Prospects in the Armando Galarraga Trade

by John Sickels on Jan 24, 2011 7:00 PM EST

Prospects in the Galarraga Trade

As you have probably heard by now, the Tigers traded Armando Galarraga to the Diamondbacks for a pair of pitching prospects, right-hander Kevin Eichhorn and left-hander Ryan Robowski. Here is a review of the two prospects involved.

Kevin Eichhorn, RHP
Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-0 WT: 170 DOB: February 6, 1990

Eichhorn was a third round pick back in 2008 out of high school in Aptos, California. He posted a 5.00 ERA with a 81/18 K/BB in 86 innings last year between Missoula in the Pioneer League, Yakima in the Northwest League, and Visalia in the California League. The son of former major leaguer Mark Eichhorn, Kevin is polished for his age, has a decent 87-92 MPH fastball, and a very strong curve. His slider and changeup need work, and while he throws strikes, his location within the strike zone isn't always perfect. Scouts seem to like him more than the statistics warrant, projecting him as a possible number four starter. He is young enough to develop into that, but I rate him as a Grade C prospect currently.

Ryan Robowski, LHP
Bats: L Throws: L HT: 6-0 WT: 185 DOB: February 3, 1988

Robowski was a 16^th round pick in 2009 from Ohio Dominican University. He posted a 5.17 ERA with a 51/16 K/BB in 54 innings last year for Visalia in the Cal League, being used in relief. He gave up 69 hits and a .311 average against, and wasn't any more effective against lefties than he was against right-handed hitters, which makes it hard to use him as a LOOGY. His fastball is respectable for a lefty in the upper 80s, but he needs work with his secondary pitches. That said, he throws strikes and could have more potential than his 2010 numbers indicate.

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Meh

I have a difficult time understanding why the Tigers are so dead set on starting Phil Coke, and relying on a guy who threw less than 60 IP last year with no safety net.

Now, when the proverbial injury to the rotation happens, they’ll once again rush up an unproven, unpolished guy like Oliver, or someone like Furbush. I really, really hope we don’t see Turner this year too, but given the Tigers penchant for rushing guys, I don’t think anyone would truly be shocked.

I’m not saying Armando was great, but having him as a swing man and the defacto #6 SP is the best option they would’ve had.

I don’t know anything about these two specs, but I’d rather have Armando than a couple of marginal guys in A ball.

"He don't want to walk you." -Sparky Anderson telling Kirk Gibson that Goose Gossage didn't want to walk Gibby just before he put it in the upper deck.

by sportznut3081 on Jan 24, 2011 8:14 PM EST reply actions