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Detroit Tigers: Position Player Prospects’ Stats So Far in Spring Training

By Ben Rosener |
Feb 28, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers player Dominic Ficociello (72) high fives Detroit Tigers third base coach Dave Clark (25) as he rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run in the seventh inning of a baseball game during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers player Dominic Ficociello (72) high fives Detroit Tigers third base coach Dave Clark (25) as he rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run in the seventh inning of a baseball game during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 2, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a double to left center field during the seventh inning of a MLB spring training baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a double to left center field during the seventh inning of a MLB spring training baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers fans will likely see a familiar Opening Day roster. The Tigers return much of the team’s veteran core. However, some prospects could contribute. Here are the position player prospects.

Detroit Tigers fans have seen plenty of young players develop into integral parts of the team in the past few seasons.

While many of these players have been pitchers—such as Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd, Bruce Rondon, Kyle Ryan and Blaine Hardy—there have been position players as well.

Nick Castellanos stands out as perhaps the most prominent of the bunch after a breakout 2016 campaign that saw him set a number of career highs despite playing in only 110 games.

The third baseman notched new bests in home runs (18), runs scored (54), ISO (.212), batting average (.285), on-base percentage (.331), slugging percentage (.496), wOBA (.350), wRC+ (119) and WAR (1.9).

Still just 25-years-old, Castellanos will only continue to develop as a middle-of-the-order presence.

In addition to the third baseman, James McCann has also established himself as a key player in Detroit.

The backstop rated as one of baseball’s best defensive catchers in 2016.

Finishing as a finalist for the Gold Glove at his position in the American League, McCann paced all catchers on the Junior Circuit with a rSB of 7. He also threw out 45% of would-be base thieves.

The Next Wave

While the Detroit Tigers will still feature a veteran-laden team that features the likes of Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, J.D. Martinez and Victor Martinez, there are some position player prospects who could make an impact this season.

Prospects such as Christin Stewart, Jose Azocar and Arvicent Perez are likely anywhere from a year to a few years away from contributing.

However, Detroit does have some promising young talents in Spring Training. Here’s a look at how they’ve fared so far.

Mar 9, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Dominic Ficociello (72) tags out New York Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (13) in a run down between first and second base during a spring training game at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Dominic Ficociello (72) tags out New York Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (13) in a run down between first and second base during a spring training game at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Dominic Ficociello
Age: 24
Position: Utility Player
Hits: Switch

So far in Grapefruit League play, Dominc Ficociello has been arguably Detroit’s best hitter. The utility player, who can play first base, second base, third base and the outfield, is hitting .350 for the Tigers.

What’s more, the 24-year-old also owns a .409 on-base percentage, an .850 slugging percentage and a 1.259 OPS.

All told, Ficociello leads the team in RBI (eight), runs scored (six) and home runs (three).

If he continues to produce, he could make his Major League debut this season.

Mike Gerber
Age: 24
Position: Outfield
Hits: Left-Handed

A potential dark horse in the center field competition at the beginning of camp, Gerber has registered just one hit in 15 at-bats so far.

However, if he continues to stuff the stat sheet as he has in the minors, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him also make his Major League debut in 2017.

Jason Krizan
Age: 27
Position: Outfielder
Hits: Left-Handed

Another potential dark horse to potentially make a play for the center field gig, Krizan has hit .375 so far this spring, with two RBI, a pair of runs scored and a home run.

With so many players also vying for the job, Krizan could open the season in Triple-A Toledo, where he hit .300 with a .769 OPS in 32 games for the Mud Hens last season.

Aug 30, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman JaCoby Jones (40) at bat against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman JaCoby Jones (40) at bat against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

JaCoby Jones
Age: 24
Position: Center Fielder
Hits: Right-Handed

If JaCoby Jones can cut down on his strikeouts, he has a chance to be a dynamic player at the Major League level.

So far this spring, Jones has done just that, with only two punch outs in 16 at-bats.

A plus defender waiting to happen in center field, Jones also brings excellent speed and power to the game.

To go along with his lack of strikeouts, the former Pittsburgh Pirates farmhand has also added six hits, four runs scored, and an RBI.

Jones also obliterated a baseball in Thursday’s tie with the New York Mets, sending it well over the left field wall for his first home run of the spring.

Considering Mikie Mahtook (.095 batting average) and Tyler Collins (.176) aren’t exactly hitting the cover off the ball, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Jones win the starting center field job.

A.J. Simcox
Age: 22
Position: Shortstop
Hits: Right-Handed

A college teammate of Christin Stewart, Simcox is coming off his first full season with Advanced-A Lakeland.

In 127 games for the Flying Tigers, the shortstop hit .262 with a .643 OPS, 76 runs scored, 51 RBI and 29 extra-base hits.

While he likely won’t make his Major League debut this season, Simcox has gotten into four games for the Detroit Tigers this spring, registering a double and a run scored in five at-bats.

Grayson Greiner
Age: 24
Position: Catcher
Hits: Right-Handed

James McCann will likely be the starting catcher for the Tigers for the better part of the next decade. However, who his long-term backup is remains to be seen.

Greiner could be that player for the Tigers.

A 6’6” backstop, the 24-year-old made three minor league stops in 2016, making it all the way from Lakeland to Toledo.

Overall, he hit .293 with a .763 OPS, 42 RBI, 34 runs scored and 25 extra-base hits while throwing out 33% of base stealers.

In limited playing time in Grapefruit League action, Greiner has three hits—including a double—in six at-bats. He’s also collected two runs scored and an RBI for Detroit.

Next: Hypothetical Trade Time!

If Greiner continues to play well in the high minors, he’ll give John Hicks competition in terms of being the Tigers third-string catcher waiting in Toledo.

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