Detroit Tigers: Al Avila’s under-the-radar additions are paying off

Daniel Stumpf

The Tigers were able to pick up a controllable, intriguing power reliever in Daniel Stumpf via the Rule 5 draft.

Initially drafted from Kansas City, Stumpf—who was also a Rule 5 pick in 2016—opted for free agency instead. He returned to Detroit and has now become a key part of the team’s bullpen.

In 15.1 frames of work (22 appearances), the southpaw has struck out 15 while pitching to a 2.93 ERA. He’s allowed just four hits, four walks and no runs in his last nine outings.

Per Spotrac, the 26-year-old won’t be arbitration eligible until after 2019, and won’t hit free agency until after the 2022 campaign.

Chad Bell

Stumpf is one of three left-handers currently in Detroit’s bullpen, the other two are Wilson and Chad Bell.

Bell, who Avila picked up for journeyman Bobby Wilson, has provided solid innings as a long reliever.

The 28-year-old’s ERA is largely inflated due to three appearances in the last month in which he’s surrendered 12 hits, 11 runs, five walks and three home runs in 7.1 frames.

Bell pitched in blowout losses in all three instances, but before that, he’d given Brad Ausmus a reliable source of innings in instances when the bullpen needs to be saved.

Prior to the three bad outings, Bell had logged a 2.21 ERA in his first 20.1 professional outings.

Despite the ERA, Bell has turned in an encouraging 7.9 punch outs per nine innings and is versatile with past experience as a starting pitcher.

The Outfield

Moving on to position players, Al Avila and the Detroit Tigers have received some excellent production from a trio of outfielders in particular.

Detroit’s outfield picture has undergone quite a transformation in the last few years.

At the beginning of 2016, Justin Upton, Cameron Maybin and J.D. Martinez patrolled the outfield grass with Anthony Gose, Tyler Collins and Steven Moya contributing off the bench.

Fast forward to present day and the picture has changed significantly.

Maybin was flipped to Anaheim, while Martinez was also traded out west—to the Arizona Diamondbacks in this instance.

Meanwhile, Gose is pitching in Lakeland, Collins is with Toledo and Steven Moya is with Double-A Erie. All three are off the 40-man roster.

In their places have stepped Mikie Mahtook, Jim Adduci and Alex Presley.

With the exception of the occasional Andrew Romine start, Upton, Mahtook, Presley and Adduci comprise Detroit’s current outfield grouping.

Unsurprisingly, after going on a tear at the end of 2016, Upton has been excellent. The slugger paces Detroit Tigers position players in WAR and ISO. He’s also sporting a 132 wRC+ and a .370 wOBA.

However, the other three have turned heads as well.

Mike Mahtook

Mahtook, who hit just .186 with a .577 OPS through the end of May, has been on a tear since.

In 102 plate appearances dating back to the start of June, the former first-round pick is batting .350 with a .913 OPS, 14 RBI, 13 runs scored and 11 extra-base hits.

Avila did give up well-regarded pitching prospect Drew Smith to bring in Mahtook, but it is hard to argue with Mahtook’s results so far.

Able to make an impact at the plate, on the base paths (0.2 BsR) and cover ground in Comerica Park, Mahtook looks like a long-term piece in the Motor City.

It certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s only 26 and is controllable, according to Spotrac, through 2021.

Jim Adduci

Earlier this season, Jim Adduci stepped in to fill in for J.D. Martinez when the slugger was injured.

Now, with Martinez in the desert, Adduci is being counted on once again to see time in right field.

In the early goings of the season, and as of late, the 32-year-old has been productive.

Adduci has turned in a 127 wRC+, a .362 wOBA and an .845 OPS in 53 plate appearances this season.

The outfielder, who wasn’t even invited to Major League Spring Training after signing a minor league deal, has also chipped in with eight runs scored, seven RBI and six extra-base hits.

It will certainly be interesting to see what the veteran can do with more consistent at-bats down the stretch.

Alex Presley

Rounding out the list is Alex Presley, who brings a different element to the Detroit Tigers.

Detroit hasn’t exactly been a base-running juggernaut in years past.

Of course, this happens when players like Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez and Prince Fielder are or have been on the team’s payroll.

However, Presley has given the team an added base-running threat.

In 30 games this season, he’s swiped three bases and logged a 1.2 BsR.

The stats rank fifth and fourth among Detroit base runners this season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Presley lead the team in both categories as the season progresses.

Inked to a minors deal after seeing action with the club in three games in 2016, Presley outlasted the likes of Gose, Collins, Moya and Matt den Dekker in the Motor City.

He’s hitting .329 with a .380 on-base percentage, a .435 slugging percentage, a .815 OPS and a 122 wRC_ in 93 plate appearances.

The veteran has also accumulated a .355 wOBA and a .106 ISO.

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While he isn’t controllable long-term given his past big league experience with the Pirates and Astros, Presley is controllable (per Spotrac) through 2018 via arbitration.