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Tigers '08 Drafts To West Michigan

The West Michigan Whitecaps in conjuction with the Detroit Tigers have announced that three 2008 draft picks will be added to the 'Caps roster. Catcher Alex Avila, pitcher Brett Jacobson, and outfielder Andy Dirks will get their first taste of professional baseball in West Michigan.

Whitecaps Capture Playoff Spot

The three-way battle between the West Michigan Whitecaps, Lansing Lugnuts, and Fort Wayne Wizards for the Midwest League East Division playoffs came to a head this past weekend when the final games of the first half of the season were played out. With a 6-3 win over Fort Wayne last Saturday, the 'Caps won the wild card spot for the Eastern Division, meaning they will go to the playoffs for the fifth year in a row. Lansing clinched the first half title when they defeated the Great Lakes Loons last Sunday 18-6. The Whitecaps ended up one game behind the Lugnuts.

The Tigers Future On The Mound

With the Detroit Tigers pitching staff getting roughed up this season on a regular basis, we as fans must look to the minors for the future arms of the franchise.

In West Michigan, LHP Jon Kibler was named the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week for May 12-18. The southpaw from Freeland, MD went 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA in 16.0 innings last week and is 4-1 with a 2.06 ERA and 40 strikeouts to nine walks this season. The Tigers selected Kibler in the 30th round of the 2007 draft. This is the third consecutive week that a Whitecaps pitcher has won the MWL award. RHP Alfredo Figaro won the award on May 5 and LHP Ramon Garcia won the award on May 12.