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Detroit Tigers: Predicting 2020 Tigers Roster

By Ben Rosener

Aug 31, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) and center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) and right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) run to swarm Tyler Collins (not pictured) after his sacrifice fly to score Jones defeats the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Detroit won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) and center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) and right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) run to swarm Tyler Collins (not pictured) after his sacrifice fly to score Jones defeats the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Detroit won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers
Jul 7, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann (34) makes hand gestures to his teammates in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /

Catcher

Starter: James McCann

Controllable through 2021 and just 26-years-old, James McCann isn’t going anywhere. The backstop wrapped up his second year in the Majors as a full-time starter by throwing out 45% of would-be base stealers.

McCann is still developing from an offensive standpoint, but there is no denying the impact he has on the game defensively. The catcher’s batting average dropped from .264 to 221 from his rookie year to his sophomore campaign, but he made strides elsewhere.

The 26-year-old upped his ISO from .122 to .137, while a .283 BABIP didn’t stop him from registering career highs in home runs, RBI and walks.

Should McCann continue his offensive improvement, he’ll be catching games in the Motor City for the better part for the better part of the next decade.

Key Reserve: John Hicks

Detroit may have found a steal in Hicks. The former fourth-round pick claimed off waivers from the Twins in late April. He didn’t waste any time producing. Hicks batted .310 with a .358 on-bae percentage in 93 minor league games last year.

He registered a double and a run scored in two plate appearances for the Tigers this year. At just 27, he could be a long-term solution for Detroit.

Another name to watch is Grayson Greiner, a defensive catcher who hit .312 while reaching Triple-A last season. In addition to Greiner, Arvicent Perez is another young catcher to keep an eye on. Perez hit .303 in 74 games for West Michigan last year.

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