Detroit Tigers: Jim Adduci could stay on roster all season

Detroit Tigers outfielder Jim Adduci has gotten off to an excellent start in his first 12 games. It is obviously still extremely early, but Adduci could stick with the Tigers for the rest of the season.

Detroit Tigers fans have seen the team find plenty of hidden gems on the free agent market.

J.D. Martinez stands out as the most obvious of the bunch. The slugging outfielder has registered a wRC+ of at least 137 in each of his three seasons in the Motor City.

What’s more, he’s also logged ISO stats that have eclipsed the .225 mark on three different occasions in a Detroit uniform.

In terms of free agent finds, there’s also Al Alburquerque, he of a 3.41 FIP and 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings in parts of five seasons for the Tigers.

In addition to Alburquerque, current bullpen arm Blaine Hardy has also proven to be a quality find.

The southpaw has pitched to a 2.94 ERA and a 3.29 FIP, often providing quality innings for a team in dire need of them.

The next name on the list could very well be Jim Adduci.

It is obviously extremely early, but the outfielder is performing for Detroit.

In 12 games, the 32-year-old is hitting .317 with a .391 on-base percentage, a .512 slugging percentage and a .903 OPS.

He’s also chipped in with eight runs scored, seven RBI, five walks, four doubles and two triples.

Adduci has also turned in a 151 wRC+, a .195 ISO and a .387 wOBA, providing the team with a fill-in for Martinez in the process.

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The outfielder’s ability to put the ball in play has certainly helped. So far in 2017, he’s posted a swinging strike percentage of 8.1. That’s currently good for the fourth-best percentage on the team.

Adduci also has the sixth-highest walk percentage on Detroit’s roster. if he can continue to draw walks, it will go a long way towards helping him stick on the team.

Lineup Depth

The left-handed hitter has also added plenty of length to an already-deep lineup.

Detroit has fielded lineups with the likes of Jose Iglesias, James McCann and Andrew Romine at the bottom of the order.

While all three can contribute on offense, their main value comes defensively. Now, with Adduci’s strong play—not to mention Alex Avila’s excellent start to 2017—the team’s lineup looks even more formidable.

Looking Ahead in 2017

Even with J.D. Martinez nearing a return from the disabled list, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Adduci stick around with the Detroit Tigers for the rest of the season.

He’s been a definite offensive upgrade over both Mikie Mahtook and JaCoby Jones, and gives the team a much-improved bench.

With one of Adduci or Tyler Collins on the bench, the Tigers will have a reliable pinch-hitting option to turn to late in games should the need arise.

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It certainly doesn’t hurt that Adduci can give Miguel Cabrera the occasional day off at first base either.