Seattle Mariners Prospect Trade Target List: AL Central

Detroit Tigers

Ty’s pick: LHP Tarik Skubal

Let’s get this out of the way: the Tigers aren’t going to be buying at the deadline. To acquire a prospect from Detroit is to likely sell one of your very own, which means you have to be absolutely in love with who you’re getting.

Seattle University alum Tarik Skubal could fit that mold, as he looks like a pitcher after Jerry Dipoto’s own heart. The 2018 ninth-rounder has settled into professional baseball beautifully. After piggybacking starts in his rookie year, Skubal has become a staple in High-A Lakeland’s starting rotation.

Through his first eight starts of 2019, Skubal has posted a 3.48 ERA while averaging 11.32 strikeouts and just 1.74 walks per nine innings. Opponents are hitting just .197 off of Skubal, who’s had great success with both of his breaking balls in addition to his mid-90s fastball.

Right now, both his fastball and curveball are plus pitches for him. If the slider can develop into an above-average option, Skubal may shed his 2021 projection and be in a Major League rotation at some point next year. At the very least, he may wind up on a few prospect lists. He’s really exciting.

Colby’s pick: RHP Logan Shore

The second round pick of the 2016 MLB Draft, Logan Shore had a great career at the University of Florida. The 6’2″, 215 lbs right-handed pitcher, is currently pitching in AA and could make his MLB debut in 2019.

Shore doesn’t have elite stuff, but he gets by with above-average command of his 3-pitch mix. The fastball sits in the low-90s but it does have some sink and run, and could be an above-average offering.

The changeup is his best pitch and sits in the upper-70s and shows good fade and is thrown with good arm speed. The slider is the pitch to watch. The offering is below-average but has improved in his pro career.

Shore doesn’t have the highest upside, but if the slider can improve a full grade, he should be a solid 4th starter. A move to the bullpen could add a few ticks to the fastball, giving him a solid two-pitch offering, similar to Brandon Brennan.

Shore wouldn’t be all too expensive since the Tigers have a lot of arms in their farm system already. Shore should be up by 2020 and if the Mariners analytics department can see a tweak or two, he could be a steal.