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Detroit Tigers: Simply put, right field defense wasn’t good in 2017

By Ben Rosener |
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 27: Right fielder Jim Adduci #37 of the Detroit Tigers falls to the ground and the ball pops loose after colliding with center fielder Tyler Collins #18 of the Detroit Tigers on a fly ball hit by Nelson Cruz of the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at Comerica Park on April 27, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Cruz was credited with a double on the play. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 27: Right fielder Jim Adduci #37 of the Detroit Tigers falls to the ground and the ball pops loose after colliding with center fielder Tyler Collins #18 of the Detroit Tigers on a fly ball hit by Nelson Cruz of the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at Comerica Park on April 27, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Cruz was credited with a double on the play. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Torii Hunter #48 of the Detroit Tigers and J.D. Martinez #28 surround Miguel Cabrera #24 after he hit a RBI-single in the ninth inning to defeat the Chicago White Sox 4-3 at Comerica Park on September 23, 2014, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Torii Hunter #48 of the Detroit Tigers and J.D. Martinez #28 surround Miguel Cabrera #24 after he hit a RBI-single in the ninth inning to defeat the Chicago White Sox 4-3 at Comerica Park on September 23, 2014, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers right fielders didn’t have the best year from a defensive standpoint in 2017. Whether the defense improves remains to be seen, but the overall product wasn’t great last season.

Detroit Tigers fans have seen some outstanding offensive production from right outfielders in seasons past.

While the likes of Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes have manned left field, right fielders have had much more of an impact at the plate for the Tigers.

Magglio Ordonez, Torii Hunter and J.D. Martinez have provided some excellent offense, however they didn’t exactly win Gold Gloves toward the end of their tenures in the Motor City.

Ordonez had a DRS of -6 or worse in five of his last six seasons in the Majors, while Hunter had UZR/150 stats of -5.1 and -20.1 respectively in his two years with Detroit.

Martinez showed initial promise in right field with a +4 DRS and a 8.0 UZR/150 in his first season at the position with the Tigers (he started in left field in 2014).

However, he could never quite recapture that kind of defensive form.

In 2016 his DRS checked in at -22, while his UZR/150 was -21.5 in 1027.1 defensive innings of work.

The 2017 campaign wasn’t quite as much of a struggle for the veteran.

In an admittedly smaller sample size of 438 innings, Martinez had a -6 DRS, a -16.4 UZR/150 and a -7.8 defensive runs above average stat.

The slugger’s defensive struggles were largely a sign of things to come for the Tigers in right field from a defensive standpoint.

DETROIT, MI – JUNE 15: Center fielder Alex Presley #14 of the Detroit Tigers chases a RBI-double hit over his head by Logan Morrison of the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning at Comerica Park on June 15, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JUNE 15: Center fielder Alex Presley #14 of the Detroit Tigers chases a RBI-double hit over his head by Logan Morrison of the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning at Comerica Park on June 15, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

As a team

Overall, the Tigers right fielders finished last in the Majors with a -17.1 cumulative defensive runs above average.

What’s more, only five teams had right field units that had a collective DRS worse than -10.

Detroit was one of those five teams, as Tigers right fielders had a -21 DRS. The next closest was Kansas City with -18.

The UZR/150 metric paints a slightly more positive picture, but only slightly. Detroit right fielders ranked 29th in the stat with a -8.8 number that only ranked above Pittsburgh’s -9.4.

Individually

Six different Detroit Tigers players logged at least 120 defensive inning in right field last season.

The group includes Martine (438 innings), Alex Presley (259.2 innings), Jim Adduci (194 innings), Nicholas Castellanos (173 innings), Mikie Mahtook (145 innings) and Tyler Collins (128.2 innings).

The only bright spot of the group was Adduci, who notched a +3 DRS and a 4.9 UZR/150.

His -0.2 defensive runs above average stat wasn’t ideal, but it looked much better when compared to the likes of Martinez (-7.8) and Castellanos (-6.2).

Nicholas Castellanos

Speaking of Castellanos, he’s the leading candidate to see the lion’s share of the innings at the position in 2018.

If Detroit enters next season without Victor Martinez on the roster, the team may find it prudent to move Miguel Cabrera to designated hitter and find a new first baseman.

This is purely speculative mind you, but Castellanos could be a fit there.

Still, it’s likely that the former third baseman will be in right field come Opening Day.

In 173 innings down the stretch he had an eye-catching (and not in a good way) -80.5 UZR/150 and -7 DRS.

Among the 67 right fielders with at least 120 defensive innings, Castellanos ranked 58th in defensive runs above average and last in UZR/150.

For reference, the next closest right fielder was Oakland’s Mark Canha with a -42.9 UZR/150.

The rest of Detroit’s right fielders didn’t fare well overall either from a metrics standpoint.

Presley was 59th in DRS, while Collins was 58th in UZR/150.

Admittedly, some metrics viewed Detroit’s right fielders in a slightly kinder fashion.

Adduci, Presley, Mahtook and Collins all ranked in the top 26 in defensive runs above average. The ex-Rangers outfielder finished 17th in DRS while Presley and Mahtook were more middle of the pack in terms of UZR/150.

Still, the overall picture isn’t a pretty one.

DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 16: Right fielder Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers catches a fly ball hit by Yolmer Sanchez of the Chicago White Sox for an out during the seventh inning at Comerica Park on September 16, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 16: Right fielder Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers catches a fly ball hit by Yolmer Sanchez of the Chicago White Sox for an out during the seventh inning at Comerica Park on September 16, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Will the Detroit Tigers right field defense improve in 2018?

Potentially.

In theory, Nicholas Castellanos should get better with more reps in right field as time goes on. He didn’t look completely out of place at times despite having never played the position before in the Majors.

While his advanced metrics at the position aren’t anything to write home about, there’s a possibility that he can adapt to the position moving forward.

The Tigers’ defensive outlook at the position could also improve if they decide to utilize a different outfielder at the position and shift Castellanos to a different position.

Additionally, the unit could be better if Adduci is handed more playing time or if a prospect like Mike Gerber, who profiles as a dependable defender, sees action in right field.

The Tigers could also bolster the position with a free agent signing.

Old friend Curtis Granderson, who logged 273 innings at the position in 2017, led all right fielders with at least 250 innings with a 28.2 UZR/150.

Granderson will be a free agent this offseason.

Of the same group, he finished tied for third in terms of defensive runs above average with a 3.7 stat and 10th in DRS with a +6 number.

So yes, it could get better for the Detroit Tigers from a defensive standpoint in right field.

Next: Here they are, your winners and losers from the 2017 Detroit Tigers season

Whether it be Nicholas Castellanos becoming more comfortable at the position or a new option being brought in, there are a number of ways the right fielders could improve defensively in 2018.

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