Kyle

Sleeth

Sleeth, the third overall pick in the 2003 draft, could move up to Double-A in a month or so. There’s very little chance that he’ll see time in the majors this season.

Over seven starts for Lakeland, Sleeth has an 11.37 ERA and a 7/20 K/BB in 19 innings. The Tigers have decided against sending Sleeth to the Arizona Fall League, so his season is nearly over.

There weren’t any Mark Priors in today’s draft, but the Tigers may have gotten the best college pitcher available. Sleeth is a 21-year-old out of Wake Forest. He’s considered less polished than Tim Stauffer, but he may have a little more upside.

Sleeth, the third overall pick in the 2003 draft, may not be ready to resume pitching in the minors until next June.

Sleeth impressed in spring training, giving the Tigers reason for optimism that they hadn’t completely wasted the third overall pick in the 2003 draft. However, he had given up 19 runs -- 15 earned -- in 12 2/3 innings for Double-A Erie this season. It looks like he might be one of those pitchers that just don’t make it back after Tommy John surgery.

The Tigers were hoping Sleeth would be all the way back from Tommy John surgery this year, but the third overall pick in the 2003 draft had an 8.03 ERA in 37 innings in the low minors. He’s a huge long shot at this point.

Sleeth never made it all of the way back Tommy John surgery and was removed from Detroit’s 40-man roster in August. “My arm’s at full strength now, but I never got back the velocity where I was previously,” Sleeth said. “With some guys, their velocity goes up afterward and with some guys it doesn’t. I didn’t gain any velocity, I lost velocity, but that’s what I had to work with.” He finished a 2007 season spent mostly at Single-A Lakeland with an 8.11 ERA in 77 2/3 IP.

Sleeth, the third overall pick last year, is 3-2 with a 3.19 ERA, 28 H and 26/6 K/BB in 31 IP this season. He could join Detroit’s rotation as soon as next season.

Sleeth, who underwent Tommy John surgery in June, has been throwing bullpen sessions twice a week, but only fastballs and changeups while he strengthens his arm. He won’t be ready for the start of the minor league season.