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Detroit Tigers Rank Highly in MCB’s First Power Rankings of 2017

By Ben Rosener

Mar 16, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) reacts after hitting a home run with starting pitcher Daniel Norris (right) against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) reacts after hitting a home run with starting pitcher Daniel Norris (right) against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 21, 2017; Disney, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (left) and shortstop Dansby Swanson (center) and right fielder Matt Kemp (right) wait for their turn to bat during media day for the Atlanta Braves during MLB spring training at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2017; Disney, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (left) and shortstop Dansby Swanson (center) and right fielder Matt Kemp (right) wait for their turn to bat during media day for the Atlanta Braves during MLB spring training at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

#23 Atlanta
2016 Run Differential: -130
Best Offseason Move: Acquiring Luiz Gohara and Alex Jackson
Worst Offseason Move: None

As it stands, Atlanta returns of last season’s team.

While the additions of Brandon Phillips, Jamie Garcia, Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey and Kurt Suzuki should help add to the number of games in the win column for the team, the real improvement will come elsewhere.

With full seasons from Dansby Swanson and Ender Inciarte, as well as the potential Major League debut of Ozzie Albies, Atlanta is in a position to start reaping the benefits of a long rebuild.

Swanson in particular should benefit from more at-bats in the Majors.

The former first-overall pick shined in his first stint at the game’s highest level last season.

In just 38 games, the shortstop hit .302 with a .334 wOBA, a .361 on-base percentage and a .442 slugging percentage.

Swanson also added a .140 ISO, a 1.1 BsR and a 107 wRC+, while chipping in with 20 runs scored, 17 RBI, three home runs and three stolen bases.

In total, the top prospect finished tied for the fifth-highest War among Atlanta position players with a 0.8 number despite playing in under 40 contests.

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