Countdown to Spring Training: RHP Grayson Long

1/26/2018

The Mud Hens return to Fifth Third Field for the season opener April 12 vs. Pawtucket.

Blade/Dave Zapotosky

The Tigers will open spring training Feb. 13, which means baseball season is coming. Here is a daily look at players with possible ties to the 2018 Mud Hens, whose home opener is set for April 12 vs. Pawtucket.

RHP Grayson Long

History: The Tigers received Long from the Los Angeles Angels as part of the return in the Justin Upton trade. Long began last season at High Single-A Inland Empire and was 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts in the California League, which is considered a hitter’s league. He was promoted to Double-A Mobile in the Southern League and thrived, posting an 8-6 record, 2.52 ERA, and 111 strikeouts in 121⅔ innings before he was traded to Detroit. A third-round pick in 2015 from Texas A&M, Long made one start for Double-A Erie and allowed eight hits and six runs in four innings.

Future: Long is ranked as the No. 14 prospect in the Detroit organization by MiLB.com, and the 23-year-old will enter just his third full professional season in 2018. Because there are a number of highly regarded prospects who might start the season with Erie, there is a good chance Long is a candidate to begin the year with the Mud Hens instead.

Click here for a full list of Mud Hens spring training bios.

Contact John Wagner at jwagner@theblade.com, 419-724-6481, or on Twitter @jwagnerblade.