Detroit Tigers: Projecting 2017 Opening Day Lineup

Shortstop: Jose Iglesias
Age: 27
2016 Stat of Note: 9.7 strikeout percentage

One of two Tigers starters, the other being Cameron Maybin, not to reach double-digit home runs last season, Iglesias likely isn’t going to start hitting pitches out of the park on a consistent basis.

However, he does plenty of other things at the plate to provide value.

The shortstop was the toughest batter to strikeout in the American League last season with a 9.7 punch out percentage.

Iglesias routinely makes pitchers work with lengthy at-bats, fouling off pitch after pitch.

With Maybin now in Anaheim, there’s potential for Iglesias to move up the order and hit in some combination with Kinsler atop Detroit’s lineup.

The former Red Sox’s .306 on-bae percentage and wRC+ of 73 might not be anything to write home about, but Iglesias’ ability to make pitchers work early in games could help the Tigers start eating away at bullpens sooner in games.

For his career, Iglesias is a .284 hitter when batting second in games.

Like many of his teammates, the shortstop has a history of success versus the White Sox.

Iglesias has more hits, RBI and doubles against Chicago then against any other franchise.