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Detroit Tigers: Predicting Team’s Opening Day Bench

By Ben Rosener

Mar 20, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Andrew Romine (17) hits a ground rule double to right during the second inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the New York Mets at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Andrew Romine (17) hits a ground rule double to right during the second inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the New York Mets at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers
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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