Looking at the two newest Tigers, Jeimer Candelario & Isaac Paredes

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The Tigers swung another trade, this time sending Justin Wilson and Alex Avila to the Chicago Cubs for Jeimer Candelario, Isaac Paredes, and a player to be named later or cash. While I was hoping for a more Aroldis Chapman return (a Tigers fan can dream), the market just didn’t seem to be as giving as last year. That being said the Tigers did get some good ones. Let’s take a look at the return the Tigers got.

Jeimer Candelario, 1B/3B (MLB # 92, MLB Pipeline Cubs #1, Prospects 1500 Cubs #4)

Candelario is the prize of the trade. The Cubs #1 and the MLB #92 prospect slots in as the top position prospect player in the Tigers system. He has the make-up to be the next third baseman or could slot over to first base. Jeimer is a switch hitter and does appear to have some pop. He is hitting .266/.361/.507 on the year in AAA and has played some for the Cubs as well, hitting .152/.222/.303 in limited action. He seems to hit quite a few doubles (27 on the year), which I could see turning into triples in deep Comerica Park. He appears to have a good eye for the ball and will draw a good share of walks as well (he has 41 for the year in AAA). He has the make up to me to be a 20–30 home run hitter (currently 12 on the year in AAA), with quite a bit of extra base power, and someone with a strong on base percentage. He doesn’t play bad defense either and is a definite upgrade over Nicholas Castellanos. I could see him slotting in at 3B for the big league club in the near future. Candelario will report to Triple-A and appears set to finish the season with the Mudhens, with a chance to fight for a big league spot in the spring. Look for him to slot into my August prospect ratings in the Top 5.

Isaac Paredes, SS (MLB Pipeline Cubs #10, Prospects 1500 #21)

Paredes can be a steal in a couple of years. He is young, as he is only 18 and his holding his own in A ball. On the year, he has .264/.343/.401 with 7 home runs, 29 walks, and a low strikeout rate. He definitely appears to be a bat first player and I don’t think he’ll stick at SS, as his lack of speed and poor glove work makes him better suited for 2B, while other evaluations I’ve read said he is more destined to be a 3B. So if you draft, I would not expect him to stick at SS, especially with some of the Tigers other trade pickups this season that are more advanced them him. I think after a couple years, he could be the Tigers next bat first 2B, probably hitting in the .270-.300 range, with some power, probably more of a double hitter, but I could see him being a 15 to 20 home run hitter a year. He has been assigned to A West Michigan and begins play with them today. He looks to be on track for High-A Lakeland next year and I think the Tigers will give him time to develop, so I would not expect him in Detroit for a couple of years. He is an intriguing prospect and will definitely slot into the top 15 in my August prospect update.

Article featured image Jeimer Candelario – courtesy of Baseball America/Mike Janes photo

Nick Bradford

Nick Bradford is a writer for Prospects 1500 covering the Detroit Tigers. He resides in southeast Michigan with his wife and daughter. He is an avid fan of the Tigers, the Mudhens, and anything baseball (fantasy or MLB). He is a graduate of Central Michigan University and works as a support manager for a software company. Follow me on Twitter at @firedupchippewa.