Cale Iorg

Iorg was once considered Detroit’s top prospect at shortstop, but a disappointing 2009 campaign with Double-A Erie has dropped his stock a bit. The 24-year-old hit just .225/.277/.339 for the SeaWolves, putting him behind Brent Dlugach, Audy Ciriaco and Gustavo Nunez in the shortstop pecking order. The Tigers still think highly of Iorg, but he’ll have to improve his offense to climb back up the prospect ladder.

Iorg, Detroit's sixth-round pick in 2007, missed some time last season due to a shoulder strain but managed to put together a decent first full season at High-A Lakeland. Some scouts think he's still rusty after taking two years off to fulfill a Mormon mission. Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski implied this winter that Iorg could contend for the team's opening at shortstop this spring. Adam Everett was brought in to serve as the stopgap in 2009, so it seems unlikely that Iorg will get a chance to start in the majors this year. He's not ready anyway. However, the team obviously is high on his potential which makes him one to watch this season. A good year at Double-A could get him to the majors soon.

Drafted in the sixth round of the 2007 draft out of the University of Alabama, Iorg hasn't played for two years due to his Mormon mission. He's got some rust to shake off, but scouts like his athleticism, bloodlines and defensive ability.