5 Prospects That Will Make an Impact for 2015 Detroit Tigers

Feb 28, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Daniel Fields (29) poses during Photo day at Joker Merchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

#2 Daniel Fields

The seemingly lost prospect, Daniel Fields has struggled with injuries and consistency since being drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the sixth round of the 2009 draft.

A local boy (University of Detroit Jesuit High School and son of Tigers’ minor league hitting instructor Bruce Fields), Fields’ power had never materialized and he has never put together an average higher than .284. Nonetheless it is the glove that intrigues the organization and has kept the Tigers patient while he attempt to establish himself.

Last season many hoped it would be Fields’ breakout season, but again a broken hand hampered him in a season spent largely in Toledo. He finished with a .219 average with 5 homers and 26 RBIs and did not warrant a September call-up.

Though the fifth outfielder job figures to be Tyler Collins‘ job to lose, Fields is giving Brad Ausmus and company something to chew on, belting two homers and hitting at a near .500 clip through the first two weeks of Grapefruit League play.

Still, as we mentioned with Moya, it would serve Fields well to spend yet another season in the minors. His first season in AAA was marred by injury so it will be good to see how he will fare while healthy and after a good spring. Again like Moya, if one of the outfielders is dinged up, and he is still playing relatively well, he will receive a call-up.

That (eventual) promotion will allow the 24-year old to make his major league debut.