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

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila will have a number of decisions to make when rosters expand in September. Detroit has a few options in terms of who to call up. Here are some possibilities.

Detroit Tigers fans have so far seen a team that looks to be turning things around. It has only been two games, but the offense seems to be coming together after a rough stretch.

Considering Detroit’s pitching staff has been excellent in the second half (per FanGraphs, they have the third-lowest ERA in baseball in the second half), the fact that the offense is thriving is an excellent sign.

Detroit could very well need extra depth to support the improving offense with the stretch run coming up. Luckily the rosters will expand come September.

The Tigers could very well stick to players already on the 40-man roster, as they wouldn’t require a roster move. However, there are some other players that may warrant a call up.

These players are all likely depth options. It would be a surprise to see any immediately vault into a starting position. However, depth is always good to have, and the Detroit Tigers have some quality options to recall from the minor league levels.

Here’s a look at some options for Al Avila, Brad Ausmus and company.

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.