The second half of the International League season has already begun, but the All-Star break offers a natural pause and allows for some time to look ahead to what might happen the rest of the way.
The Toledo Mud Hens have struggled to a 7-11 record so far in the second half and are just 3-7 in their past 10 games.
The rest of the season post-All-Star break still offers plenty of compelling stories for the Mud Hens. Here are a few to monitor:
How will the MLB trade deadline affect the Mud Hens?
The trade deadline can always shake things up from a big-league perspective but also can shuffle up minor-league ranks. The Tigers are playing better baseball lately, winning eight of their past 10 before the All-Star break. Detroit, however, still sits in fourth place in the AL Central behind three very strong teams in the Guardians, Twins, and Royals. With a record below .500, the Tigers could look to the future at the deadline and become sellers.
Starting pitcher Jack Flaherty might be their biggest asset to deal and he could fetch some young talent in return. Could we see some of the return for a player like Flaherty in Toledo before the end of the season? It's very possible.
How long will Spencer Torkelson remain in Toledo?
One of the big surprises of the baseball season in these parts has been the demotion of Torkelson to Triple-A. The first baseman struggled mightily in Detroit this season after a red-hot second half of the season last year. The former No. 1 overall pick has spent more than a month at Toledo, hitting .237 with five homers and 22 RBIs in 34 games.
The Tigers have managed just fine with Torkelson in Toledo, so there might not be too much of a rush to get him back to Detroit. The other way of looking at it, however, would be that the Tigers would want Torkelson back with the big club to see if he can work his way through things and have a strong second half like last year.
Who earns the next big league debut with the Tigers?
There are two very talented and deserving candidates to be called up to Detroit to make their major league debut at some point this season in catcher Dillon Dingler and infielder Jace Jung.
Dingler has been perhaps the most consistent Mud Hens player this season. He always offers above-average defense from the catcher position. But he has made great strides offensively this year with a season free of injury concerns. Dingler is hitting .297 with 12 homers and 42 RBIs this season to go with a .866 OPS. He has arguably earned his opportunity for a chance in the majors. The Tigers have a backstop duo of Jake Rogers and Carson Kelly that has produced, but Dingler could be the catcher of the future in Detroit.
Jung, meanwhile, is the top position prospect currently playing for the Mud Hens and has shown off his skill set with Toledo this year. While adjusting to a new position at third base, Jung is hitting .265 with 14 homers and 48 RBIs while sporting a .899 OPS. Tigers fans will be pushing to see Jung, the brother of Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung, in Detroit at some point this season. If he continues to hit the way he has this season, that opportunity could come sooner rather than later.
When will Jackson Jobe pitch in Toledo?
With Paul Skenes dominating the major league ranks, Jobe is the top pitching prospect (No. 11 prospect overall, No. 2 with Tigers behind outfielder Max Clark) currently in the minor leagues. The 21-year-old can light up the radar gun with his fastball, but his 70-grade slider is perhaps his most dominant pitch.
Jobe has returned from a hamstring injury for two outings with Double-A Erie in July. He went five innings in both starts, allowing a combined one run with 16 total strikeouts and four walks. Simply put, Jobe is electric on the mound. If promoted to Triple-A, his starts in Toledo will be a must-see for Mud Hens fans looking to get a glimpse of the potential future ace.
Besides Jobe, other names at Double-A Erie that could wind up in Toledo this season include infielder Hao-Yu Lee and infielder/outfielder Trei Cruz.
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