Austin Kubitza

Backed by a strong campaign with Low-A West Michigan, Kubitza was named the Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2014. Kubitza’s strong season has him quickly climbing the club’s prospect rankings. The big (6-5, 225) righty out of Rice has an effective low-90s fastball that induces a lot of groundballs and a devastating slider that he uses as an out-pitch. He’s still developing a changeup and needs to work on his control, but Kubitza made strides in both areas last season. As impressive as he was in 2014, Kubitza will need to replicate that success at higher levels of the minors before he gets a legit look from the Tigers. With another strong showing in 2015, the 23-year-old could be on the team’s radar for 2016.