing 26 bases in 34 attempts for low Class A Augusta. He's remained solid in the field, going 23 games without an error between the two levels, while getting comfortable at the plate.


Craig Stansberry 2b
Portland Beavers (Triple-A/Padres)

Claimed on waivers from the Pirates last December, Stansberry, who was born Dammam, Saudi Arabia, has adjusted nicely to his new organization. With speed, some power, outstanding instincts for the game and a good glove at both second and third base, Stansberry has what it takes to be a big league utility player, or maybe more.