Detroit Tigers: Four Spring Training Invitees Most Likely To Make Opening Day Roster

Mike Gerber

Age: 24
Position: Outfielder
Seasons of Major League Experience: 0

We interrupt the reliever portion of this article to bring you an outfielder with a shot at making the Detroit Tigers roster next season.

Mike Gerber, long one of the team’s more intriguing prospects, certainly has a chance in center field.

He’ll face competition from in-house candidates JaCoby Jones, Tyler Collins and Anthony Gose. Spring Training invitees Jason Krizan, Alex Presley and Juan Perez will also play a role in things, however Gerber could make the team.

Jones is still developing. Collins, who profiles more as a corner outfielder, struggled defensively (-11.4 UZR/150) in center last season.

There’s also Gose, who is coming off a 2016 that saw him hit just .203 with a .588 OPS in 90 games split between Toledo and Erie.

In other words, Gerber has a chance—especially if he can continue to produce as he has in the minors.

Since making his professional debut in 2014 with Connecticut, the outfielder has displayed a knack for stuffing the stat sheet.

In 2015 with West Michigan, Gerber collected 76 RBI, 74 runs scored, 31 doubles, 16 stolen bases, 13 home runs and 10 triples. He also hit .292 with a .822 OPS that season.

The 2016 campaign saw the outfielder move to both Lakeland and Erie. In 132 games split between the two, he batted .276 with a .811 OPS.

Gerber also chipped in with 80 RBI, 69 runs scored, 30 doubles, 18 home runs, eight stolen bases and six triples.

What’s more, the 24-year-old also has experience in center field.

If the top prospect can continue to contribute across the board against a higher level of competition, he could crack Detroit’s Major League roster.