The Detroit Tigers are either going to sink or swim in the month of June. Already 9.5 games back of first, Detroit cannot afford to continue struggling if they want to have any hope of getting back into the postseason.
We’ve seen the Tigers’ offense heat up around the month of June these last few seasons, and like those last few seasons, it has been the offense holding the team back in the early going. The bats getting going consistently is the only hope the Tigers have to save their season.
Kerry Carpenter’s injury would look like a disaster on paper, but Matt Vierling stepped up in a big way when the Tigers needed him the most. Detroit have won four of their last five games and must keep that train rolling in Boston if they hope to gain ground on the three teams ahead of them in the division.
While prospects like Jace Jung who is ranked the 58th overall prospect and the Tigers fourth overall prospect by ITD and Ty Madden who is ranked as the Tigers sixth overall prospect by ITD, can envision their major league debuts possibly as soon as this season, one of Detroit’s top prospects, who still has a long way to go before reaching the big leagues, could be promoted in the near future and take a step forward in his professional career.
Max Clark Named Florida State League Player of the Week:
Max Clark was the Tigers’ third overall pick in last year’s MLB Draft and is the tenth-ranked prospect by ITD. His professional career got off to a rough start, but lately, he has looked more comfortable at the plate. Clark was last week’s Florida State League player of the week. He had nine hits in 20 at-bats (.450 batting average), five runs scored, nine RBIs, five walks, two doubles, a home run, and four stolen bases.
Clark is slashing .274/.383/.369 this season with nine extra-base hits, two home runs, 32 RBIs, 29 walks, and 14 stolen bases. The power numbers aren’t there, but Clark is not a power hitter, something we’ve known all along. Scott Harris described him as a five-tool player, and he is someone who will hopefully be productive with his speed, defense, and athleticism. When it comes to his offense, I wouldn’t be greedy, just hope to see some consistency at the plate.
With the way Clark is playing, I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets called up to High-A to play for the West Michigan Whitecaps
