Shore is an accomplished college pitcher whose quick rise to the majors.

"Logan Shore is the newest prospect in the Detroit Tigers’ farm system — literally. The Tigers acquired Shore as the player to be named later in their midseason trade with the Oakland Athletics Adrian Gonzalez Jersey , finalizing the deal on September 19. Because of this, Shore did not appear in any games with a Tigers affiliate in 2018, instead ending his season after a somewhat disappointing run with the Midland RockHounds, Oakland’s Double-A affiliate in the Texas League.While Shore looks the part of a typical Tigers prospect — he’s a big-bodied righthander who pitched in the SEC in college — he doesn’t have the high-octane stuff we have normally seen them target in the past. However, his polished profile, excellent track record, and above-average command makes him a potential back-of-the-rotation starter, which would be a nice get for a couple months of Mike Fiers’ services.BackgroundHow good was Logan Shore in college? The Florida Gators had three different first round picks on their roster while he was in school — A.J. Puk, Brady Singer, and Tigers prospect Alex Faedo, for those keeping score — but Shore was their Friday night starter, and arguably better than all three. He won 30 games in three years and managed a 2.41 ERA in 312 college innings, striking out nearly four batters for every walk. He was Perfect Game’s Freshman of the Year in 2014, a two-time All-SEC performer, and a unanimous All-American in his junior season.This isn’t to say Shore went unnoticed on draft day. The Oakland Athletics picked him up in the second round in 2016, making him the 46th overall pick that year. He made quick work of his competition in rookie ball that summer, as most polished college prospects do. Unfortunately, a lat injury sidelined him for two months in 2017, limiting him to just 80 2鈦? innings across two levels. However, despite a 4.09 ERA Jose Bautista Jersey , he managed a stellar 4.63 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 17 appearances at High-A Stockton. He made a few more dominant starts in High-A to begin 2018, but took a step back once he moved up to Double-A; in 68 2鈦? innings, Shore allowed a 5.50 ERA and struck out just 16.1 percent of the hitters he faced.StrengthsShore’s best attribute is his excellent control, which has helped him limit walks at every level he has pitched. Even when struggling in Double-A last year, he walked just 6.1 percent of the hitters he faced, a passable rate for any pitcher. Shore is able to throw all three of his pitches for strikes, and can spot his fastball and changeup on both sides of the strike zone. He is still working on the command side of the spectrum, and will need to refine all three of his pitches to make his somewhat pedestrian arsenal (more on that in a bit) at the highest levels of the game. But there is potential here — FanGraphs noted at this time last year that Shore could potentially have plus command at his peak.The key to Shore’s entire arsenal is a plus changeup, which is easily his best pitch. John Sickels, formerly of Minor League Ball, said it was “already a major league quality plus pitch” before Shore was even drafted, and the needle hasn’t moved much on that since then. Both FanGraphs and MLB Pipeline also grade the pitch as a plus offering, with Pipeline saying Shore “locates and sinks [the changeup] extremely well.” While no outlets are offering a specific velocity band for that pitch, reports of an impressive differential between it and his low-90s fastball lead us to believe he works in the low 80s with the change.That difference in velocity is essential for Shore. His fastball is somewhat fringey, as a low-90s pitch, but gets on hitters quicker because he is able to differentiate it from his changeup. His heater won’t get any lofty grades from scouting outlets, but it plays up because he locates it well and can play it off of the changeup.WeaknessesIf Shore had just a little more gas on his fastball, he might be one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. Shore sits in the low 90s with his heater, and has topped out as high as 94 miles per hour. This has improved somewhat since his college days, but it isn’t fast enough to miss many bats. MLB Pipeline is higher on the pitch than most http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-tim-tebow-jersey , grading it as an above-average offering “with late sinking action that nets him many ground balls.” FanGraphs isn’t nearly as kind, giving it a 40 grade at present. Though Shore’s fastball plays higher than that thanks to his control and the threat of his changeup, he doesn’t have the room for error that a pitcher working in the mid-90s does.Shore’s other big weakness is a slider that hasn’t improved much since his college days. Wayne Cavadi gave a nice summary at the now-defunct Minor League Ball when the Tigers acquired Shore.Both Pipeline and FanGraphs gave the slider below-average grades, citing similar concerns about the shape and consistency of the pitch. Shore will need to refine his breaking ball if he hopes to stick in the starting rotation.If there is a theme here, it’s a general lack of bite from Shore’s raw stuff. He certainly has the means to make things work, but without a bigger fastball or a swing-and-miss offering — even the changeup isn’t a true “out” pitch yet — Shore’s margin for error is much slimmer than most pitchers. He throws hard enough that the “crafty righty” label isn’t quite appropriate, but he isn’t far off from that zone. His game doesn’t need a major overhaul, other than maybe the slider, but rather could stand to improve slightly in several different areas.Projected team: Double-A Erie SeaWolvesThe Tigers have something of a logjam in their Double-A rotation right now. As many as seven starters could begin the year with Erie, and that rough count does not even include top prospect Casey Mize. That said, Shore should get one of the spots. He spent most of his 2018 season at Double-A, but was roughed up by the advanced competition he faced. If Shore can get back on track, he could be a pitcher we see the Tigers fast track. Not only will it clear any roster issues at the Double-A level (especially with Mize likely on the way), but it will also give them a chance to see what they have in Shore. Even the best case scenario might not include a big league call-up — though he will be Rule 5 eligible next winter — but it certainly could put him in the mix to make the team in 2020. LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers are in ongoing negotiations with ace Clayton Kershaw, and they still need to resolve the future of manager Dave Roberts, too.According to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, the talks with Kershaw’s camp are “ongoingly pleasant.”The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and the team agreed to extend the deadline on Kershaw’s opt-out decision by 40 hours until 1 p.m. PDT Friday.Kershaw can opt out of the last two years and $65 million of his contract to become a free agent for the first time in an 11-year big league career spent entirely with the Dodgers.If he chooses free agency, Kershaw could negotiate with any team, including the Dodgers.“He’s made as much of an impact as you can on an organization in terms of the success we’ve had,” Friedman said Thursday. “Not just on the field but from a culture standpoint in terms of bringing up young pitchers and emulating the work ethic Devin Mesoraco Jersey , the drive.”Kershaw signed a $215 million, seven-year contract in January 2014 that calls for salaries of $32 million next year and $33 million in 2020. He was 9-5 with a 2.73 ERA this season.The Dodgers and Roberts discussed a contract extension going back to spring training without reaching a deal. Roberts has said he expects to be back next year.“It wasn’t an issue at all to kind of table it and pick it up when we were done playing,” Friedman said.Both Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi expressed support for Roberts, who got booed during the World Series for some of his on-field decisions.“We both feel very strongly that those strategic decisions are the result of a process,” Zaidi said. “We believe and we continue to have full confidence in his process. I also think when you start putting the microscope on little individual decisions it’s also taking credit away from the other team. The Red Sox were a terrific team.”Zaidi said Roberts’ coaching staff will be brought back next season.The Dodgers dropped under the luxury tax threshold this year after paying nearly $150 million over the previous five seasons, although Friedman wouldn’t say if Los Angeles plans to be under next year’s $206 million threshold.“There’s no question that we have plenty of resources to win a World Series next year,” he said. “The talent on hand and the flexibility to do that I think is definitely there.”Earlier this week, MLB.com reported rival San Francisco was interested in talking to Zaidi about a job in its baseball operations department. Zaidi previously spent a decade working in Oakland’s front office before joining the Dodgers four years ago.“I’m not going to comment on that,” he said. “Right now my focus is on the Dodgers until you guys tell me otherwise.”The team’s top free agents are:— Manny Machado. The shortstop was acquired from Baltimore in July and played outstanding defense. But he hit .182 in the World Series and drew ire for his admitted lack of hustle and overly aggressive base-running that earned him a $10,000 fine from Major League Baseball.“It wasn’t a great look,” Friedman said. “I don’t think it got to the fact that he didn’t care. I think he did care and his teammates really liked him and respected him.”Corey Seager continues recovering from Tommy John and hip surgeries, and the Dodgers expect him back at short in time for opening day.— Hyun-Jin Ryu. The 31-year-old South Korean pitcher has spent his entire five-year MLB career with the Dodgers. The left-hander was 7-3 with a 1.97 ERA in 15 regular-season starts and spent time on the disabled list with a groin injury. He stumbled in the NL Championship Series and World Series.— Yasmani Grandal. The catcher went 4 for 29 with 15 strikeouts in the postseason. He struggled defensively in the NLCS and was replaced by Austin Barnes.The remaining free agents are relievers John Axford, Daniel Hudson and Ryan Madson, and second baseman Brian Dozier.“I’m sure there will be some turnover,” Friedman said. “How much it’s tough to say right now.”The Dodgers got one bit of business completed Thursday night, agreeing to terms with David Freese on a one-year contract after the club option of $6 million was declined.The 35-year-old infielder joined the team in August after a trade from Pittsburgh.Freese was 8 for 22 with two home runs, six RBIs and a walk in 14 postseason games while platooning at first base. He hit .385 in 19 regular-season games with Los Angeles.With Chase Utley having just retired, Freese could fill his veteran leadership role in the clubhouse.Also Thursday, the Dodgers acquired infielder Justin Yurchak from the Chicago White Sox for left-handed pitcher Manny Banuelos.