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Detroit Tigers: Center Field Candidates Stats in Grapefruit League Play So Far

By Ben Rosener

Feb 24, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Members past and present of the Detroit Tigers stand on the baseline between first and third base to pay tribute to the life of Tigers owner Mike Ilitch before the start of a spring training baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Joker Marchant Stadium. Ilitch passed away earlier this week. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Members past and present of the Detroit Tigers stand on the baseline between first and third base to pay tribute to the life of Tigers owner Mike Ilitch before the start of a spring training baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Joker Marchant Stadium. Ilitch passed away earlier this week. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers
Feb 24, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Mikie Mahtook (15) signs autographs before during a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Mikie Mahtook
Age: 27
Hits: Right-Handed

A potential steal from Tampa Bay, Mahtook is a solid defender who also brings speed and pop to the game.

Per Spotrac, the outfielder won’t hit free agency until 2021 and won’t be eligible for arbitration for two more seasons.

The former Rays player has so far logged 30 at-bats for Detroit this spring over the course of 13 games. During that span, he’s collected three hits, two walks and a run scored.

Despite the low number of hits, Mahtook is currently tied with Andrew Romine for the most steals by a Tigers player in Spring Training with two.

Tyler Collins
Age: 26
Hits: Left-Handed

A corner outfielder by trade, Collins saw his first significant action in center field last season for Detroit. He should improve defensively heading into 2017 as he gets more playing time and reps.

At the plate so far in Grapefruit League play, Collins has appeared in 10 games.

Over that span he’s racked up 23 at-bats, while also contributing five hits, four RBI, a home run, a double and a run scored.

Collins would bring some added power to a center field position. Last season, Maybin and Jose Iglesias were the only Tigers starters not to collect at least 10 home runs and a .130 ISO last season.

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