Cameron Maybin's just about the best prospect we've had in my lifetime (unfortunately that's not saying too much...) so I figured he deserved his own thread outside of the minor league news thread. Here's a good article to get us started:

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060427&content_id=62063&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp


Maybin has tools, character for bigs
Former batboy now experiencing game as a player
• Cameron Maybin's statistics (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?clubs=&leagues=&t=s_pla&q=maybin&x=0&y=0)
• Shop for a West Michigan Whitecaps cap (http://shop.mlb.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=1756205&cp=2044320.2044320)


COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. -- Cameron Maybin still has a little batboy in him. He just has a little help with the bats now.

He's a 19-year-old just beginning his first season as a professional athlete, yet he's anything but overwhelmed. He watches and observes the field like he did as a kid fetching lumber for the Asheville Tourists. He's had everything from a season-opening hitting streak to a beanball at his head to a game-changing error, not to mention life as a well-paid young man, and hasn't appeared rattled by any of it.
He wants to blend into his first professional clubhouse just like any other player, even as he shows signs of being a potentially great player.
"I think he has absolutely wonderful tools and ability," Tigers director of player development Glenn Ezell said. "But I think his character is as good or better than his baseball skills."
The adjustment to life where baseball is a career can be difficult, from the level of play to simple homesickness. It can be tougher for a young man out of high school with the expectations of a future All-Star placed on his shoulders. Maybin, however, looks as if he has known what to expect, probably because he has seen it before.
"It's just baseball," Maybin said. "Just at a higher level."
Neither Ezell nor Whitecaps manager Matt Walbeck knew what to expect from Maybin until he made an impression during instructional ball last fall. The ability level was known. He was labeled a potential steal with the 10th overall pick in last June's First-Year Player Draft. His makeup, however, couldn't be ascertained. He was the second high school player taken, following top overall pick Justin Upton, and he had a lengthy contract negotiation that lasted into late September. What the Tigers knew was that Maybin badly wanted to play. The rest became evident by Spring Training.
His first official at-bat as a professional was an out, Walbeck said, but a valuable one. With a runner on second base and no outs, he grounded out to move the runner to third. Walbeck pointed it out to him later, and Maybin smiled. He got it.
The big hits weren't far behind. He went 2-for-4 with a triple, the first of four consecutive two-hit games on his way to a seven-game hitting streak. His 0-for-3 performance on Wednesday night against Kane County was just his third hitless outing in 18 games this season, finally dropping him out of the Midwest League's top 10 in batting average.
The power that was on display in Florida this spring has yet to really show itself up north. Yet despite just one home run, his .521 slugging percentage entering Thursday ranked fifth in the league, mainly thanks to a league-leading four triples as well as four doubles. He's struggling with strikeouts, but it's an adjustment many first-year hitters have to make.
The hits, ironically, have come off the bats of the guy with whom Maybin was most often compared entering the draft. His friendship with Ken Griffey Jr. has continued as a pro, with Griffey providing him some bats with which to start out. His only advice, Maybin said, was to make sure he has fun.
Like most Tigers officials, Walbeck had heard about Maybin's power. He did not anticipate the speed and baserunning instincts until he saw Maybin and his long stride take a triple in Spring Training on a gapper that did not reach the outfield fence in left-center.
"He has legged out triples where it's been bang-bang at third on balls that a lot of players would have shut it down rounding second. He's very aggressive on the bases. He has Major League baserunning skills." -- Matt Walbeck on
Cameron Maybin
"He has legged out triples where it's been bang-bang at third on balls that a lot of players would have shut it down rounding second," Walbeck said. "He's very aggressive on the bases. He has Major League baserunning skills."
He's just as instinctive in center field, Walbeck added, where he already moves with the counts and has an idea of where he should be. Those are intangibles usually gained through experience rather than teaching.
Some of it comes from playing baseball since age three. Though he comes from an athletic family that has had two professional basketball players, notably cousin Rashad McCants, Maybin's father Rudy remembers him always drawn to baseball.
With that history, being a batboy was a natural summer job, but it doubled as career training. Rudy Maybin wanted his son to enjoy it, but he also wanted him to learn. He wanted Cameron to watch the players and see the ones that had the drive to be better. He also wanted him to listen and watch the interaction between coaches and players.
"I think it helped out a lot, as far as watching the guys who went about it the right way and how you should come to the field prepared," Cameron Maybin said. "I learned early that it's a business, it's a grind."
One of the most important parts of the first professional season, Ezell said, is finding a daily routine that works. Though the Tigers help, eventually it's up to the player. Maybin said his biggest adjustment is the physical preparation to keep his body in shape over a long season. Mentally, he already seems to be learning it.
When Maybin was hit by a pitch in the back of the neck, a pitch many believe was on purpose, team officials worried whether he would flinch on inside pitches. Instead, he approached the plate the same way. When a dropped fly ball in the late innings helped put the deciding run on third base in a loss, he came out the next day unaffected. He followed Walbeck's instructions for all players: It's OK to make mistakes if you try to learn from them.
"It's baseball. You have 100-plus games to make up for it," he said. "There's always tomorrow. The game of baseball is a game of failure. If you let it get to you, it's hard to bounce back."
It's very possible Maybin will spend most if not all of those games at West Michigan while he learns the routine. By then, he'll need another supply of lumber. The former batboy, ironically, will run low on bats. He's already having a ball. Jason Beck (jason.beck@mlb.com) is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Catch the fever:


Waiting for Stardom

Tigers' No. 1 prospect is in good hands with host family
May 14, 2006

BY JON PAUL MOROSI
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER


http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=C4&Date=20060514&Category=SPORTS02&ArtNo=605140675&Ref=AR&Profile=1050&MaxW=233&Border=1
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Carmen Cox checks on Maybin, left and pitcher Sendy Vasquez. "Your goal is to provide an environment that lets them focus on baseball," Cox says of hosting.
Meet Cameron Maybin

Age: 19.

Drafted: First round, 10th overall in 2005.

Position:

Outfielder.

Birthplace: Asheville, N.C.

Ht./Wt.:

6-4, 205.

Bats/throws: Right.

Statistics: Leads the Class A West Michigan Whitecaps in batting (.330), and fifth in the Midwest League. Has 19 RBIs, six stolen bases and one homer in 27 games through Thursday.

THINGS

TO KNOW


Cousin of Rashad McCants (Minnesota Timberwolves).


Starred in hoops at Asheville (N.C.) T.C. Roberson and received recruiting letters from Kansas and Appalachian State. Averaged 20 points per game as a junior and broke the school steals record. And how many dunks per game? "A bunch," he says.


His father, Rudy, 46, stays in shape by swimming. "Everyone says he looks like my brother," Maybin says.
What they're saying about Cameron Maybin


Brian Hiler, manager of recruiting, scheduling, and travel for the Midland Redskins, the Cincinnati-based summer team for which Maybin played in 2003 and 2004: "As soon as we saw him, we thought, 'We have Ken Griffey Jr. all over again.' ... If I had to compare, I'd say he's a cross between Andre Dawson and Vladimir Guerrero. Maybin's got a great arm. It looks like he's just kind of flipping the ball, but he's got a rocket on his shoulder. There's no doubt in our minds that, barring injury, if he stays on course, he's going to help Detroit in a hurry.

"He's great, just a kid who always has a smile on his face. He's very respectful, very courteous. He loved spending time with my son and daughter. ... A lot of times you didn't even know he was in the house. Then you got to the food pantry and saw it was empty. He's not bashful when it comes to meals, eating, or cooking. He was just like a son. When he said he'd be home, he'd be home. He always took care of himself."


Tom Rosenbaum, his host parent while he was living in Cincinnati: "I heard about him probably in his sophomore year. There was word that there was this guy at TC Roberson High School (N.C.), who'd be graduating in a couple years. He was certainly well known."


Bill Buck, Tigers' area scout: "He plays the game the way we want it to be played. He plays hard. He's intelligent. He makes adjustments as the game goes on. He wants to go out and learn as much as he can. That's the kind of player you dream about getting."


Gene Roof, Tigers' outfield/baserunning instructor: "He's handled everything, all the autograph requests, with poise and humility. He's been a lot of fun to be around. And he's a great teammate. ... He's been very good in the clubhouse. He doesn't see himself as better or worse than the other guys. He just goes about his business. I think it helped him, being a batboy in Asheville (his hometown, with the Class A Tourists). He fits right in."

ROCKFORD -- His room is up the stairs, straight a few paces and on the left. His bed is made, his walls bare. His suitcases are stacked in the corner, as if at any moment he might have to pack and leave -- which, of course, he might.
For now, though, this is home for Cameron Maybin. He lives with a host family in a year-old subdivision of this rolling, sprawling Grand Rapids suburb. He is 19 years old, one year removed from high school. These quarters -- much like his stint with the Class A West Michigan Whitecaps -- are a mere layover on the starry itinerary that will, almost certainly, include a celebrated arrival at Comerica Park.
Until then, he needs time. And he needs space.
He has both here.
Maybin was Detroit's first-round draft pick last year, 10th overall. The collective ascent of Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya has left him as the most celebrated prospect still in the Tigers' farm system.
He is a genuine five-tooler, a marvel in centerfield who trusts his impeccable instincts and immense ability. His stroke is so smooth you could firebrand "LINE DRIVE TO LEFT-CENTER" onto the barrel of his bat.
Then there are his best traits: He loves baseball. And he is motivated, and able, to be great at it.
He's one of the first Whitecaps to arrive at Fifth Third Ballpark in nearby Comstock Park each day, as early as 1 or 2 p.m. for a night game. Then he lingers until only a few souls remain. He relishes those moments in the clubhouse after each game, when he can pick at his dinner and talk with his teammates about the contest.
"I don't like to rush," he says of his patient, contemplative routine. "There's nothing else I need to do. Why hurry?"
When he finally leaves the ballpark, he ducks into his navy blue Dodge Magnum -- purchased at a dealership near his parents' home in Asheville, N.C. -- and breezes up US-131. The commute is short, maybe 10 or 15 minutes. Then he arrives here, at the home where two busy businesspeople -- Dave and Carmen Cox -- have made him feel welcome.
"They've been great," Maybin says.
Who wants to host a millionaire?
The Whitecaps pair their players with host families. The concept is not exclusive to baseball. This is a normal way of life for itinerant young hockey players. Maybin, though, is unique. First, there is his seven-figure signing bonus. Then there is his aura as an elite player, the likes of which West Michigan fans have rarely witnessed at home.
"For 19, he's the best I've seen," said Matt Walbeck, the Whitecaps manager and former Tiger.
That prompts a few questions:
How do you feed a millionaire?
How do you take care of the Tigers' $2.65-million investment?
How do you act in the presence of a teenager who Gene Roof, the Tigers' outfield coordinator, calls the "best position player" to come through the organization in the past two decades?
Ask the Coxes.
To them, Maybin is part of the family. Just like Gibbs Wilson, the other Whitecaps player staying with them this season. Just like Dallas Trahern, the right-handed pitcher who spent last season here and still calls and visits. Just like Jair Jurrjens, the Curacao native who made the Midwest League All-Star team last season. And just like Dan Konecny, who has since been released by the Tigers and is out of baseball.
Konecny still calls, too.
"It's like a second family," Carmen Cox says. "When they leave, it's like saying good-bye to your kids when they go to college -- but you know you'll never see them again."
Many West Michigan players are in their first or second professional seasons. Some are new to the United States. Most are young enough that the notion of a full, 140-game baseball season is new -- and somewhat daunting. That explains the Cox family's role.
The job of a Midwest League player is difficult enough -- long bus trips, dinner at roadside gas stations, games almost every day -- without having to worry about groceries and rent checks.
"Your goal," Carmen says, "is to provide an environment that lets them focus on baseball."
In this case, peace of mind extends to Asheville, N.C., where Rudy and Renee Maybin wonder what their young son -- who happens to be rich, handsome and absurdly talented -- is doing from night to night, game to game.
"We're grateful," Rudy Maybin says. "He's still kind of vulnerable. I like the idea of him being with a host family."
Feasting on more than fastballs
After the Whitecaps' loss to the Burlington Bees last Saturday, a hungry convoy left the ballpark and snaked through the hills. Carmen (kitchen CEO) and Dave (grill master) had invited the entire West Michigan roster, along with a few other guests, to enjoy a springtime cookout.
This made Maybin something of a host for the day. After all, the team was at his home, however arbitrary that distinction may be.
"It's kinda weird," he confesses. "I don't know what this is. I guess it's a team barbeque."
The smorgasbord -- 18 pounds of ribs, 18 pounds of chicken, six pounds of fruit -- was fit for a wedding reception. In this endeavor, at least, the Whitecaps swept. At the end, Carmen's serving plate included one bone and half a chicken breast. A casserole had vaporized, too.
"The only thing they didn't do," she says, "was lick the spoon."
Amid the feeding frenzy, though, Maybin squeezed in a quiet moment with his host mother. They talked about baseball -- he always likes to do that -- and he mentioned that he was feeling a little head congestion. They wondered if it was the weather, allergies or a cold.
It was the type of conversation any son might have with his parent. And it was a fine illustration of why Rudy Maybin is so comfortable with the idea of his son spending a summer here.
Cameron Maybin is settling into his life in professional baseball, even as his luggage looms in the corner. He has not tucked those bags away yet. He'll move eventually, but probably not too soon. He understands that. And he understands why.
"I know the process," he says. "I just play. Hopefully I'll get my wish at the end, you know?"
Yes, we know. He has to know, too. Most everyone, in fact, seems to have a pretty good idea of where this young career is heading.
Contact JON PAUL MOROSI at 313-223-4097 or jmorosi@freepress.com (jmorosi@freepress.com).

I was thinking he batted lefty with some of the Jr. comparisons. Guess not.

I checked him out last week, the whole place was chanting "MAAAY-BIN" as soon as he'd walk out the dugout. His eyes got huge as he looked around laughing, wondering what our deal was, made me realize what a kid he was.

I think he's on the DL right now. But yea, huge upside.

What are the odds of the Tigers trading Cameron Maybin for any major players at the trading deadline? And are there any other American League prospects you think might be traded? -- Mike, Kansas City

Jonathan: I would put the odds of Cameron Maybin being traded at absolutely zero.

Lisa: Maybe less than that.

Mike, KC: How long before you think he makes the Majors then?

Jonathan: Let's see. He's in the Midwest League, he missed some time with injury. ... I'm going to say Opening Day 2009, maybe a little bit earlier. Lisa?

Lisa: I'm trying to do the math. Let's say they send him to Lakeland next year. They're not going to (move him as quickly) as Justin Verlander because they didn't need to be as cautious with a college player. Let's say three levels in 2 1/2 years. I'd say 2009 sounds about right.

Jonathan: You're not going to see teams trade a first-round pick they just drafted, especially a guy like Maybin, who could've gone anywhere in the top 10 and is just a tremendous all-around talent.

Lisa: Plus, the rule is something like you can't trade a guy for a year after he signs.

I have a question about Maybin. I was checking his stats so far, and it looks good. He's batting .314 with an OBP of .412. He has a fairly impressive 16 SB, even more impressive considering his injury forced him to miss 1/3 of the games so far.

But wasn't he supposed to have power as well? He only has 3 HR so far. He has 4 triples and 12 doubles, and most of those likely have more to do with speed than power. So was I wrong about the power numbers, is it due to his injury, or is he being coached on a new swing?

I have a question about Maybin. I was checking his stats so far, and it looks good. He's batting .314 with an OBP of .412. He has a fairly impressive 16 SB, even more impressive considering his injury forced him to miss 1/3 of the games so far.

But wasn't he supposed to have power as well? He only has 3 HR so far. He has 4 triples and 12 doubles, and most of those likely have more to do with speed than power. So was I wrong about the power numbers, is it due to his injury, or is he being coached on a new swing?

Couple reasons Jeth.

1, he has a body that can be built for power, but remember he's only a lanky 18 year old now. Like, say, Darko, the scouts can tell from his frame that he'll be able to carry a lot of strength but it may take 3-6 years to realize his physical potential.
2, The MWL is primarily a pitchers league and 5/3rd is a pitchers park. I don't think anyone on the team has much more 10 jacks yet so its not as if he's not keeping up with his peers. I'd expect him to land in Erie next year and get double digits easily.

Thanks for the take Herm.

BBA now rates him as the hottest prosepect in the minors.


http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/hotsheet/261902.html

While Sanchez is colling off - and Hernandez is rocking his 2nd cycle of the season, Cameron Maybin's accomplishments are being overlooked. He went 4-4 tonight extending his hitting streak to 8 games. Over that stretch he has gone 14-32 (.438) with 10 runs and 5 RBI. He's up to .328 now with 5 HR and 22 SB in 67 games.
Do you think he's at Erie next season? Maybe half a year? Toledo by the end of the year, maybe even a September call-up to the League? I'm guessing he's in Spring Training with the big boys next season and really could end up just about anywhere if he plays well there. It will be very interesting to watch his ascent through the system.

While Sanchez is colling off - and Hernandez is rocking his 2nd cycle of the season, Cameron Maybin's accomplishments are being overlooked. He went 4-4 tonight extending his hitting streak to 8 games. Over that stretch he has gone 14-32 (.438) with 10 runs and 5 RBI. He's up to .328 now with 5 HR and 22 SB in 67 games.
Do you think he's at Erie next season? Maybe half a year? Toledo by the end of the year, maybe even a September call-up to the League? I'm guessing he's in Spring Training with the big boys next season and really could end up just about anywhere if he plays well there. It will be very interesting to watch his ascent through the system.

2-4 with a double, a run and an RBI tonight means 9 game hit streak (.444 over that span) and now hitting .331 for the season.

I've missed the last few games, but going back and looking at the box scores Maybin has continued his hit streak and in today's game (Sunday) he had a double to extend the streak to 12 games now. He also stole his 24th base of the season.

Maybin went 0-4 with a walk tonight, ending his hitting streak.

In the next game after ending the hitting streak, Maybin got a couple more hits including his 6th HR of the year, a solo shot that proved to be the game winning run.
As a note, that means Maybin hit in 13 of the last 14 games.
Similar stretch, the Whitecaps are on a tear as a team as well, having won 12 of their 13 games and now holding a 6.5 game lead over the next best team in low class A. Sadly, the three teams above them in the farm system (Toledo, Erie and Lakeland) combine to have a total of one team BELOW them in their respective divisions. That's right, a Toledo team 3rd out of 4 in their division and 2 last place teams. Good news? The teams below the Whitecaps (Oneonta and the rookie GCL team) are respectively 4th out of 14 teams and 1st. Bottom line: the Tigers have a ton of winning talent at the bottom level of the organization, and their the best in baseball at the major league level, but there is a heavy gap in between. Let's hope the big league club can stay at or near the top for a few years without needing much help from the minors. After that, the prospects will be ready.

You know what all that really tells me? Dombrowski and Chadd are really that good. Dombrowski has put together an amazing team in the major leagues and Chadd, who I think has only been in charge of the draft 2 or 3 years tops, is getting it done. It's the guy before him that drafted most of the players that make up to AAA, AA and high A rosters.

Ok, now back to Maybin before I close my thoughts. Through 73 games I'm impressed by his speed (5 triples, 24 SB), his fielding (1 E) and his average (.328, 39 walks are decent as well combing to give him an OBP of .413), I still have concerns. For someone still developing their power (6 HR in 73 games), he strikes out a ton (87 strikeouts, compared to 90 hits). I hate strikeouts, but I hate them even more when they come from a guy that isn't going to hit 25+ HR in a season. Hopefully he'll improve in that area in the next year and a half or so. I know, I'm being picky and it's amazing he's already this good.

Well, those AA and AAA teams would look a whole lot better if they had Bonderman, Verlander, Zumaya, Ledezma, Miner, and Granderson added to the mix, but I get what you mean. There's a huge lack of positional prospects in the organization right now, which is a significant concern.

Maybin has really improved on the strikeouts in the second half of the season, at least from my observations at the park, an article I read on the subject, and checking the boxscores. Getting that fixed has been a big part of his increased BA and run production as his speed give him an opportunity to get on base even off routine grounders.

I think Maybin struck out 3 times in last night's game. That's actually what got me looking at his strikeout numbers in the first place. If it is, in fact, something he has been improving on already, that's very good to know.

From Jim Callis' ESPN.com chat:

David (Michigan): The Tigers love Cameron Maybin so much, that they weren't willing to trade him straight up for Alfonso Soriano. How good can Cameron Maybin be?

Jim Callis: (2:37 PM ET ) Cameron Maybin might just be the best player in the minor leagues right now. He can be a superstar in all facets of the game.


david, tampa: delmon young or maybin

Jim Callis: (2:52 PM ET ) Give me Maybin.


Bob (Omaha): One year later, the best prospect of the 2005 draft class is?

Jim Callis: (3:04 PM ET ) Cameron Maybin.

Well alrighty then. By the way, he has a .008 lead for the league batting title with a month to go.

Wednesday's game for Maybin = 1-4 with a K, but he also stole another base.

Stars shine on Maybin: When a Major League club president is already gushing about you as a 19-year-old in Class A, chances are you've been pretty impressive.

Meet Cameron Maybin, an outfielder for Class A West Michigan, who's impressed Detroit president/general manager Dave Dombrowski so much in the first three months of his professional career that Dombrowski didn't hide his feelings when speaking with members of the media minutes after Monday's trade deadline. Dombrowski said one of the reasons left fielder Alfonso Soriano did not become a Tiger was that the Nationals demanded Maybin be included in any and all packages. He countered by saying he wouldn't trade Maybin for Soriano straight up.

"We liked Soriano a lot ... he would've fit our team," Dombrowski said. "But we like Cameron Maybin a great deal, and it shows just how much we like him. Cameron Maybin has the potential to be a [Justin Verlander] type of player, as a hitter. He has the potential to be that kind of player, he still has to do it.

"He can play center field, he hits for power ... it's just going to keep coming. He's the total package. He might play in the big leagues in another year for all I know."

Maybin currently leads the first-half champion Class A Whitecaps and the entire Midwest League with a .388 (46-for-122) average. Over his past 32 games alone, Maybin has banged out six doubles, a triple and four home runs, and has 23 RBIs and 26 runs scored.

"He's got it all," Leyland said. "And he's got a good head on his shoulders. He's got Major League written all over him."

Baseball Prospectus' CF Rankings:

1. Cameron Maybin, Tigers

Age: 19.4 Hitting: .320/.401/.477 in 79 G (A-)

Drafting sixth overall this year and tenth overall in 2005, the Tigers have been able to add lefthander Andrew Miller and Maybin to the system because where other teams see signability problems, Detroit's front office sees an opportunity to move up. While Detroit knew they were getting a top-of-the-line athlete in Maybin, they've been pleasantly suprised by the maturity in his game. Maybin is a natural hitter who draws walks and knows how to utilize his plus speed on the basepaths, as he's successful in 25 of 28 stolen base attempts and has been clocked at 4.1 seconds to first base despite a sizeable 6-foot-3, 200 pound frame. Maybin's still learning how to hit breaking balls and his swing can get long, as evidenced by 94 strikeouts in 300 at-bats. While he hasn't shown much power yet, he's capable of mammoth shots in batting practice and scouts are nearly universal in believing that the power will begin to show up in game situations once he learns how drive pitches. The definition of a five-tool talent, Maybin is already very good and only going to get better. Detroit makes it hard to get excited on a statistical level about prospects as they are nearly always in pitcher's leagues and pitcher's parks, but don't be fooled. This is an elite talent by any measurement.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5411

More BP on Maybin:


Cameron Maybin led off yesterday's center field rankings, so he'll pull double duty by leading off today's scouting notebook as well. The 10th overall pick in last year's draft has had an outstanding year in his full-season debut, batting .320/.401/.477 for Low Class A West Michigan, and one American League scout who recently caught Maybin walked away very impressed. "He can run... real fast," said the scout. "He has two styles almost, in that he rockets down the line, and when going from first to third he takes these big loping strides." Despite the impressive statistics, the scout saw plenty of room for improvement, particularly in the power department, as Maybin has just six home runs in 300 at-bats. "He's raw, but the power is going to come with his kind of size," he added. "There are some holes in his swing, but once he learns how to let the ball get deep into the strike zone and trust his hands, he'll hit plenty of balls out."
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5414&PHPSESSID=abd89c1a5b93877eca91a7e37d347606

Where will Cameron Maybin end up next year, in Triple-A Toledo or Double-A Erie?
-- Jeremy F., Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Good question. I'm not sure yet whether or not he'll skip Class A Lakeland. He might at least start out there so that he can avoid the cold weather and early season rainouts that can happen in the Eastern League. He could either start out at Erie or get there relatively quickly, but I don't believe there's any scenario where he'd start out at Toledo.


Curtis Granderson has been a good center fielder, relatively decent at the plate for a young player and a good team player. How does the emergence of Maybin figure into Granderson's future in center field and the Tigers' roster over the next three years? Are general manager Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland projecting Granderson to have power in a couple years?
-- Dave L., Jackson, Mich.

This was by far the best question of the week, and it's a decision the Tigers will have to make down the road: Is it Granderson or Maybin who fits in best in center field at Comerica Park? By all reports of Maybin's athletic ability, he has plenty of talent to play there. But then, Nook Logan's speed should have made him a better center fielder than Granderson, but Granderson more than made up the difference with his instincts and his reads.

What makes the debate easier is that it's not necessarily an either-or situation. Whoever doesn't start regularly in center would probably take one of the corner spots. And yes, the Tigers expect that Granderson will hit for decent power in the coming years. In that sense, Leyland compared him a little bit to Barry Bonds, though not to the same magnitude.

Tigers Top Prospect Cameron Maybin Joins Erie

The Detroit Tigers announced today that their 2005 first round draft pick (10th overall), Cameron Maybin, has been added to Erie’s roster from Class-A Lakeland.

Maybin is currently ranked the top prospect in the Detroit Tigers organization according to Baseball America.

In 83 games with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, Maybin batted .304 with 10 home runs and 44 RBI. He was the eighth best hitter in the Florida State League. Maybin also collected 14 doubles and five triples to go along with 43 walks and 25 stolen bases. His .393 on-base percentage ranked third in the FSL.

Maybin was tabbed the Tigers Minor League Player of the Year following the 2006 season with the Midwest League champion West Michigan WhiteCaps. He finished fifth in the MWL with a .304 average and was named the league’s “Prospect of the Year.”
http://www.seawolves.com/seawolves-news/2007/08/tigers-top-prospect-cameron-maybin-joins-erie

I saw in the Free Press article that apparently Dombrowski said there is no chance that he'll be called up in September when the roster expands. Shame.

When Erie's season ends he's expected to play either for Team USA or the Arizona Fall League affiliate.

I saw in the Free Press article that apparently Dombrowski said there is no chance that he'll be called up in September when the roster expands. Shame.

When Erie's season ends he's expected to play either for Team USA or the Arizona Fall League affiliate.

What if Monroe gets hit by a car on my way, I mean someones way to the game tomorrow?

In 3 games so far for Erie he's hitting .400 with 3 HR's, 4 RBI's, 6 Runs and 3 walks.

Can he pitch?

He's 6'4", so at that size he probably did at one point (high school?).

Are you doubting Bazardo?

He homered again yesterday in a 2-4 showing. In 5 games now he has 4 homers, 8 RBI, a .471 Avg, .609 OBP and a 1.235 slugging. The Eastern League (home of Erie) is still supposed to be a pitchers' league but not as bad as the midwest league (where he was before) so he's clearly taking advantage of the opportunity to show a little more power now.