Detroit Tigers success in 2017 fueled by under-the-radar acquisitions

Detroit Tigers players have the team in a good place. The team has been playing well as of late, and the run has been fueled by some under-the-radar acquisitions.

Detroit Tigers fans have seen the team’s usual mix of star players produce so far.

Michael Fulmer and Justin Verlander unsurprisingly lead all Detroit pitchers in WAR, while Miguel Cabrera is starting to heat up.

Elsewhere, Justin Upton is off to a strong start, with a 130 wRC+ and a .241 ISO—not to mention a team-leading eight home runs.

However, some of Detroit’s key contributors this season joined the organization in under-the-radar deals.

Sure, the big-money signings of Upton and Victor Martinez will steal all the headlines—so will the trades for established standouts like Ian Kinsler and Francisco Rodriguez—but the under-the-radar acquisitions remain as key players.

Most prominent among the group of players who joined Detroit in a low-key transaction is Alex Avila.

Alex Avila

After spending a season in Chicago with the White Sox, the backstop returned to Detroit this past offseason.

Buried in a catcher’s market that also included Matt Wieters, Wilson Ramos, Wellington Castillo and Jason Castro, Avila signed with the Tigers.

More than a quarter of the way through the season, Detroit is certainly happy with the move.

Avila currently paces all Tigers players with a 1.5 WAR. He’s spent time at both catcher and first, registering some blistering offensive numbers in the process.

In 84 plate appearances, the veteran is batting .382 with a .500 on-base percentage and a .706 slugging percentage. He’s also turned in a .501 wOBA, a 226 wRC+ and a .324 ISO.

Avila’s production, which also includes 18 RBI, 14 walks, 12 extra-base hits and 11 runs scored, has helped offset slow starts from Victor Martinez and Nicholas Castellanos.

Jim Adduci and John Hicks

Two more recent acquisitions have also helped the Tigers, albeit in a more reserve capacity.

Jim Adduci—who was stuck behind Anthony Gose, Tyler Collins, Andrew Romine, Mikie Mahtook and JaCoby Jones in the preseason outfield hierarchy—has been one of Detroit’s best reserve players this season.

Signed to a minor league deal in the offseason, Adduci helped fill in for the injured J.D. Martinez.

The former Ranger batted .318 with an .888 OPS, eight runs scored, seven RBI, six extra-base hits and five walks in 49 plate appearances before landing on the disabled list himself.

When he returns, he’ll give Detroit a potent bench bat, if not a potential solution in center field moving forward.

Meanwhile, John Hicks has also chipped in with some solid offensive numbers in limited playing time.

Hicks was claimed off waivers from Minnesota early last season.

In 27 plate appearances spread over seven games, Hicks racked up seven RBI, six runs scored, a trio of doubles and a home run.

Other Notables

It hasn’t just been recent acquisitions either.

J.D. Martinez was a fairly under-the-radar pickup when he joined the organization. He’s done nothing but produce since arriving in the Motor City.

The outfielder has been particularly impressive this season.

Martinez only made his 2017 debut on May 12, but that hasn’t stopped him from leaping to third on Detroit’s leaderboards in terms of home runs.

All told, the slugger entered Sunday with 12 RBI, 11 hits, 11 walks, nine runs scored and six home runs in eight games.