Brent Dlugach News

Thursday postgame: Dlugach on a power trip
BECK'S BLOG
Posted on March 4, 2010 at 8:18 PM

Call it the product of a healthy offseason workout program, or the gusty winds in Florida the last couple days, or finally rounding out the offensive side of his game, but the Tigers' leading hitter so far is Brent Dlugach.

At the moment, in fact, he's statistically one of the top hitters in the Grapefruit League, sharing the league lead in homers with at least four others.

Sure, they're just two games in. But it's fun to point out, especially when it's somebody who has had so little of a chance to show what he can do in the big leagues.

The Tigers drafted Dlugach in 2004 as a defense-first SS out of the University of Memphis. He had middling offensive stats at pretty much every stop on his way through the Tigers farm system except for a short stint at Double-A Erie in 2007. It was short because a shoulder injury ended it.

Dlugach underwent shoulder surgery in 2007 and missed most of 2008 in recovery. His first full season post-surgery came last, and it came with a big jump to Triple-A Toledo, where they needed a shortstop.

What happened in all that time off, what actually helped him, he said, was that he spent most of the previous year in the gym working out. He was stronger physically than at any other point in his pro career, and he could fight off pitches and punch line drives better than before. The result was a Triple-A All-Star season with a .294 average, 36 doubles, nine home runs and 59 RBIs.

He's even stronger this year, quite a bit stronger, after another offseason working out. Because more time has passed since shoulder surgery, he could do more upper-body work. He also put on quite a few pounds of muscle, which would take him over the 200-pound mark for his 6-foot-4 frame. That doesn't make him a power hitter by any means, but it's starting to look like he can hold his own.

"He's doing fine," Leyland said. "He's strong. He's a pretty big kid. He's got some strength."

What the Tigers do with Dlugach is going to be interesting, moreso down the line than out of this camp. He has options left and the Tigers have a shortstop opening at Toledo, so unless Ramon Santiago or someone else is injured in camp, he appears set to open the season as a Mud Hen again. But the left side of the Tigers infield is up for free agency at season's end, and with the jury still out on Tigers shortstop prospects, it's conceivable another solid year could open some eyes. For this camp, though, he's likely to see a little more time at second and third base while Gustavo Nunez and Audy Ciriaco are in camp.

That sure glove is still there, too, and he's starting to show it at those other positions. After entering Thursday's game against the Blue Jays at second base, he made a nice play on a one-hopper with the infield in.

FROM BECKS BLOG:
Posted on March 24, 2010 at 1:16 AM

Leyland continues to tout how impressed he has been with shortstop Brent Dlugach, to the point where you have to keep an eye on him this season assuming he opens at Triple-A Toledo as the regular shortstop. "He could be a utility player right now, from what I've seen, but he could also end up [someday] being an everyday shortstop," Leyland said. "He looks like a totally different player."

Tigers trade Dlugach, outright Bonine, three others
BECK'S BLOG
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 2:19 PM

Brent Dlugach began the year as a potential Tigers infield prospect in the upper ranks of their farm system, and went into the season as somebody to watch after an impressive Spring Training. Now, he's part of the Red Sox ranks, having been traded Thursday as part of the Tigers' moves take four Minor League free agents off their 40-man roster.

Also removed from the roster were right-handers Eddie Bonine and Jay Sborz, catcher Max St. Pierre and outfielder Jeff Frazier. All of them were outrighted to Triple-A Toledo, making them eligible to become six-year minor league free agents. Bonine elected to become a free agent immediately, while the others will become free agents on Nov. 6.

Of the group, Bonine had by far the most time in the big leagues this year, having spent the entire season in Detroit's bullpen. The 29-year-old knuckleballer went 4-1 with a 4.63 ERA in 47 appearances, all but one of them in relief.

Bonine went into the All-Star break with a 4-0 record and a 2.81 ERA before struggling down the stretch, allowing 22 earned runs on 47 hits over 26 1/3 innings. Opponents batted .395 against him after the break. He was inconsistent with his knuckleball, especially late in the season, and hitters began to simply sit on his fastball.

Dlugach was briefly seen as a potential shortstop option, but a slow start at Triple-A Toledo and a high strikeout total left him looking up at the big leagues. He batted .258 for the year with the Mud Hens with six home runs, 41 RBIs, 12 stolen bases and 149 strikeouts over 117 games.

The Red Sox will send over a player to be named later or cash as part of the trade.

St. Pierre finally made it to the big leagues after 14 years in the Minor Leagues, all but one of them in the Tigers organization. He'll most likely have a spot back in the system if he wants it, but it remains to be seen what he wants to do.

Detroit Tigers bring back infielder Brent Dlugach on minor league deal
Published: Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 2:05 PM Updated: Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 2:12 PM
By James Schmehl | jschmehl@mlive.com

After spending the past season in the Boston Red Sox’s organization, infielder Brent Dlugach is back with the Detroit Tigers after agreeing to a minor league contract.

Dlugach, 28, announced the deal on his Twitter account last Friday.

...