Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • 41

MONDAY. APWL 2. 2I7 13C DETROIT FREE PRESS WWWFREEP.COM m. SASECALL 2 0 0 7 f1 A REPORT lense sirs on. Mil I ITT' 1 li 'i i 1 I i.

1 i i. YTTiJ A sm -40 Vfr Tigers outfielder Brent Clevlen hit 292 this spring and 2Z2 in Detroit last season but will start this year at Triple-A Toledo. DSL TIGERS League: Dominican Summer (Rookie). Not named at this time. VSL TIGERS League: Venezuelan Summer (Rookie).

Mgrj Josman Robles (second year). TOLEDO MUD HENS League: International (Triple-A). Mgrj Larry Parrish (fifth year). ERIE SEAWOLVES League: Eastern (Double-A). Matt Walbeck (first year).

LAKELAND TIGERS League: Florida State (high Class A). Kevin Bradshaw (first year). W. MICH. WHITECAPS League: Midwest (low Class A).

Tom Brookens (first year). ONEONTA TIGERS League: New York-Penn (short Class A). Andy Barkett (first year). GULF COAST TIGERS League: Gulf Coast (Rookie). Benny Castillo (first year).

JUL. AN Lwuqit free Pre LiJLJiJilii Hitting is Clcvlen's ticket to the Show By SHAWN WINDSOR mtfc PRESS SPOR I5 Ri ll I jt -v, jt If ji'iU-'y''f 1 big leagues last year in Erie. "I'd had a good spring training," he said. And when he arrived in Erie, all he could think about was Detroit. It was a distraction.

In 2005, while playing at Class A Lakeland, he was named the Florida State League MVP. He hit .302 with 18 home runs, 102 RBIs and played stellar defense. Clevlen just assumed the success would carry over to Erie. But baseball is funny like that. You miss on a few easy pitches, and suddenly you begin chasing bad ones.

The next thing you know, you're not hitting. All of which made his immediate success with the Tigers more surprising. Clevlen still can't explain it. "I got up there, hit in the cages a little, and it began coming back to me," he said. "The change of scenery was good for me." He was sent down at the end of August and then called back up in September.

During the second stint, his bat cooled. He didn't get a hit in 10 at-bats that month. Still, in his time with the Tigers last year, he hit .282. This spring training, Clevlen found his stroke again, hitting .292. He was cut from the big league squad.

Only this year, he was sent to Triple-A Toledo. "I've still got time," he said. "I need to make little adjustments, be consistent, repeat the good swings." He doubled in his first big league at-bat, not an uncommon occurrence necessarily, except that Brent Clevlen couldn't buy a hit playing at Double-A Erie. Clevlen, an outfielder, hit .230 before he was called up by the Tigers in July. So when he stepped into the batter's box to face Twins ace Johan Santana in his major league debut, no one was expecting much.

He homered a few days later, and for the next few weeks, smacked the ball around. Suddenly, one of the best prospects in the Tigers' system had rediscovered his stroke. Not often does a struggling, Double-A prospect jump to the majors and begin belting the ball. "Sometimes," said Tigers general manager Dave Dom-browski, "guys' minds clear. And they get a fresh start." Dombrowski drafted Clevlen in the second round in 2002 because he has a chance to be "an All-Star-type player," he said.

"He can field, he can throw, he can run, he can hit with power. How good he becomes will be dictated by how well he hits." Dombrowski was as surprised as anyone that Clevlen shook off his troubles in Erie and performed so well late last summer. Clevlen, 23, said he was too worried about getting to the BOB JORDANSpwial to the Free Press Former Tigers catcher Lance Parrish, 50, is back in Michigan managing the first-year Great Lakes Loons, the low Class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers that plays in Midland. Big Wheel keeps limiin Free Press sports writer Jon Paul fvlorosi looks at some prospects to keep an eye on this season: CAMERON MAYBIN CF, 19, Lakeland (Class A) He Is the Tigers' best position prospect and one of the best young players in baseball. He has all five tools, and they're advanced for a teenager.

(He turns 20 on Wednesday.) He'll start the year at high Class A. He's projected as Detroit's future centerfielder. ANDREW MILLER LHP, 21, Lakeland He throws a fastball near 95 m.p.h., along with a lethal slider. Despite his major league experience, the Tigers and Miller seem to agree that he will be best served beginning this year as a starter in the minors. He will move to Double-A Erie when the weather there improves.

GORKYS HERNANDEZ CF, 19, West Michigan (Class A) He is five months younger than May-bin, and some believe his skills are not far behind. The 6-foot, 175-pound Hernandez is not as big or powerful as the 6-4, 205-pound Maybin, but he might be as fast. He hit .327 and swiped 20 bases in 24 attempts last year in the Gulf Coast League. JORDAN TATA RHP, 25, Toledo (Triple-A) He made the Tigers' Opening Day roster last year after an injury to Todd Jones and generally made good progress as a starter at Toledo. This spring, though, he was troubled by back pain.

If Tata can establish himself as a reliable starter, he'll have a good chance to return to the majors this year. BRENT DLUGACH SS, 24, Erie (Double-A) Manager Jim Leyland was impressed with Dlugach's major league-ready glove this spring. Leyland seems convinced Dlugach will play in the big leagues at some point; his bat will dictate how long, and how well. If he hits, he might be an everyday shortstop. If he doesn't, he projects as a utility player.

MICHAEL HOLLIMON 2B, 24, Erie He should pair with Dlugach in an intriguing double-play combination. Hollimon was the shortstop at West Michigan last year but has taken ground balls at second base all spring. He's a dynamic switch-hitter who led the Midwest League in triples, and also had the most home runs (15) and strikeouts (124) of any Whitecaps player. JEFF LARISH IB, 24, Erie He has patience and power, a rare combination in the Tigers' minor league system. He walked 81 times last year and hit 18 home runs at Lakeland.

He's a quality left-handed hitter who plays a position where the major league club doesn't have a player signed beyond this year. He could impact the club's immediate plans with a big year. WILKIN RAMIREZ LF, 21, Lakeland He was the Tigers' fifth-rated prospect last year, according to Baseball America, but he hit only .225 in a shortened season. He has a live bat and great potential. He played 66 games at Lakeland until a foul ball caused a deep bruise and hairline fracture in his left shin.

He appears healthy now, and said he feels comfortable in the outfield after switching from third base. KYLE SLEETH RHP, 25, Erie His reemergence was one of the spring's most compelling stories. He has regained his curveball and, more important, his confidence. Now, two years after ligament-replacement surgery, he might start realizing "his first-round potential. It's not clear whether Sleeth's ultimate future is in the rotation or bullpen.

Lance Parrish leads Midland's Loons By GEORGE SIPPLE FREE PRtSS SPORTS WRrrtR ons. Parrish, known as the Big Wheel, spent 19 seasons in the majors. After retiring in 1995, he spent the next season as a roving catching instructor in the Royals' farm system. In 1997-98, he was a coach for the Dodgers' Double-A affiliate in San Antonio. He came back to the Tigers in 1999, working under managers Larry Parrish and Phil Garner.

He worked as a television analyst on Tigers broadcasts in 2002, then worked on Alan Tram-mell's coaching staff in 2003-05. "I played the game as hard as I could and obviously played to win," Parrish said. "That's kind of the way I manage. I try to be prepared for every game." Parrish said his management style is a blend of all the other managers he played for or worked with. Former Tigers manager Sparky Anderson was a stickler for discipline, "In order to be treated like a man, you have to act like one," PWish said.

"I'm kind of a stickler on rules. There's a proper way to go about your business. We have fun, but there are rules to follow. All I expect of them is to show up on time and work hard." Parrish said he still loves the game and now gets satisfaction in seeing some of the players he has worked with succeed in the majors, such as Paul Lo Duca, Alex Cora and Adrian Beltre. "I do love the game and still enjoy competing," Parrish said.

"People ask if I miss playing. I absolutely do. "The reward at this stage comes in being able to lead a team." He might be the first face you recognize, but Great Lakes Loons manager Lance Parrish said he wants fans to look at what's on the field, not who is sitting in the dugout. Parrish, 50, is returning to Michigan to coach the first-year Loons, the low Class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers that plays in Midland. Parrish figures he'll be reunited with some of the players he coached last season when he managed the Dodgers' rookie-level affiliate, the Ogden (Utah) Raptors, to a 37-39 record.

"I don't know what to expect," Parrish said of how fans will react to him. "The fans have always treated me well. I don't plan on that being a distraction for my team. I'm sure they're coming to watch the ballclub, rather than me managing. The show will be on the field.

"There might be some people who come up and watch the team because I manage. If I can bring a few more fans put, I welcome that. But to me, they're coming to watch the team." What should people expect to see? "It's not going to be like watching the major leaguers, but we do have some good players," Parrish said. "People need to keep in mind these guys are still young and make mistakes." Parrish said his team will be hardworking, like he was when he was a catcher for the Tigers in 1977-86, including the 1984 World Series champi GREAT LAKES LOONS Team: Los Angeles Dodgers' Class A affiliate in the Midwest League. Stadium: Dow Diamond, Midland, 5,500 capacity.

-Tickets: $8.50 boxreserved; $6 lawn. Call: 989-837-2255. Online: www.loons.com. Write: P.O. Box 365, Midland 48640.

Directions: 1-75 to U.S.-10 west. Take the business exit on the left toward downtown Midland. Merge onto U.S.-10 WM-20 (also known as Indian Street). Turn left onto State Street. The entrance to the stadium is located at the intersection of Ellsworth and State.

KALAMAZOO KINGS Team: Independent in Frontier League. Stadium: Homer Stryker Field, Kalamazoo, 4,385 capacity. Tickets: $8 box seats; $5 general admission; $7, $4 seniors. Call: 269-383-8326. Online: www.kalama200kings.com.

Write: 251 Mills Street, Kalamazoo 49048. TRAVERSE CITY BEACH BUMS Team: Independent in Frontier League. Stadium: Wuerfel Park, Traverse City, 4,650 capacity. Tickets: $10 reserved; $6 lawn; $60 table of four; $360 suites (12 tickets). Call: 231-943-0100.

Online: www.traversecitybeachbum-s.com. Write: 333 Stadium Drive, Traverse City 49684. (and the important Ohio one) TOLEDO MUD HENS Team: Tigers' Triple-A affiliate in the International League. Stadium: Fifth Third Field, Toledo, 8,943 capacity. Tickets: $6 for ages 3-12 and 65-older.

Call: 419-725-4367. Online: www.mudhens.com (Internet broadcasts available). Write: 406 Washington Street, Toledo 43604. Directions: 1-75 south to exit 202A (Washington). Turn right.

LANSING LUGNUTS Team: Toronto Blue Jays' Class A affiliate in the Midwest League. Stadium: Oldsmobile Park, Lansing, 11,500 capacity. Tickets: $9 box; $8 reserved; $7 lawn. Call: 517-485-4500. Online: www.lansinglugnuts.com (Internet broadcasts available).

Write: 505 E. Michigan Lansing 48912. Directions: 1-96 west to 1-496 west to CedarLarch exit; right onto Larch. WEST MICHIGAN WHITECAPS Team: Tigers' Class A affiliate in the Midwest League. Stadium: Fifth Third Ballpark, Corn-stock Park, 10,071 capacity.

Tickets: $10 box; $3.50 reserved and family section; $5 lawn. Call: 616-784-4131. Online: www.whitecapsbaseball.com. Write: P.O. Box 428, Comstock Park 49321-0428.

Directions: 1-96 west to U.S.-131, north to West River Drive, follow to park. "IF I CAN BRING A FEW MORE FANS OUT, I WELCOME THAT." LANCE PARRISH, on managing the new Great Lakes Loons in Midland fS An' PENNANT-WINNING 10S7 ICC3 1029 i034 1925 100 1045 000 SEASONS: 1968 Anal THE SrCUEL THE PENNANT WINNERS American The Orioles steamrolled the AL in 69 with 109 victo ries and won the first of three straight pennants. DETHRONED! The Tigers avenged their 1934 loss in one of the great comebacks in Series history. Trailing in the Series, 3-1, the Tigers won three in a row, the last two in St. Louis.

Mike Cuellar led the 0 with 23 wins and shared the St" Cy Young with the Tigers' Denny Mclain. Knee surgery limited Tigers catalyst Dick McAuliffe to 74 games..