THE PITCHERS:TOMMY COLLIER (RHP) 2014 – Eastern League Pitcher of the Week (June 30-July 6) ... split time between Lakeland (9 GS, 3-3, 3.80) and Erie (17 GS, 4-7, 5.88) ... 2013 – started season in Lakeland (13 GS, 4-3, 4.35) ... made one start at AA Erie (1-0, 5.40) ... 2012 – West Michigan Player of the Year ... Midwest League mid-season all-star team ... Midwest League Pitcher of the Week (May 28-June 3) ... Tigers Minor League Gold Glove Winner ... 24 GS, 9-8, 2.74 ... 2011 – started seven games at Connecticut (4-1, 1.85) ... HOW OBTAINED: 22nd round pick by Detroit in 2011 out of San Jacinto College North (Texas) ... also drafted by Toronto in 49th round of 2009 draft, but did not sign.
MATT DAVENPORT (RHP) 2014 – pitched in 65 games at West Michigan (5-6, 2.92) with six starts and three saves ... 2013 – began season in Connecticut (4 G, 1-1, 2.51, 1 SV) ... appeared in 13 games for Lakeland (1-1, 3.81, 1 SV) ... 2012 – pitched in 16 games for Connecticut (2-1, 0.77 ERA, 1 SV) ... HOW OBTAINED – 34th round pick by Detroit in 2012 out of the College of William & Mary ... COLLEGE: Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year ... two-time All-CAA ... 7-5, 1.73 ERA, 90 K in 17 games as a senior.
CALVIN DRUMMOND (RHP) 2014 – appeared in 35 games for Lakeland (3-3, 3.97, 1 SV) ... 2013 – began season with GCL Tigers (1-0, 0.00) ... pitched in 23 games for West Michigan (3-2, 2.23, 1 SV) ... HOW OBTAINED – 6th round pick of Detroit in 2013 out of Arizona Christian University (but did not play) ... 2012 – drafted by Oakland in 39th round but did not sign .... COLLEGE – played 2011-12 seasons at Univ. of San Diego after redshirting in 2010 ... played JuCo ball at Orange Coast Community College as a freshman in 2009 helping Pirates to state title.
JULIO FELIX (RHP) 2014 – appeared in 44 games for West Michigan (3-2, 3.38, 13 SV) ... 2013 – split time between Connecticut (15 APP, 3-2, 3.55) and West Michigan (22 APP, 0-3, 4.59) ... 2012 – began season in GCL (17 APP, 4-2, 4.11, 2 SV) ... pitched in 1 game for Lakeland (0-0, 9.00) ... HOW OBTAINED: 12th round pick by Detroit in 2012 out of Pima Community College in Arizona.
CONFESOR LARA (RHP) 2014 – pitched one game in GCL (1-0, 0.00) ... appeared in 13 games (3 GS) at Connecticut (2-2, 2.70 ERA) ... 2013 – started 11 games in GCL (3-2, 3.76) ... 2012 – DSL Tigers Pitcher of the Year ... named to DSL midseason all-star team ... led DSL with 17 saves ... appeared in 26 games in Dominican Summer League (0-1, 0.93, 16 SV) ... 2011 – batted .198 in 57 games ... 2010 – batted .177 in 61 games ... HOW OBTAINED – signed by Detroit as a non-drafted free agent in 2010.
RYAN LONGSTRETH (LHP) 2014 – began season in West Michigan (7 APP, 0-1, 2.08) ... appeared in 16 games (1 GS) for Lakeland (0-2, 2.27) ... 2013 – did not play (injured) ... 2012 – pitched in the GCL (11 APP, 3-0, 3.07) and at Connecticut (9 APP 2 GS, 0-1, 6.23) ... HOW OBTAINED – 40th round pick by Detroit in 2012 out of Central Michigan University.
JONATHAN MACIEL (RHP) 2014 – Midwest League Pitcher of the Week (Aug. 18-24) ... pitched in 27 games (20 GS) at West Michigan (6-8, 4.07) ... 91 K in 128.1 IP ... 2013 – pitched in 17 games (1 GS) for Connecticut (4-1, 2.79) and 5 games for West Michigan (0-0, 6.00) ... HOW OBTAINED – 18th round pick by Detroit in 2013 out of Cal State Long Beach.
ZAC REININGER (RHP) 2014 – appeared in 33 games for West Michigan (3-3, 2.54, 11 SV) ... 2013 – Connecticut Pitcher of the Year ... selected to New York-Penn League midseason all-star team ... led NYPL with 10 saves... pitched in 22 games (1 GS) for Connecticut (1-2, 1.00, 10 SV) ... HOW OBTAINED – 8th round pick by Detroit in 2013 out of Hill Junior College in Texas ... NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American.
MONTREAL ROBERTSON (RHP)2014 – appeared in 43 games for West Michigan (6-5, 3.23, 8 SV) ... 2013 – started 16 games for West Michigan (3-7, 5.91) and 1 game for Lakeland (0-0, 4.50) ... 2012 – pitched in 11 games (9 GS) for Connecticut (0-4, 4.69) ... 2011 – GCL Tigers Pitcher of the Year ... appeared in 25 games in GCL (3-2, 2.73, 9 SV) and 2 games for Connecticut (0-0, 0.00) ... HOW OBTAINED – 29th round pick by Detroit in 2011 out of Coahoma Community College in Mississippi .
JOE ROGERS (LHP) 2014 – did not play - injured (left arm/elbow surgery) ... 2013 – pitched in 1 game for GCL (0-0, 4.50) and 7 games for Lakeland (1-1, 0.00) ... 2012 – appeared in 18 games for Connecticut (2-1, 2.28, 3 SV) ... HOW OBTAINED – 5th round draft pick by Detroit in 2012 out of the University of Central Florida ... All-Conference USA pick as a junior in 2012 at UCF with a 5-1 record and a 1.47 ERA and a school record 13 saves ... named to Louisville Slugger All-American team as a freshman ... posted a 13-5 record with 30 saves in college (UCF career saves leader) ... played high school ball at Winter Haven High in Polk County ... tossed a no-hitter during his prep career, striking out 20 of 21 batters vs. Lake Gibson on 3/3/09.
BRENNAN SMITH (RHP) 2014 – pitched in 32 game at Lakeland (2-7, 3.12, 7 SV) and 8 games at Erie (0-1, 6/75) ... 2013 – appeared in 15 games for West Michigan (1 GS, 2-1, 1.23 1 SV) and 11 games for Lakeland (1-1, 10.43) ... 2012 – pitched in 19 games (15 GS) for West Michigan (3-4, 3.86) ... 2011 – Connecticut Pitcher of the Year ... New York-Penn League Midseason All-Star ... Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Month for August ... made 14 starts for Connecticut (4-3, 1.53) and nine games (7 GS) for West Michigan (1-3, 4.99) ... 2010 – appeared in 15 games (12 GS) for Connecticut (1-7, 3.38, 1 SV) ... HOW OBTAINED – 33rd round draft pick by Detroit in 2010 out of Bowling Green State University ... Named 2010 Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year ... won his first 27 starts at Sandusky Perkins High School before losing his final start.
LOCKE St. JOHN (LHP) 2014 – made 2 starts in GCL (0-0, 1.50) ... and 8 starts for Lakeland (2-4, 5.67) ... HOW OBTAINED – 32nd round pick by Detroit in 2014 out of the University of South Alabama ... lettered for two seasons at Southern Union Community College in Alabama ... full name is Kenton Locke St. John
KEVIN ZIOMEK (LHP) 2015 – ranked fourth-best prospect in Tigers organization by MLB.com and sixth-best by Baseball America ... 2014 – Midwest League postseason all-star ... West Michigan Tigers Co-Pitcher of the Year ... led league with 2.27 ERA and second with 127 K ... started 23 games for West Michigan (10-6, 2.27) ... struck put 152 in 123.0 IP ... 2013 – made 4 starts for Connecticut (0-1, 4.50) ... HOW OBTAINED – 2nd round pick by Detroit in 2013 out of Vanderbilt University ... 3rd Team All-American as a junior in 2013 and second-team All-American as a freshman ... 2010 – drafted in 13th round by Arizona, but did not sign.
THE PLAYERS:
JAVIER BETANCOURT (IF) 2015 – ranked 11th-best prospect in Tigers organization by MLB.com ... 2014 – named to Midwest League all-star team ... Tigers Golf Glove winner for second base ... third in league with 150 hits ... played in 134 games for West Michigan (.269 - 6 - 54) ... 2013 – GCL Tigers Player of the Year ... GCL postseason all-star team ... second in league with .333 average and fourth with 59 hits ... played in 50 games in GCL (.333 - 2 - 22) ... 2013 – played in 32 games in the Venezuelan Summer League (.333 - 3 - 15) ... HOW OBTAINED – signed as a non-drafted free agent by Detroit in 2011.
BOBBY BORCHERING (IF) 2014 – played in 16 games for Lancaster (Astros) in the California League (.238 - 0 - 7) ... HOW OBTAINED – signed as a free agent by Detroit in February 2015 ... first-round draft pick of Arizona in 2009 draft out of Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers ... played 2009-2012 in Diamondbacks’ organization, advancing to AA before being traded to Astros along with Marc Krauss for Chris Johnson in July, 2012 ... played 2012–2014 in Astros organization in rookie, A and High-A ... has played in 505 games entering 2015 season (.252 career average) ... batted .494 with 13 homers in 77 at bat as a senior in high school.
DOMINIC FICOCIELLO (IF) 2015 – ranked 29th-best prospect in Tigers organization by MLB.com ... 2014 – ranked fifth in the Midwest League with 146 hits ... played in 134 games for West Michigan (.275 - 6 - 53) ... 2013 ... played in 59 games for Connecticut (.264 - 3 - 30) ... also played in 6 games for West Michigan (.143 - 0 - 3) ... HOW OBTAINED – 12th round pick by Detroit in 2013 out of the University of Arkansas ... twice named to SEC All-Defensive team ... played in 2012 College World Series ... named Freshman All-American ... 2010 – drafted in 23rd round by Detroit, but did not sign.
GRAYSON GREINER (C) 2015 non-rostered invitee to Spring Training ... ranked 10th-best prospect in Tigers organization by MLB.com ... 2014 – played in 26 games for West Michigan (.322 - 2 - 16) ... on DL from July 30-Sept. 18 with left wrist sprain ... HOW OBTAINED – 3rd round pick by Detroit in 2014 out of the University of South Carolina ... semifinalist for Johnny Bench Award as top collegiate catcher ... named SEC All-Defensive team in 2014 ... named to 2012 and 2013 USA Baseball Collegiate National Teams and Freshman All-America team.
JIWAN JAMES (OF) 2014 – played in nine games for AA Reading (Phillies) ... played for Clearwater Threshers in 2011 and 2013 ... has played in 457 games in minors from 2009-2014, never advancing beyond AA (.265 - 17 - 161) ... originally a 22nd round pick by Phillies in 2007 out of Williston (FL) High School ... HOW OBTAINED – signed in March, 2015 by Tigers after participating in Detroit’s try-out camp ... missed much of the last two seasons for surgery on his knee and Crohn’s Disease ... was once a top prospect for Philadelphia by Baseball America as the organization’s best athlete, fastest runner and best defensive outfielder.
DREW LONGLEY (C) 2014 – played in 23 games for Lakeland (.203 - 0 - 8) and 8 games for Erie (.240 - 0 - 3) ... 2013 – played in 24 games for GCL (.192 - 1 - 5) and 1 game for Lakeland ... 2012 – played in 33 games in GCL (.236 - 2 - 17) ... HOW OBTAINED – signed as a non-drafted free agent by Detroit in 2012 out of the Univ. of South Florida ... criminology major at USF.
FRANCISCO MARTINEZ (IF) 2014 – played in 93 games for Erie (.224 - 1 - 19) ... 2013 – played in 74 games for Lakeland (.295 - 3 - 28) after being acquired by Detroit in June ... began season at Jackson (Mariners) ... 2012 – played full season at Jackson ... ranked third in 2012 among Mariner minor leaguers with 28 stolen bases ... 2011 – began season with Erie and played in 91 games (.282 - 7 - 46) before being traded to Mariners ... selected to participate in All-Star Future’s Game ... played 2008 in the VSL, 2009 in the GCL as well as Lakeland ... played 2010 full season in Lakeland.
CURT POWELL (IF) 2014 – played in 8 games for West Michigan (.265 - 2 - 44) and 117 for Lakeland (.266 - 2 - 44) ... had an 11-game hit streak from May 20-21, 2014 (14x42, .333) ... went 5x8 on May 23, 2014 vs. Charlotte in 19-inning game ... went 5x5 with two doubles on June 4, 2014 at Fort Myers ... 2013 – played in 52 games for Connecticut (.249 - 1 - 20) and 4 for West Michigan (.357 - 0 - 0) ... HOW OBTAINED – 21st round pick by Detroit in 2013 out of the University of Georgia ... two-time All-SEC 2nd Team honoree at UGa.
JARED REAVES (IF) 2014 – Played in 94 games for Lakeland (.236 - 3 - 21) ... 2013 – played in 99 games for West Michigan (.271 - 5 - 37) and 9 for Lakeland (.276 - 0 - 0) ... 2012 – New York-Penn League Midseason All-Star ... HOW OBTAINED – 25th round draft pick by Detroit in 2012 out of the University of Alabama ... full name is David Jared Reaves.
RAPH RHYMES (OF) 2014 – ranked third in Midwest League with 35 doubles ... played in 134 games at West Michigan (.256 - 9 - 71) ... 2013 – played in 26 games for Connecticut (.230 - 0 - 8) and 32 at West Michigan (.345 - 0 - 4) ... HOW OBTAINED – 15th round pick by Detroit in 2013 out of Louisiana State University ... All-SEC first-team as a senior at LSU in 2013 ... 2012 – drafted in 30th round by Yankees, but did not sign ... named SEC Player of the Year and All-American ... hit .431 to lead NCAA becoming first LSU player to accomplish that feat ... 2011 – drafted by Pirates in 40th round, but did not sign ... hit .360 as a sophomore ... 2010 – named Division II Junior College Player of the Year after batting .483 with 12 homers and 98 RBI for LSU-Eunice ... full name is Raphael Ray Rhymes IV.
ISMAEL SALGADO (OF) 2014 – played in 46 games in GCL (.300 - 0 - 17) and 5 games at Connecticut (.263 - 0 - 3) ... Played in GCL in 2011 (38 G, .144 - 0 - 6), 2012 (44 G, .209 - 0 - 8) and 2013 (41 G, .205 - 0 - 9) ... named fastest baserunner in Tigers organization by Baseball America in 2011 ... HOW OBTAINED – 16th round pick by Detroit in 2011 out of the International Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico.
BEN VERLANDER (OF) 2014 – played in 43 game at Connecticut (.240 - 2 - 19) and 56 games at West Michigan (.208 - 1 - 23) ... 2013 – named to New York-Penn League midseason all-star team ... played in 67 games at Connecticut (.219 - 4 - 29) ... HOW OBTAINED – 14th round pick by Detroit in 2013 out of Old Dominion University ... earned third-team All-America honors after batting .367 with 11 homers and 37 RBI at ODU ... 2010 – drafted in 46th round by Detroit, but did not sign ... PERSONAL – younger brother of Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander.
THE COACHES:
MANAGER DAVE HUPPERT• 27th season as a minor league manager (1,871-1,737)
• Fifth season with Lakeland (263-275; 64-74 in 2011; 73-58 in 2012; 64-68 in 2013;
62-75 in 2014)
• Ranks 18th all-time with 1,871 wins as a minor league manager
• Became the Minor League’s winningest active manager on April 19, 2012
• Named to Florida State League Hall of Fame in 2012
• 2012 Detroit’s Dwight Lowery Award (Player Development Man of the Year)
• Led Lakeland to 2012 Florida State League Championship (his third FSL title)
• Began managing in the minors in 1986 for the Helena (Brewers) in the Pioneer League
• Lakeland is his fourth managerial job in the Florida State League
• Coached the 1993 Sarasota White Sox, 1999-2001 Brevard County Manatees (Marlins)
and the 2007 Clearwater Threshers (Phillies)
• Led 2001 Manatees to FSL Co-Championship and Threshers to FSL crown in 2007
• Also managed the 2006 Lakewood Blue Claws (Phillies) to South Atlantic League title
• Two-time Minor League Manager of the Year
• Played ten seasons in the minors as a catcher
• Was the Rochester catcher for 31 of the 33 innings against Pawtucket in professional
baseball’s longest game on April 18, 1981
• Played in 17 games in the major leagues—two for Baltimore in 1983 and 15 for Milwaukee in 1985 with a combined 21 at bats
• His one major league hit came off of Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro
• Was third base coach for the Washington Nationals in their inaugural season of 2005.
COACH NELSON SANTOVENIA (hitting)• Returns to the Tigers organization in 2015 to serve as Lakeland’s hitting coach, his first
season in that capacity.
• Served as the West Michigan hitting coach last season (2014)
• was previously a coach with the Gulf Coast League Tigers for two seasons, which
marked his first professional coaching assignment.
• Prior to joining the Tigers organization, he was working in the private sector and coaching at the high school level in Florida.
• He coached during the 2005 season at Archbishop Carroll High School, before he
served as an associate head coach with Archbishop McCarthy High School for six
seasons (2006-11).
• Archbishop McCarthy High School won back-to-back Class 4A State Championships in
Florida (2010-11).
• Selected by the Montreal Expos in the first round of the June 1982 draft
• Saw action in seven seasons at the major league level as a catcher with the Expos
(1987-91), Chicago White Sox (1992) and Kansas City Royals (1993).
COACH JORGE CORDOVA (pitching)• Cordova will serve as the pitching coach with Single A Lakeland in 2015, his 10th
season as a coach in the Tigers organization.
• was the pitching coach for the Gulf Coast League Tigers in 2014.
• Spent the previous four seasons as the pitching coach with the organization’s
affiliate in the New York-Penn League, serving one season with Single A Oneonta
(2009) and three seasons with Single A Connecticut (2010-12).
• Served as the pitching coach with the Venezuelan Summer League Tigers during
each of his first three seasons (2006-08) with the organization.
• Pitched for eight seasons at the minor league level with the Yankees (1996),
Marlins (1998-2000), Reds (2000-02) and Tigers (2003-04).
• He compiled a 44-26 record and 3.30 ERA in 234 outings during his career.
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