- Detroit Free Press Tigers Select Hometown Kid in 4th Round The Tigers have drafted 20 year old SS James Savage Jr from Grand Rapids, MI in the 4th round of the 2014 Amateur Draft. Savage Jr has currently played baseball for 1 year at Grand Rapids Community College where he averaged .370 over a season with speed and solid power. He has the ability to be a 5-tool guy but has been overlooked by scouts because of his 5'8 stature. He will see a very short stint at his hometown 5/3rd ballpark in Grand Rapids with the West Michigan Whitecaps before being sent to the Erie Seawolves to play out this season. He is a lifelong Tigers fan and is thrilled to be in the Tigers organization. "It is a dream come true. I was totally shocked when Detroit called my name!" said Savage Jr. Expect the local press to keep a keen eye on the local kid as he progresses through the Detroit farm system.
April 2014 Update SS James Savage Jr 60 Overall 71 AB .254 Average 1 R, 1 2B, RBI, 7 SB Savage Jr started slow at the plate in his opening AA month batting .254 through 18 games. He has heated up slightly recently, recording his 1st double. He is hitting with 0 power thus far but on the bright side has 7 steals already so he is making things happen on the base paths. Heading into May he hopes to up his average and hit for some more power. Top 3 Attributes: Speed 74 Power vs L 51 Contact vs R 47 Seawolves: 8-19 Detroit Tigers: 16-10
May 2014 Update Through 39 games of AA Ball Savage Jr is hitting .315 with 2 HRs and 18 RBIs. He has caught fire and pulled his average way up and is finally finding his power stroke with 2 doubles and 2 triples. If he keeps this hot streak up he may be headed to Toledo soon. He continues to tear up the base paths with 32 stolen bases on the year and an in the park home run. The minors have not seen speed like this in quite some time. Double Play In the park HR
