Detroit Tigers Dreaming Big: Top 10 Wish List for 2017

Aug 30, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) celebrates after he hits a double in the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) celebrates after he hits a double in the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 5, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann (34) hits an RBI single in the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 5, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann (34) hits an RBI single in the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

#10. James McCann Hits with Power and Consistency

James McCann is one of the best defensive catchers in the game, despite the fact that people constantly complain about his framing ability. His weakness is his hitting. My first wish for the Tigers in 2017 is that McCann gets more power and more consistency. I’d love to see him hit 20 home runs, along the lines of Salvador Perez. To continue to the wishing, I’d also like to give him the consistency of Jonathan Lucroy who finished 2016 with a .292/.355/.500 and an OPS of .855.

The home-run increase is not out of the question. McCann hit 7 home runs in 2015 and 12 in 2016, with fewer at bats in 2016. Ok…so here’s my silly math: McCann had a 70% increase in home runs from 2015 to 2016. If he has a similar percentage increase, he could reasonably hit at least 20 home runs in 2017.

The consistency is another story. But…it’s a wish list.

If McCann could hit like this and continue to play defense, then the Tigers could simply keep their current “back-up” catcher John Hicks.