Detroit Tigers fans have seen the team trade away plenty of veteran talent in the past calendar year. The organization’s move to a full-on rebuild has opened the door for more younger players to seize opportunities.
So far, former top prospects like outfielder JaCoby Jones, relief pitcher Joe Jimenez and infielders Dixon Machado and Jeimer Candelario are playing key roles.
More of the organization’s best prospects are likely to debut in the coming months and years with so much talent in the upper levels of the Detroit farm system.
One of the prospects who could be in the Motor City sooner rather than later is relief pitcher Mark Ecker.
A fifth-round pick of the Tigers in the 2016 draft out of Texas A&M, the right-handed Ecker mixes in a changeup and a slider with his fastball. The San Antonio native pitched for both Rookie-Ball Connecticut and Single-A West Michigan in his first professional season, working to a 0.98 ERA, a 0.759 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 27.2 innings. He allowed just five walks, three earned runs and a home run.
The 2017 campaign saw Ecker move further up the organizational ladder, splitting the campaign between Single-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie.
The 22-year-old tossed 61.2 innings, punching out 81 hitters in the process. His ERA and WHIP finished at 3.06 and 1.249 respectively.
Ecker also participated in the Arizona Fall League, where he stood out by firing 5.1 scoreless frames in four appearances. All told, the right-hander allowed only three hits while striking out seven.
A closer in college, the reliever has accumulated 20 saves so far in the minors, including one this season with Erie, where he began the year.
In nine innings, Ecker has struck out 10 compared to eight hits, four earned runs and three walks allowed. He’s also surrendered a home run. As it stands, his xFIP currently sits at 2.95.
The pitcher, who you can follow on Twitter at @marckecker28, took the time to answer some questions about a variety of topics.
Q: You were one of a number of Tigers prospects who saw action in the Arizona Fall League last season. How would you describe your experience playing in the desert? Did it help you in any specific ways ahead of the 2018 season?
A: I loved every bit of playing in the Arizona Fall League. Being able to pitch there against the top prospects from every organization, while getting to learn from the coaching staffs there had a huge impact on me. It taught me that you don’t necessarily need to go out there and try to do more than you are capable of. If you just stay within yourself and pitch, then you can have success. I went into the fall league with the mind set of “less is more,” and frankly it ended up paying off for me there.
Q: Last year you made the jump from Advanced-A Lakeland to Double-A Erie, where you threw 18 innings and obviously started 2018 with the SeaWolves. What’s been the biggest adjustment you’ve had to make moving to the Double-A level?
A: The biggest adjustment that I am still going through at the moment is commanding the zone during every at-bat. In High-A I could get away with “out-stuffing” most hitters, but what I learned once I reached Double-A last year is that only by executing your pitches will give you the outcomes that you want. Also, I have been using my changeup more which allows my fastball to play better.
Q: What are your goals for the season?
A: It’s hard to set goals for yourself during the season. Obviously overall you want to make the big leagues. Some small goals of mine would be to have a ratio of 1:1 or less for innings to hits, 1:1 strikeouts per inning or better, get hitters out in under 4 pitches, and my most important goal is to keep the walks to a bare minimum. Keeping the walks to a bare minimum will allow me to minimize runs allowed without the opposing team from really earning it.
Q: Are there any pitchers who you try to model your game after or emulate certain pitches after? Why them?
A: A pitcher who I try and model some things from his mechanics is Roger Clemens. If you pay close attention to Clemens, you would see that he has such a strong base when he lands from his delivery and finishes nice and loose. I think that is important to keep things short and simple, that way it minimizes room for error. Keeping things short and simple like he does keeps me from coming out of my delivery which I struggled with for a long time and still struggle with at times today.
Q: What’s it like being part of an organization in the midst of a rebuild where you know that the team is going to start relying on young players like yourself?
A: It’s definitely a good place to be in for sure for every person in the organization. There will be room for a lot of opportunity. I’m not too worried about it right now because I know that if I take care of my own business then everything will fall in to place.
Rapid-fire
Q: Favorite player growing up?
A: I didn’t really have a favorite player growing up. I didn’t watch much tv as a kid because most of the time I was playing outdoors with my sisters and neighborhood friends.
Q: Which manager or coach has had the biggest impact on your career so far?
A: The coach that has had the biggest impact on my career so far would be Coach Childress of Texas A&M University. He is the one who taught me how to throw strikes, helped me develop a changeup, and ultimately made me a better man. Without him I wouldn’t be in the position that I am today.
Q: Most memorable/favorite minor league stop so far and why?
A: My most memorable minor league stop so far is by far Grand Rapids Michigan. Playing for the Whitecaps was an unreal experience in my first season right out of college. The fans, stadium, and atmosphere was absolutely second to none!
