Detroit Tigers: Predicting Team’s Opening Day Bench

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Feb 24, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; umpire Joe West (22) and Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila (31) share a laugh at home plate during the third inning of a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers fans will likely see a similar lineup in 2017 as they did last season. Detroit wasn’t too active in the offseason, but return a strong nucleus. Here’s a prediction as to what the bench will look like.

Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus utilized a number of bench pieces last season as the team just missed out on a playoff berth.

As per usual, Andrew Romine led the way, notching a 0.6 WAR and a 71 wRC+ in 109 games. The utility ace saw action across the diamond for Detroit.

Romine appeared at every position except for catcher, even logging 0.2 innings of work on the mound.

Additionally, Jarrod Saltalamacchia stepped in and provided some pop. The backup catcher posted a .175 ISO and 12 home runs in 92 games during his lone season in Detroit.

Elsewhere, Tyler Collins (56 games) and Anthony Gose (30 games) saw action in center field when Cameron Maybin missed time due to injury.

The Tigers initially began the season with Mike Aviles as another utility option, but the former Royals player struggled, with a -1.4 WAR, a .258 on-base percentage and a wRC+ of 41.

Aviles was latter shipped to Atlanta along with catching prospect Kade Scivicque for fellow utility player Erick Aybar.

What’s more, the likes of JaCoby Jones and Dixon Machado both had brief stints with the Tigers down the stretch. The prospects appeared in in 13 and eight games respectively.

Feb 27, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki (right) is caught sliding into second base by Detroit Tigers shortstop Dixon Machado (left) during the first inning of a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

2017 Outlook

Heading into 2017, the Detroit Tigers bench will look significantly.

Romine is an obvious lock to make the team given his defensive versatility.

It certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s been hitting the cover off the ball, with a .347 batting average, a .592 slugging percentage and a .945 OPS in 49 Grapefruit League at-bats.

The super-sub has also added eight RBI, four doubles, two home runs, two stolen bases and a triple for the Tigers.

Saltalamacchia departed in free agency. The Tigers replaced him with old friend Alex Avila, who should bring a steady blend of walks and pop to the bench unit.

Aybar also moved on as a free agent. As of now, the most likely player to step in for the former Angel is Machado, who is hitting .276 this spring with a .617 OPS.

What is perhaps most encouraging about the young infielder is that he’s now seeing time at both third base and second base in addition to shortstop.

A potential long-term replacement for Jose Iglesias, Machado could potentially see more playing time this season as a key bench cog.

The last bench spot is perhaps the trickiest to predict.

It will likely come from the outfield, where the starting center field job is still up for grabs.

Should JaCoby Jones or Mikie Mahtook win the gig, expect Tyler Collins to make the bench as a reserve outfielder.

The 26-year-old is out of options, and the Tigers could potentially lose him to another team if he doesn’t make the Opening Day unit.

However, if Collins wins the center field competition, Mahtook seems the likely candidate to be on the team.

The former first-round pick has plenty of upside at the plate and is a quality defender.

In this hypothetical scenario, Detroit would be able to give Jones more consistent playing time at Triple-A Toledo.

Mar 7, 2016; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Tyler Collins (18) connects for a base hit during a spring training game against the New York Mets at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers Final Bench Prediction:

Alex Avila, Andrew Romine, Dixon Machado and Tyler Collins.

The Reasoning:

At this point, Avila and Romine are the definition of sure things in terms of players making Detroit’s Opening Day roster.

Elsewhere, Machado’s defense and long-term upside make him a necessary addition to Brad Ausmus’ bench.

In this hypothetical scenario, Collins would join Avila, Romine and Machado on the bench.

The out-of-options outfielder is only hitting .206 with a .546 OPS in 34 Spring Training at-bats spread over 14 games.

He’s currently being outplayed by one of Detroit’s most exciting prospects in JaCoby Jones.

Jones has looked extremely promising this spring, flashing the leather on defense and showing well at the plate.

In 30 spring at-bats, the outfielder has only struck out six times while hitting .333 with a .394 on-base percentage.

The prospect has also chipped in with six runs scored, three stolen bases, three RBI, two home runs and a double. He’s also added a .567 slugging percentage and a .961 OPS.

Heading into the regular season, Jones could serve as a spark-plug for the Tigers in the same way that Maybin did.

Next: Where You Can Catch the Tigers on TV This Week

Jones may not hit near the top of the order like his former teammate, but the outfielder’s blend of speed and power will help add even more length to Detroit’s lineup.

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Detroit Tigers fans will likely see a similar lineup in 2017 as they did last season. Detroit wasn’t too active in the offseason, but return a strong nucleus. Here’s a prediction as to what the bench will look like.

2017 Outlook

Detroit Tigers Final Bench Prediction:

Alex Avila, Andrew Romine, Dixon Machado and Tyler Collins.

The Reasoning:

Schedule