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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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Mar 12, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Adam Wilk (85) stretches to get out Detroit Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) at first base during the third inning of an MLB spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

JaCoby Jones
Age: 24
Hits: Right-Handed

With Mahtook and Collins not exactly destroying baseballs at the plate, the door could conceivably be open for JaCoby Jones to win the job.

The top prospect is a plus defender waiting to happen given his excellent athleticism.

What’s more, he’s been solid at the plate so far, hitting .304 with an .812 OPS in 23 spring at-bats.

Jones has also added four runs scored, a home run, a double and an RBI. Perhaps most encouragingly, the LSU product has struck out just four times.

Anthony Gose
Age: 26
Hits: Left-Handed

Rounding out the list is Anthony Gose, who has started to improve with the bat as of late.

After registering just one hit in his first three games, the outfielder batted .278 over the past two weeks.

While he’s continued to struggle with strikeouts (nine in 25 spring at-bats), Gose’ recent hitting is a definite positive.

The former Blue Jays player has also added three RBI, two runs scored and a pair of doubles for Brad Ausmus and company in Spring Training.

Next: If Need Be These Pitchers Could Step in for K-Rod

Similar to the other players on this list, Gose would bring some much-needed speed to the Detroit Tigers batting order if he makes the Opening Day roster.

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