If you haven’t been hiding under a rock (maybe you’ve been in isolation ever since the Red Wings were eliminated?), you’re probably aware that the Detroit Tigers are off to their best start in over 12 years.  The Tigers currently sit atop the AL Central Division with the best record in baseball (27-13) and a 1 game lead over the reigning World Series Champion Chicago White Sox.  As buzz about the Tigers builds around the league, reminiscent to many of the White Sox start in 2005, the key to this hot start has been pitching.  The Tigers lead all of baseball with a team ERA of 3.13.

To expect the stellar success on the mound to continue at this pace for the rest of the season for the Tigers would be unrealistic.  Professional baseball teams will find a way to get hits, but know this: The Detroit Tigers have the talent, experience and depth to remain one of the best pitching staffs in baseball this year.  Both in starters and relievers, the Tigers have pitchers waiting to step up, should one or some of the Detroit pitchers falter.

STARTING PITCHING PROSPECTS

Zach Miner
Acquired along with Roman Colon in the trade that sent Kyle Farnsworth to the Atlanta Braves in 2005, Zach Miner has quickly shown that he is ready to perform at a high level by putting up impressive at Triple-A Toledo this season.  In eight starts, Miner carries a 2.18 ERA and a 6-0 record.  In 45.1 innings, he has given up just 38 hits and has piled up 35 strikeouts.  That’s nearly a strikeout for every hit.

Roman Colon
Colon, acquired in the Farnsworth trade mentioned above, needed just 2 starts to earn a recall to Detroit.  In 2 games in Toledo, Colon gave up just 4 hits in 6.2 innings and struck out 6.  Colon is currently being used in middle-relief in Detroit, but is capable of long-relief and is viewed as viable prospect as a starter.

Jordan Tata
In an organization which also contained Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya, Jordan Tata  was Detroit’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2005.  Tata found his way to Detroit at the beginning of the season as Todd Jones went on the DL and pitched 14 innings allowing 6 earned runs on 9 hits for a 3.86 ERA.  In short, in his first trip to the bigs, Tata rose to the occassion.  In Detroit, he was used in 2 innings of relief per appearance; not exactly long relief.  Tata was sent down to Toledo for some starts and to make way for Roman Colon.

Wilfredo Ledezma
Though he struggled in 2005 before being sent down to Toledo for the remainder of the season, Wilfredo Ledezma is still one of the top starting pitching prospects in the Detroit organization.  This season, Ledezma is 2-3 with a 3.18 ERA through 7 starts.  In his 39.2 innings, Ledezma has allowed 14 earned runs on 37 hits and 11 walks.  Wilfredo Ledezma leads the Toledo Mudhens with 43 strikeouts.

RELIEF PITCHING PROSPECTS

Chris Spurling
Spurling struggled and was sent down early this season, but there is little doubt that he will return to Detroit before the season is out.  His numbers after being sent down would seem to support that idea; since arriving in Toledo, Spurling has allowed just 2 earned runs in 14.2 innings.

Matt Mantei
Mantei flirted briefly with retirement after a discouraging injury in spring training.  Now he is making a pretty convincing case for a comeback.  In 5 innings on 4 appearances, Mantei has allowed 0 earned runs and just 1 hit.

John Ennis
In 18 innings this season, Ennis has posted a 1.50 ERA on 12 hits and 3 earned runs.