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

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.

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.