Detroit Tigers: Christin Stewart, Mike Gerber should be September call-ups

Future implications

Stewart and Gerber, along with JaCoby Jones and Mikie Mahtook, are the future of the Detroit Tigers outfield.

With Mahtook already penciled into the lineup on a daily basis and Jones likely to see more playing time as the season progresses, it makes sense to ease Stewart and Gerber into the Majors down the stretch.

At worst, the team can get them some at-bats in the Majors and send them to Toledo for more seasoning to begin 2018.

However, at this point, the team needs to start playing younger players more often.

Incumbent veterans

With somewhat of a rebuild on the cards, trotting out Alex Presley or Jim Adduci everyday down the stretch doesn’t seem prudent if younger players are ready to see time in the outfield.

Both have proven to be quality under-the-radar finds by general manager Al Avila.

Presley and Adduci are each sporting a 0.2 WAR in limited action (158 plate appearances for Presley, 93 for Adduci).

Additionally, Presley has notched a 1.2 BsR and a .342 on-base percentage, serving as a much-needed table setting option.

Elsewhere, Adduci has turned in a .157 ISO, 10 RBI, 10 walks, nine extra-base hits and a stolen base in his 93 plate appearances this season.

That being said, Presley is 31 and Adduci is 32. It’s possible that they could stick around as bench pieces next season should the Detroit Tigers contend, but the youth needs to be playing at this point.

Of course, there is the possibility that Stewart and Gerber may not be ready. However, if they are, top prospects have skipped over Triple-A before.