Detroit Tigers: Three players to watch in series against Kansas City Royals

Anibal Sanchez

It’s safe to say that the 2017 season hasn’t been Anibal Sanchez’ best.

After an abysmal 2016 in which the starter allowed 3.11 walks and 1.76 home runs per nine innings in 2016, Sanchez has given up 2.48 walks and 2.48 home runs per nine frames this year.

He’s also sporting a 1.60 WHIP, a 5.74 xFIP and a career-low 36.3 ground ball percentage in 94.1 innings.

Of course, some of that has to do with a sky0high .347 BABIP, but Sanchez has still struggled in terms of limiting mistakes (walks and home runs).

However, he’s shown well at times this year. Those time have included the veteran’s last two starts.

In 12 combined innings against the Athletics and White Sox, Sanchez struck out 19 batters against just four walks allowed.

He also surrendered just nine hits, two runs and one home run total.

The ex-Marlin will look to keep up the positive momentum against a Royals squad that has gotten to him for 10 hits, five runs and two walks in just 3.2 innings this season.

That being said, Sanchez does have a lifetime 2.49 ERA in 47 innings at Kauffman Stadium.

Nicholas Castellanos

Things haven’t gone swimmingly for Castellanos defensively since shifting to right field from a defensive standpoint.

The converted infielder is posting a -58.3 UZR/150, a -7 DRS and a -0.3 ARM in 126 defensive innings in the outfield for Detroit.

It obviously still early and Castellanos is still learning the position. Still, his defensive stats don’t exactly stand out.

What does stand out, however, is the 25-year-old’s recent production at the plate.

Castellanos is tied with Jeimer Candelario for the team lead in WAR during the month of September with a 1.0 number.

This is largely due to an offensive hot streak that has seen the former first-round pick hit .368 with a .378 on-base percentage, a 169 wRC+ and a .427 wOBA.

Detroit’s new right fielder has also provided the power the team has missed since the trade of Justin Upton.

Castellanos has added nine doubles and six home runs in just 98 September plate appearances. That’s been good for a .284 ISO and a .653 slugging percentage.

The offensive success could continue for the slugger on Tuesday as he matches up with Jason Vargas, a starter who Castellanos has connected for two home runs off of in 18 career plate appearances.

The former infielder has also found plenty of success (five-for-nine with two doubles and two RBI) against Royals’ reliever Kelvin Herrera.

Ian Kinsler

It remains to be seen if the Detroit Tigers will deal Ian Kinsler this offseason.

Regardless, however, it should be noted that the second baseman has done a solid job of padding his trade value as of late.

With just a 92 wRC+ and a .313 wOBA in 598 plate appearances, Kinsler hasn’t enjoyed the best overall season at the plate.

That being said, he’s made a habit of launching long balls lately

In 101 September plate appearances, Kinsler has crushed eight home runs to go along with 13 runs scored, 12 RBI and a stolen base.

He’s hitting just .213 with a .267 on-base percentage during the span, but that is likely in part due to an unfortunately-low .174 BABIP.

Like Castellanos—or perhaps even more so—Kinsler has found plenty of success against Kansas City pitching.

He’s hitting .359 (23-for-64) against Jason Vargas with eight doubles, seven RBI, three walks, two home runs and two triples.

Kinsler also has two home runs against the respective starters on Wednesday and Thursday in Jason Hammel and Danny Duffy.

The All-Star second baseman has been particularly efficient against Hammel, with six hits, two RBI, two walks and the two aforementioned home runs in just 17 plate appearances.

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What’s more, Kinsler is also four-for-nine with three RBI against reliever Peter Moylan and three-for-10 with a double against former Detroit Tigers pitcher Joakim Soria.