Detroit Tigers' top prospect Alex Faedo makes pro debut

Alex Faedo has made his much-awaited professional debut.

The Tigers’ right-handed pitching prospect, selected with the No. 18 pick in last year’s MLB Draft, began his season on Friday evening with Class A Lakeland.

Faedo was solid against the Tampa Yankees, allowing two runs on two hits in five innings. He struck out four batters and walked none. Faedo struggled in the first inning — allowing two home runs — but buckled down from there: He did not allow a base runner after the first inning, retiring the last 13 men.

For Faedo, it represented the next step in what the Tigers hope is a fulfilling professional career. The team shut him down last season after his Florida Gators won the College World Series, hoping to avoid wear on his arm.

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As a junior, he posted a 2.26 ERA with 157 strikeouts in 123 2/3 innings and was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player. This spring, he pitched well in big-league camp and is considered one of the top pitching prospects in the organization.

He is ranked the No. 2 prospect in the Tigers’ system, according to Baseball America, and No. 50 across all of baseball.

Faedo, 22, throws with a funky delivery that reminds some of former Tiger Max Scherzer. The scouting community is split on his potential but nearly all agree that his future as a tall, big-bodied righty is in the starting rotation. Faedo is not on a strict innings count this season; it is likely the Tigers will try to push him near 150, given full health. If he performs well, there is a decent chance he could finish the season at Double-A Erie, which would put him on the fast track to Detroit.

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.

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