The Detroit Tigers have addressed a crucial need in their bullpen, which has been the reason for their exits from the postseason in recent years. An MLB writer predicts that an Oakland Athletics prospect will lead the minor leagues in home runs in 2015.
Tom Gorzelanny will join the Tigers' bullpen on a one-year contract, the team announced on Tuesday. James Schmehl of MLive.com notes the terms of the guaranteed deal were not immediately disclosed. Gorzelanny, a left-hander, will be entering his 11th season and likely fill the void left by Phil Coke, who entered free agency this offseason.
The 32-year-old Gorzelanny has spent the past two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, during which he maintained a 3.30 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 66 games (10 starts). The left-hander served as a starter with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals before the Nats moved him to the bullpen on a full-time basis in 2012. That year, Gorzelanny owned a 2.88 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 72 innings. After returning from shoulder surgery in 2014, he logged a 0.86 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in 23 games (21 innings) with the Brewers.
A number of other relievers for the Tigers have hit free agency, including Joba Chamberlain, Joel Hanrahan, Evan Reed and Kevin Whelan. Gorzelanny will join Joe Nathan, Joakim Soria, Bruce Rondon and others in the Detroit bullpen.
In the minor leagues, a prospect in the Oakland Athletics' organization could become the new home run champ in 2015. This past season Chicago Cubs' prospect Kris Bryant led the way with 43 homers and Texas Rangers' prospect Joey Gallo was right behind him with 42. A's prospect Matt Olson finished third with 37 home runs in Advanced Class-A Stockton, and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com thinks the first baseman will lead the minors in that category this upcoming season.
Bryant is expected to be called up at some point early on in 2015 since the Cubs have a need at third base and the 23-year-old has crushed the competition since entering the minors in 2013. Gallo, who spent last season between Advanced Class-A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Frisco, could also get the call to the Rangers' roster at some point in 2015 if the team is indeed serious about using him in the outfield (he's a third baseman, but that position is currently occupied by Adrian Beltre). He could remain in the minors for the entire season though, and some are concerned about his ability to produce at Triple-A since he batted .232 at Double-A in 2014, which could affect his home run total.
"Even if he struggles at the outset, as he did last April, Olson has shown an ability to deal with adversity, make adjustments and produce at a high level," writes Mayo. "He'll be just 21 for all of the 2015 season, one that should see him bringing home the Joe Bauman Award given to the Minor League home run champion."
UPDATE: According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Gorzelanny will earn $1 million with the Tigers in addition to incentives for relief appearances and games started.
