Detroit Tigers 2016 Review: Cameron Maybin
By Ben Rosener
![May 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Cameron Maybin (4) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports May 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Cameron Maybin (4) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fmotorcitybengals-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F05-2Fcameron-maybin-mlb-minnesota-twins-detroit-tigers-1-850x560-c4eb0d4c7484e08b67e5f2b5761e86a8.jpg)
Stats of Note
Serving as a spark plug at the top of Detroit’s lineup, Maybin showed extremely well compared to his fellow center fielders where on-base related stats were concerned.
Among center fielders with at least 350 at-bats, Maybin finished third in on-base percentage behind only Mike Trout and Fowler.
The Tigers starter also ranked seventh in wRC+ and eighth in wOBA. The likes of Desmond, Marcell Ozuna and Andrew McCutchen ranked behind Maybin in both categories.
A Closer Look at Maybin’s On-Base Percentage Numbers
Not only did Maybin post a high on-base percentage in 2016, he wasn’t partial to one type of pitcher.
The veteran turned in a .384 on-base percentage against left-handed batters. His on-base percentage against right-handers was slightly lower, but not by much. Maybin’s on-base percentage against right-handed pitching sat at .383.
In-Game Batting Averages
One of the main reasons Maybin was so effective at being a spark plug for the Tigers was that he got on base early and often against opposing starters. The center fielder batted .380 with a .443 on-base percentage when facing an opposing starter for the first time in the game.
Those numbers regressed slightly (.346 batting average, .400 on-base percentage) when Maybin matched up with the starter for a second time. However, they still graded out extremely positively.