Detroit Tigers: Potential X-Factors for the 2017 Season

Detroit Tigers fans will see a similar team on Opening Day. While the likes of Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera will still be key, here are some other potential X-factors.

Detroit Tigers teams in years past have been led by some standout players.

From Ian Kinsler and Justin Verlander, to Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, Detroit certainly hasn’t been lacking impact performers.

After an offseason that saw just Cameron Maybin dealt, those same impact players will return.

Last season, Detroit just missed out on a return trip to the playoffs.

While last year’s core could very well propel the Tigers back into the postseason, the team will need other players to step up as well.

With so few roster spots up for grabs, there aren’t many candidates to choose from outside the roster.

However, there are plenty of players who either didn’t perform well last season, or didn’t get much playing time who could make an impact.

If the Tigers can get solid contributions from everyone on the roster, they have a chance to make some serious noise moving forward.

Here are three players who could become X-factors for the Detroit Tigers heading into the 2017 regular season.

Bruce Rondon
Position: Relief Pitcher
Age: 26
Throws: Right-Handed

After he made his 2016 debut, Bruce Rondon became one of the Detroit Tigers most effective relievers.

The hard-throwing right-hander became one of Brad Ausmus’ top setup men down the stretch.

All told, the reliever pitched to a 2.97 ERA in 36.1 innings of work.

With the likes of Justin Wilson, Shane Greene, Mark Lowe and Alex Wilson all struggling at various points, Rondon’s solid outings were certainly timely for the Tigers.

The 26-year-old wasn’t just effective in keeping runs off the board—his 2.95 SIERA was certainly something to write home about—Rondon was also Detroit’s best relief pitcher in terms of missing bats.

In his time with the Tigers in 2016, the flamethrower paced the Tigers with a swinging strike percentage of 15.8. The next closest to Rondon was Shane Greene with a 12.7 number.

Rondon also struck out 11.15 batters per nine innings, once again leading Detroit’s bullpen.

Considering the Tigers employ plenty of bullpen arms who don’t exactly rack up the punch outs, Rondon is even more valuable for Detroit.

A full season of the reliever serving as one of Francisco Rodriguez’ top setup men could do wonders for the Tigers playoff chances.

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

With Cameron Maybin now in the American League West following an offseason trade to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Detroit Tigers are in need of a new center fielder.

As of now, the candidates to replace Maybin include Tyler Collins, Mikie Mahtook, Anthony Gose and JaCoby Jones.

What’s more, Jones is looking more and more like a player capable of taking over the job on a full-time basis.

A potential plus defender due to his athleticism, Jones has been impressive at the plate so far this spring.

In 13 games in Grapefruit League play, the outfielder is batting .346 with a .393 on-base percentage, a .615 slugging percentage and a 1.008 OPS.

Jones has also chipped in with six runs scored, two home runs, two stolen bases, two RBI and a double.

What is perhaps most encouraging about the top prospect’s spring numbers is that he’s only struck out four times in 26 at-bats.

The fact that Jones is already starting to cut down on his strikeouts is promising considering he’s only 24.

If the former Pittsburgh Pirates farmhand can win the center field job, he could add an intriguing element to the Detroit Tigers lineup.

Jones brings plenty of speed and pop to the lineup, and it isn’t hard to imagine him producing 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases given a single season’s worth of at-bats.