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Detroit Tigers: Projecting 2017 Opening Day Lineup

By Ben Rosener

Apr 8, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) is introduced before the game on Opening Day against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) is introduced before the game on Opening Day against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 10, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos (9) throws a ball to first during the seventh inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Third Base: Nick Castellanos
Age: 24
2016 Stat of Note: 119 wRC+

Despite not playing a full season’s worth of contests, Nick Castellanos improved significantly at the plate in 2016.

He set new career highs in batting average (.285), on-base percentage (.331), slugging percentage (.496), OPS (.827), home runs (18), and ISO (.212).

Castellanos did all this while seeing action in just 110 games for the Detroit Tigers.

Additionally, for the first time in his career, the former first-round pick logged a wRC+ north of 100, checking in with a 119 number in the category.

Overall, Castellanos’ WAR jumped from -0.1 in 2015 to 1.9 in 2016.

What’s more, the 24-year-old steadily improved in the field. Since entering the Majors, he’s lowered his UZR in each season.

After putting up a -18.4 number in the category in 2014, Castellanos posted a -6.8 UZR last season.

That number won’t win him a Gold Glove, but the continued improvement is encouraging moving forward.

Should Castellanos continue to make strides in the field, the sky is the limit for the 24-year-old.

Look for the third baseman to put together a full breakout season in 2017 as he hits behind the likes of Ian Kinsler, Miguel Cabrera, J.D. Martinez, Victor Martinez and Justin Upton.

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