SB Nation - Mike Hollimon

Morning Prowl: Bird Notes, Injured Seawolves, Alfredo Figaro, and Runner-Up Rings

Ian Casselberry — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:00:14 -0000

Maybe this makes me hypocritical for posting a link, but I could've done without learning exactly how Mark Fidrych died. Knowing that he was found under his truck was enough of an indication that something rather grisly had taken place.

It turns out that pain Casper Wells was feeling down his arm indicated something serious. He's fractured the hamate bone in his left hand, an injury that will keep him out six to eight weeks.

Also hurting down in Erie is Michael Hollimon, who bruised his left knee after sliding into a fence while trying to catch a foul ball.

(via Jason Beck)

It's not all bad news from Erie, however. Alfredo Figaro threw seven no-hit innings for the Seawolves last night, striking out five and walking three. After facing him twice this season, and failing to score in 12.2 innings, the Altoona Curve must be having nightmares about this guy. Take 75 North has more details from the game in its recap.

The Spot Starters looks at five Tigers who are struggling thus far. Maybe a long road trip can kick-start a couple of these guys.

Have you tried your hand at the latest round of Tigers Trivia? Thanks to Michigan and Trumbull for bringing some fun to the FanPosts.

Mack Avenue Tigers already likes the 2009 edition of the Tigers more than the '07 or '08 versions. I definitely agree with him that it's gratifying to see these guys go nine full innings (The Tao of Leyland!), where as last year's team often checked out when they fell behind.

The Dugout has posted a tribute to Fidrych, written as only they could do it, with The Bird having a conversation in heaven. Meanwhile, Jeff Pearlman bought a poster of Fidrych at a flea market 20 years ago, and it's stayed with him ever since.

Both Roar of the Tigers and Take 75 North will catch some of the Tigers' series in Seattle this weekend. Apparently, I missed the memo on that. Or just planned badly, as I'll be visiting Seattle in two weeks, after the Tigers are long gone (and the A's are in town). It could also be a MVN conspiracy.

I forgot to include this in yesterday's Prowl, but Big League Stew had an interesting debate on Wednesday, one that definitely applies here: Should World Series runners-up hand out league championship rings?

I remember thinking it was pretty cool in 2007, when the Tigers received their AL championship rings. And it sort of signified that competitive baseball was back in Detroit. Yet I also remember thinking that perhaps too big a deal was being made, considering they lost the World Series.

Tigers Reassign Six Players to Minors

Ian Casselberry — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:00:12 -0000

Per Jason Beck via Twitter, the Detroit Tigers passed out minor league assignments to six players this morning.

Catcher Alex Avila and shortstop Cale Iorg were reassigned to minor league camp. Pitcher Chris Lambert, infielder Michael Hollimon, and outfielder Casper Wells were dispatched to Triple-A Toledo. And pitcher Zach Simons was assigned to Double-A Erie.

The cuts leave the Tigers with 49 players remaining in major league camp.

Morning Prowl: Fingernails Yanked, Piling on FOX Sports Detroit, and Buh-Buh-Buh-Billups!

Ian Casselberry — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:00:09 -0000

If you think you're having a bad day, put yourself in Michael Hollimon's shoes. Dude might be getting his fingernail yanked out after getting it bent back by a throw in yesterday's game.

While we're talking about Tigers second base prospects, Jim Leyland thinks Will Rhymes is a dirtball. And he meant it as a compliment. Leyland also takes a funny shot at Sparky Anderson in the article.

(via The Cutoff Man)

How tricky can it be to play center field at Comerica Park? Curtis Granderson has some thoughts on the matter and is working hard to get better at it.

I'm with Old English D. How could the Tigers-Venezuela exhibition game have not been televised? (When 'Duk heard how long it was before any Tigers spring action was on TV, he was flabbergasted.)

Tiger Geist saw plenty of positives in the boxscore of that game, by the way.

DesigNate Robertson piles onto FOX Sports Detroit for not showing any Tigers Spring Training games thus far, especially considering that Sports Time Ohio has already shown quite a few Indians games.

Meanwhile, I'm mad that FSD put Chauncey Billups's return to Detroit on FSN Plus Tuesday night. (I was trapped in a place without digital cable.) Fortunately, Need4Sheed has video of Chauncey's introduction to the crowd. Buh-buh-buh-buh-Billups!

(Is there now any doubt now that that was a terrible trade by Joe Dumars?)

With the onset of spring, all things begin to bloom again. And so does Beefshower return with a post at Mickey Tettleton Memorial Overpass. The journey he's taken since October - physical and emotional - is epic... at least in terms of word count.

And don't forget to stay up late or set your DVRs, as the aforementioned Mr. Granderson will be part of the Team USA gang reading the Top Ten list on the Late Show with David Letterman tonight.

Detroit Tigers Batting Stances, Past and Present

Ian Casselberry — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 02:15:41 -0000

It seemed like kind of a slow news day in Tiger Town today (Michael Hollimon might need a fingernail removed, and Wilkin Ramirez had a collision at first base), which gives me a chance to post a video that I saw on Facebook a week ago. (Thanks, Don!) You may or may not be familiar with Batting Stance Guy, but he can do some pretty funny stuff:

I'm mostly wishing I'd have thought of this myself. If YouTube had been around 12-15 years ago, I could've been a contender. Anyway, here's his take on several Detroit Tigers past and present.

So what did you think? Not sure about the Maggs or Grandy, but the Trammell and Tettleton stances were pretty good.

But really, I was disappointed in the Tony Phillips stance. Remember how he used to pump his bat up and down before setting his hands? (Eventually, he got rid of that, with some prodding from Sparky.) And no spitting? Personally, I think mine would be way better. (I also did a great Gary Carter, but this might be the wrong crowd.)

Hollimon Healing Fast

Ian Casselberry — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:00:09 -0000

If you were ready to write off Michael Hollimon for at least half of the 2009 season because of his injured shoulder, you might want to re-evaluate those assumptions.

Tagging along with the Tigers' Winter Caravan, Jason Beck spoke with Hollimon in Toledo, who said that shoulder was at "90-95 strength" and able to handle "baseball activities" in his workouts back in Texas. Things are going so well, apparently, that he plans to report to Lakeland a couple of weeks before Spring Training.

Not only would this be good in terms of providing infield depth against injury in 2009, but if Placido Polanco ends up not returning to the Tigers for 2010, Hollimon could be a front-runner to replace him at second base. And having a full season to further develop his skills could go a long way toward determining that.

One more bit of possible good news: Beck also mentioned that Clete Thomas is recovering from his elbow injury ahead of schedule. The Cult is pleased.

Hollimon Out For Half of 2009?

Ian Casselberry — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 11:45:04 -0000

Yet another Detroit Tigers prospect will miss both Arizona Fall League play and at least some of next season due to an injury that requires offseason surgery.

The Freep's Jon Paul Morosi reports that infielder Michael Hollimon had a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder repaired by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, AL on Thursday. Rehabilitation for such a procedure is typically six to nine months. As a result, Hollimon is expected to miss half of the 2009 season.

Hollimon originally dislocated his shoulder in Spring Training while diving for a ball. The injury kept him out until late April.

In 11 games (25 plate appearances) with the Tigers this season, Hollimon batted .261/.280/.565 with one home run and two RBIs. Defensively, he played at second base, shortstop, and third base.

William Rhymes will replace Hollimon on the Tigers' Arizona Fall League roster. Playing mostly at second base with Double-A Erie, he batted .307/.363/.392 with three home runs, 62 RBIs, eight triples, and 17 stolen bases.

With Triple-A Toledo, Hollimon had a .211/.306/.420 average with 15 homers and 33 RBIs in 91 games (385 plate appearances). After returning to the Mud Hens following his major league stint, he batted just .154 in 40 games.

Zach Attack: Tigers 6, Royals 3

Ian Casselberry — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:00:06 -0000

So, Jim Leyland, what exactly does Zach Miner have to do to be a part of next season's starting rotation? Geez, he should be in the rotation.

"People are saying, 'Geez, he should be in the rotation.' But it's not good to go that far at this point," Leyland said.

Well, if you say so. You're the boss. But seriously, Miner's looking pretty good as a starter. Certainly better than approximately 3/5 of the current rotation. In eight starts, Miner has a 5-1 record and 2.68 ERA. Last night, he gave up six hits to the Royals, which is the total number of hits he allowed in his previous two starts against KC, but held them to just one run over six innings.

I suppose I understand Leyland's stance. If Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis, Jeremy Bonderman, and maybe even Freddy Garcia all come back strong next year, there's not a slot for Miner in next year's starting rotation. So why give the kid false hope? At the same time, maybe Miner's pitching this well because he believes he's fighting for a spot on the team. And if you tell him he's got it, maybe he lets up a little bit.

Regardless of the role Miner has on next year's team, working as a starter has allowed him to refine his arsenal, making him a more complete pitcher. Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Leyland?

"He's a four-pitch pitcher now. Zach was basically a two-pitch pitcher out of the bullpen. He got some confidence now and good concentration. He knows how to handle and execute the game plan now."

Those four pitches, if you're keeping track, are a fastball, slider, change-up, and sinker. As a reliever, Miner mostly used his fastball and slider. But with the opportunity to throw more as a starter, he's been able to develop that sinker.

Miner said that in relief he used the fastball and slider to most right-handed hitters, while going with basically fastballs and changeups to lefties. Now he uses all three of those pitches with a sinker, which was especially effective against the Royals.

Geez, he should be in the rotation.

Short Hops:

▪▪ After leaving the game in the fifth inning with a strained pectoral muscle, Miguel Cabrera is listed as day-to-day. (Isn't the whole team, at this point?)

▪▪ Dontrelle Willis will be activated to the Tigers' major league roster on Monday. He may not see any actual game action, but will at least be working with pitching coach Chuck Hernandez for the rest of the season. Will Freddy Garcia be doing the same?

▪▪ Michael Hollimon has been added to the squad of Tigers players headed to Mesa for the Arizona Fall League. He'll join Jeff Larish, Clete Thomas, Casey Fien, Luis Marte, Zach Simons, and Rudy Darrow.