Detroit Tigers: Three More Breakout Candidates for the 2017 Season

James McCann
Age: 26
Position: Catcher

Ok, so James McCann technically isn’t a traditional breakout candidate after turning in a superb defensive campaign in 2016.

The backstop finished as a finalist for the Gold Glove at his position in the American League. What’s more, McCann established himself as one of Detroit’s key defensive players.

McCann finished second behind Ian Kinsler in DRS with nine, while finishing with an rSB of seven.

In all likelihood, the catcher will continue to make an impact on defense in his career. However, the 26-year-old could be in for somewhat of a breakout season at the plate.

The 2016 season saw McCann hit .221 with a .272 on-base percentage and a 66 wRC+.

Those numbers, which checked in significantly lower than his 2015 output, were in part due to a .283 BABIP.

Despite the low BABIP number, McCann still posted career bests in ISO, home runs, walk percentage and RBI.

McCann’s BABIP is likely to rise next season. Don’t be surprised if it finishes somewhere between the league average of .300 and the catcher’s 2015 BABIP stat, .325.

With that rise in BABIP will likely come with an increase in offensive production across the board.