Detroit Tigers Offense Will Only Get Better as Season Progresses

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Apr 14, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Tyler Collins (18) waits at home for catcher Alex Avila (31) after Avila’s home run during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers fans have seen the team begin 2017 in encouraging fashion. Entering Monday, Detroit sat alone atop the American League Central. The team’s offense should only continue to get better.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila kept the team together in the offseason.

During a winter when trade rumors nearly ran rampant, the Tigers only dealt Cameron Maybin from the 2016 team.

That unit finished fifth in Major League Baseball in on-base percentage, 11^th in runs scored and fourth in wRC+.

With a lineup still headlined by the likes of Ian Kinsler, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, Detroit is still fourth in wRC+. What’s more, they also rank in the top 15 in on-base percentage (10^th) and runs scored (15^th).

Kinsler, per usual, is filling up the stat sheet.

He’s collected seven runs scored, five RBI, two home runs and a double in 11 games.

What’s more, his 10 walks have helped him turn in a sparkling .404 on-base percentage.

However, outside of Kinsler and Justin Upton (.242 ISO, seven runs scored, five RBI and two home runs in 11 games), Detroit’s offense hasn’t been carried by the usual crowd of sluggers.

All Hands on Deck

Instead, the team has seen other contributors step up.

James McCann has hit some timely home runs, while Tyler Collins (135 wRC+, .827 OPS) has provided some solid production in right field.

Additionally, Alex Avila is making the most of his limited playing time, with seven hits, five RBI, four walks, two home runs and a pair of doubles in 14 plate appearances.

There’s also JaCoby Jones, one of Maybin’s replacements, who currently owns a .795 OPS and 123 wRC+ while showing greatly-improved plate discipline.

Another one of Maybin’s successors, Andrew Romine, has already collected four extra-base hits.

At one point, he had more RBI than Joey Votto, more extra-base this than Kris Bryant and more home runs than Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Mookie Betts.

Miguel Cabrera

With a team wRC+ of 114 that is only bested by the New York Yankees in the American League, Detroit’s offense is in a good place.

However, as the season progresses, it will get better.

Miguel Cabrera, who began the season with three this in his first 33 plate appearances, won’t be slumping forever.

The future Hall of Famer has gone six-for-13 in his last four games, picking up six RBI, four runs scored, three walks, two home runs and a double in the process.

If Cabrera has put his slump behind him, Detroit’s offense will immediately improve.

Nick Castellanos

Elsewhere, Nick Castellanos seems destined to see an uptick in production.

The third baseman is currently batting just .220 with a .264 on-base percentage and two home runs in 12 games.

However, Castellanos has consistently demolished incoming pitches in 2017. As a result, he currently ranks third in the Majors in hard contact percentage, with a 59.5 number in the category.

What’s more, the 25-year-old has also been victimized by a .257 BABIP. The more he continues to obliterate baseballs, the more the results will start to come for the former first-round draft pick.

Apr 7, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) hits an RBI single in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

V-Mart

This is all without mentioning Victor Martinez, who’s numbers at the plate have been anemic so far.

In 12 games, the veteran slugger is batting just .195 with a .277 on-base percentage, a 37 wRC+ and a -0.3 WAR.

Martinez hasn’t been able to replicate his stellar 2014 season for the Tigers, but he certainly isn’t regressing to these low standards.

Like Castellanos, the 38-year-old has hit the ball hard (53.1 hard contact percentage) and is sporting a low BABIP at .250.

Expect the veteran designated hitter to bounce back at some point in the near future.

The Return of J.D. Martinez

While Tyler Collins has given the team some quality at-bats in right field, he’ll cede his starting spot to J.D. Martinez when the slugger returns from the disabled list.

The outfielder will add some much-needed pop to the outfield.

Collins’ production has been offset by the struggles of Mikie Mahtook. The former Tampa Bay player owns a wRC+ of 26 and a .435 OPS in 17 plate appearances.

Overall, Detroit Right fielders rank 17^th in the Major Leagues on-base percentage, 18^th in wRC+, 21^st in WAR and 27^th in ISO.

Martinez turned in a .373 on-base percentage, a 142 wRC+, a 1.8 WAR and a .228 ISO in 120 games last season.

In Conclusion

With Castellanos, Victor Martinez and Cabrera rebounding—as well as J.D. Martinez eventually returning to the lineup, the Detroit Tigers will field one of baseball’s most potent offenses.

Next: Tigers Reshuffle Bullpen

If players like Jones, McCann, Avila and Collins continue to provide added production offensively, the sky is the limit for this team.

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