Mike Smith

15 years in MLB front offices. 10 years in neighborhood economic development. Happy dad, husband, Detroiter, and New London native.

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@MCB_johnverburg Has a chance to be their 3B if he keeps evolving.

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@rogcastbaseball Does he take Carpenter’s job one day? They seem similar to me.

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

More on Leys' solid'ish start plus some other statcast notes (I see you Alistair Tanner!) on the game:
- Leys touched 94.1 and sat 92.5, with 17" IVB.
- He generated 29% whiffs, with his slider (50%) the best at this, which he spun to 2262 rpm.
- HELLO 19YO Alistair Tanner, who the Tigers signed from Australia. Sat 94.3, touched 96.2 with huge 20” IVB. Spun all of his cutter, slider, and curve to around 2700 rpm.
- Crazy exit velo game: McDonald 114.2, Goodman 109.2, McCarthy 108.8, Ankeney 108.5.

[Tigers Torkmoil @bythewaybro]

Tigers prospect LHP Caleb Leys in his organization debut:

4 IP
3 H
4 ER
2 BB
6 K

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

Again, I haven't been on Torkelson at all the last two weeks except to note that he seems to be on thin ice with the org itself.

I *have* been the one beating the trade-him drum all last offseason (and I likely will all next offseason), but it's only because he's getting expensive and I think the downgrade to the next guys on hand will be relatively small.

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

Here's where I get lost. I didn't think Torkelson sucked last year and I don't think we should write him off after two bad weeks - if you find where I said that, share it with me and I'll call a mea culpa.

I *do* think he's more replaceable with players on hand than a starter is after this season (any starter really, you need 10-11 a year and that's why a guy like Flaherty has more value for me than a guy like Torkelson). I also *do* think Torkelson's on thin ice with the organization itself, which is how I'm reading him batting 8th.

[Lynn Henning @Lynn_Henning]

Max Clark is handling matters — very well — ahead of his eventual shift to Detroit. First 2026 Tigers Minor League Report. https://t.co/PcB4FF3TiA

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@whohay99 @idk_anymorebru @bythewaybro @tigersslab @Tigers__Capital @BosscherBen What was the criticism I made specifically that you think is unfair? I haven’t called for him to be traded now (I think it’ll be more likely this coming offseason). And I only noted that I think he’s on thinner ice with the club than I had thought, shown by them batting him 8th.

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@tigersMLreport Both of these guys are at least modestly interesting in the bullpen (but them being moved as interchangeable parts tells us something about what the Tigers think of them). Good for them!

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@tigersMLreport I imagine this takes forever to put together but it’s a great feature!

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

I don’t hate Torkelson. I just think he’s replaceable with guys on hand (and Briceño in the system) and a trade of him would help replenish the farm system’s pitching depth. They can’t do the same for Flaherty, their depth in the rotation is thin.

I find it more likely Carpenter’s traded first though.

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@slaphappycookie @BlueChkMark18 Good day for everybody.

*except the Cardinals and Guardians

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

Eight games are not very predictive but the Tigers are:

- 4th-best in runs scored per game in the AL.
- 3rd-best in runs allowed per game in the AL.

Good combo.

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@slaphappycookie @BlueChkMark18 I have as well, Steve! Happy Easter/Passover/whatever you celebrate!

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@slaphappycookie @BlueChkMark18 HAH! How many years do they get it for?

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@JohnFein2 Lifetime service contract! I’ll be curious if he stays in the game as a coach after he’s done playing.

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@ebajek85 Go Huskies!

(they're one of only two teams I'd root for over UofM)

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@DossettoGrant1 I'd take 4-4 in a "bad stretch." Hopefully better times are ahead!

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@JohnFein2 Forever is a long time. Maybe he'll be gone by the 2030s.

Happy Easter/Passover/whatever you celebrate!

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@BlueChkMark18 I still want to see what they sold their souls for.

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

@ebajek85 https://t.co/RM7ZDgHmLY

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

I want to dig into Jacob’s’ outing some more:
- He sat 94.0, touched 95.9.
- His 4s fastball had 19” IVB and got 8 of 12 whiffs.
- Overall, his whiff rate was 50% (!!!).

More please. He might not be long for Lakeland.

[Mike Smith @MSmithDetroit]

Lakeland is going to be the place to be this year (and much love to TMLR for this video):
- Witherspoon averaged 96.1 and touched 98.1. He got 35% whiff, and spun his cutter to 2653 rpm and curve to 2728. Also no walks!
- Rainer smoked a ball 110.6.
- Rucker and Osorio each hit one 106.3.
- Tyler Owens showed up on rehab 95-97 and got 50% whiff.
- Tigers are targeting some guys with velo from other clubs. Inohan Paniagua (age 26, signed from winter ball) touched 96 and Yendy Gomez (age 22, minor league Rule 5 pick) got to 97.

[Tigers ML Report @tigersMLreport]

Here’s Malachi Witherspoon’s full professional debut.

https://t.co/PdFykM29l2