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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 Tigers
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.

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