A Look At The Detroit Tigers’ Immediate Minor League Depth

February 19, 2013; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers outfuelder Daniel Fields (74) poses for a picture during photo day at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Outfield

Depth Level: Poor

40-man options: Daniel Fields (AA), Steven Moya (A+)

With five outfielders on the major league roster (plus Lombardozzi who’s also played some outfield), the Tigers aren’t likely to need to dip too far into their system for outfield help this season. And that’s probably good, because they don’t have really have anything in the way of big league caliber depth.

Detroit added Moya to the 40-man this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, but the 22-year old is nowhere near ready for the big leagues right now. It might be even that he repeats the Advanced-A level after an injury-plagued season in 2013.

Daniel Fields rebounded nicely in 2014 to post a .284/.356/.435 batting line (with 24 stolen bases) in AA after languishing for a couple of years in Lakeland. He could factor into 2014 if the Tigers are particularly hurting for a center fielder, but it’s not like he’s busting down the door as a big league-ready player. AAA will be challenging enough for him. It’s hard to see Fields even reaching replacement level production in 2014, but other than him, it’s tough to even envision anyone else as an option at the moment.