2 Tigers trending way downward at spring training, 1 who's unexpectedly surging

Spring training numbers don’t always tell the full story. The samples are tiny, the competition fluctuates, and players are often experimenting with mechanics or roles.

But sometimes, the early trends still tell you something about how roster battles are shaping up.

For the Detroit Tigers, two players who entered camp hoping to solidify their roles are trending in the wrong direction. Meanwhile, one versatile veteran is making a strong case that he deserves far more than just a bench role when Opening Day arrives.

Colt Keith, Wenceel Pérez struggle in Tigers camp while Matt Vierling surges

Through eight spring games, Colt Keith is hitting .263/.333/.316 in 19 at-bats. On paper, that line doesn’t look disastrous — five hits and two walks. But the underlying concern is the 10 strikeouts, which means Keith has struck out in over half of his at-bats so far this spring. The lack of impact contact is also noticeable: no home runs and just one extra-base hit.

If this feels familiar, that’s because it is. Keith has developed a reputation as a slow starter. Across his first two big-league seasons in March and April, he has hit just .166 with a .475 OPS in 187 plate appearances, with only four extra-base hits and one home run.

But Tigers fans know the other side of that story. When the calendar flips to May, Keith often flips the switch. In 166 career May plate appearances, he’s a .314 hitter with an .859 OPS and 18 extra-base hits.

Still, Keith’s slow starts are becoming a pattern — and this spring carries an added complication: his role is changing again. After playing primarily second base during his 2024 rookie season, the Tigers’ signing of Gleyber Torres reshuffled the infield. A potential move to first base in 2025 never fully materialized after Spencer Torkelson’s breakout season, pushing Keith into more of a utility role before he eventually saw increased time at third base late in the year.

This spring, Keith is focusing almost exclusively on third base and first base, with second base essentially becoming an emergency option. Learning new defensive responsibilities while trying to fix early offensive struggles is not exactly the ideal spring formula.

If Keith’s struggles feel temporary, Wenceel Pérez’s situation feels more dangerous. Pérez entered camp with one unique advantage as the only switch-hitter on the Tigers’ roster, but that alone might not be enough to secure a roster spot.

Through early spring action, Perez is hitting just .136/.240/.136, with three hits in 22 at-bats and no extra-base hits. The lack of offensive production becomes more concerning when you consider the crowded outfield picture. The Tigers already have a deep group of options including Parker Meadows, Matt Vierling, Jahmai Jones and Javier Báez potentially shifting into an outfield utility role.

And looming over the entire competition is one name Tigers fans know very well: Kevin McGonigle. If the organization’s elite prospect breaks camp with the club, Detroit may need to shuffle multiple roster spots — potentially pushing Báez into more of a roaming role and tightening the squeeze on fringe players. In that scenario, Perez increasingly looks like the odd man out.

While others are struggling to establish their roles, Matt Vierling is doing the exact opposite. The versatile Tigers utility player is hitting .375/.423/.667 with nine hits in 24 at-bats, striking out just twice.

It’s a welcome development after an injury-marred 2025 season limited his consistency. Healthy again, Vierling is reminding everyone why the Tigers value him so much: he can play almost everywhere. He has experience at all three outfield spots, third base, second base, and even first base in a pinch. That versatility gives manager A.J. Hinch endless lineup flexibility — something he has historically loved taking advantage of.

For Tigers fans who follow the roster battles closely — especially those watching prospects like McGonigle — the early spring storylines are starting to sharpen. Keith may just be repeating his usual slow-start cycle, Pérez may be running out of roster runway, and Vierling may be playing his way into a much larger role.

Spring training stats can lie, but spring training momentum can absolutely reshape a roster. And right now in Tigers camp, the arrows are pointing in very different directions.