Detroit Tigers: Players Who Could Be Called Up When Rosters Expand

Relievers

Blaine Hardy

After being a major contributor to the Detroit bullpen over the last two seasons, Blaine Hardy has split time between the Tigers and Triple-A this season.

Despite a 4.96 ERA in 16.1 innings for Detroit this season, Hardy has been excellent with Toledo. During his time with the Mud Hens, the Washington native owns a stellar 1.53 ERA in 29.1 innings pitched. He’s also walked just four batters—two of which were intentional—during the same span.

What’s more Hardy’s ERA is largely inflated due to one poor outing against Kansas City where he gave up five runs in just one inning. Since then, he went on to throw three scoreless innings against the Mariners, striking out five and rack up 10 swinging strikes.

Joe Jimenez

Speaking of successful relievers, Joe Jimenez is an obvious choice to help the Tigers—and get acclimated to the Majors in the process.

Jimenez is the long-term successor for Francisco Rodriguez as Detroit’s closer, and has pitched like it in the minor this season. In stints at Lakeland, Erie and Toledo, the reliever has posted a sparkling 1.86 ERA and 27 saves in 48.1 innings.

What’s more, he’s racked up some fantastic strikeout numbers with 72 punch outs so far in 2016. That amounts to 13.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

Buck Farmer

The 25-year-old has been up with the Tigers a number of times this season and has generally pitched well. In 16 innings, the pitcher owns a 3.94 ERA. The fact that he’s started with Toledo makes him even more of a viable option because he can pitch multiple innings if needed.

Position Players

Dixon Machado

A slick-fielding shortstop, Machado has seen action with the Tigers in parts of the last two seasons. A .263 hitter at the Triple-A level, he provides a similar skillset to Jose Iglesias.

With Mike Aviles gone, Machado gives Detroit more depth up the middle. The shortstop hit .111 with a walk and a run in a recent four-game stint with the team.

Steven Moya

Another player who’s been with the Tigers a number of times this season, Moya could make a serious impact off the bench. Detroit’s bench situation isn’t as dire as it once was, with Tyler Collins and Erick Aybar joining Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Andrew Romine as key reserves. However, Moya could provide useful in pinch-hitting situations.

He collected 11 extra-base hits (five home runs, four doubles and two triples) in just 89 at-bats with the Tigers in 2016. Moya also has a tendency to strike out a good deal, but he has as much raw power as any player in the Majors.

John Hicks

A former fourth-round pick of the Mariners, Hicks has excelled since joining the Detroit organization.

The catcher hit a blistering .388 in 14 games with Double-A Erie before being promoted to Toledo. With the Mud Hens, the backstop is hitting .298 with 39 RBI, 36 runs scored, 19 doubles, eight home runs and three stolen bases.

Every team needs a third catcher down the stretch, and Hicks is already on the 40-man roster, so he’s a natural fit.

Anthony Gose

He’s struggled mightily this season, resulting in an extended stay in the minor leagues. However, the center fielder is hitting .302 in his last 10 games with Double-A Erie.

It’s a small sample size, but considering Gose’s .287 on-base percentage with the Tigers, the production can only be viewed as a positive. The outfielder could bring value purely as a pinch runner.

Swingmen

The Detroit Tigers starting pitching has been excellent as of late. While Justin Verlander is excelling and Anibal Sanchez is looking like his old self, the most encouraging sign has been the development of the team’s young starters. Michael Fulmer, Matt Boyd and Daniel Norris have shown well in 2016, and look to be part of the Detroit rotation for the foreseeable future.

However, all three are still young. Inning and pitch counts could come into play. That being said, having a reliable swingman would hurt.

Detroit hasn’t really had one at all this season, but the team could turn to three players on the 40-man roster to fill the role.

Donn Roach

First and foremost is recent acquisition Donn Roach. Claimed off waivers from Seattle, the former Mariner is pitching brilliantly so far with Toledo.

The right-hander has allowed just two runs and two walks in 18 innings while striking out 11. Over those 18 innings, which have accounted for three starts, Roach also owns a 1.00 ERA and a 0.722 WHIP.

Like Hicks, he’s already on the 40-man roster and is a solid fit for the Tigers.

Dustin Molleken and Warwick Saupold

In addition to Roach, the Tigers boast a pair of minor league veterans who could also fill in as a swingman.

So far in 53.2 innings pitched for Toledo, the versatile Molleken sports a 3.86 ERA. Of his 36 appearances, he’s started five games and finished seven while notching a save. Like Farmer, Molleken’s ability to throw multiple frames is an added bonus.

Molleken made his Major League debut for the Tigers this season and notched a 3.03 FIP in 8.1 innings pitched.

Warwick Saupold also made his Major League debut in 2016 with Detroit. Also similar to Molleken, he showed he can get outs at the highest level. In 9.2 innings pitched, the native of Australia recorded a 2.32 FIP and a 3.29 SIERA.

Next: J.D. May Be Having A Better Season Than Bryce Harper And Mookie Betts

With Toledo, the 26-year-old notched a 2.74 ERA in 62.1 innings pitched. Additionally, he’s started 10 games for Lloyd McClendon’s club.