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Detroit Tigers: Internal center field candidates as it stands for 2018

By Ben Rosener |
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 30: JaCoby Jones #40 of the Detroit Tigers makes a diving attempt but was unable to catch a hit by Ehire Adrianza #16 of the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning during of their baseball game on September 30, 2017, at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(Photo by Andy King/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 30: JaCoby Jones #40 of the Detroit Tigers makes a diving attempt but was unable to catch a hit by Ehire Adrianza #16 of the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning during of their baseball game on September 30, 2017, at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(Photo by Andy King/Getty Images)
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 04: Mikie Mahtook #15 of the Detroit Tigers catches a fly ball hit by Jonathan Schoop #6 of the Baltimore Orioles (not pictured) in the sixth inning during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 4, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 04: Mikie Mahtook #15 of the Detroit Tigers catches a fly ball hit by Jonathan Schoop #6 of the Baltimore Orioles (not pictured) in the sixth inning during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 4, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers fans could see a different mix in center field for the 2018 season. As Detroit looks for a long-term fix, here’s who could man the position next year.

Detroit Tigers front office members and decision makers haven’t had the best luck in replacing Austin Jackson in center field.

Jackson, who last donned a Tigers uniform midway through the 2014 campaign before being traded in the David Price blockbuster, was an impact player at his best.

Curtis Granderson’s direct replacement turned in a 16.1 fWAR in his first four plus seasons in the Motor City.

Since Jackson departed, however, Detroit hasn’t found a long-term successor.

In that time span, Tigers center fielders have a collective fWAR of just 8.3.

The respective Anthony Gose and Tyler Collins experiments failed, while Alex Presley didn’t provide enough defensive value.

JaCoby Jones provides plenty of defensive value himself, but hasn’t adjusted to Major League pitching yet.

Cameron Maybin’s return to Detroit paid immediate dividends, however the team eventually moved the veteran in a salary-saving move.

Additionally, Mikie Mahtook could be a potential fit, but he saw plenty of time in both right field and left field in 2017.

Things could change as the offseason progresses. However, as it stands, these players are the best bets to see playing time in center field in 2018.

KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 26: JaCoby Jones #40 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates scoring against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Kauffman Stadium on September 26, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 26: JaCoby Jones #40 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates scoring against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Kauffman Stadium on September 26, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images) /

JaCoby Jones

It’s easy to get excited about a full season’s worth of games out of JaCoby Jones from a defensive standpoint.

While his UZR/150 and Def numbers (4.3 and 0.1 respectively) don’t jump off the page, Jones tied for 12th in the league among all center fielders with at least 350 defensive innings in DRS with a +5 number.

Among the same group, he also finished 14th in RngR with a 2.7 stat.

If the former Pittsburgh farmhand can hit at a higher rate than his 2017 stats (34 wRC+, .229 wOBA, .240 on-base percentage), he should be the hands-down starter due to his defense.

In this scenario Mahtook would shift to left or right.

Mike Gerber

He doesn’t quite have Christin Stewart’s raw power or Derek Hill’s blazing speed, but Gerber is one of, if not the most, well-rounded prospects.

Predominantly a center fielder as of late in the minors, Gerber batted .291 with a .363 on-base percentage, a .477 slugging percentage, a .374 wOBA and a 131 wRC+ in 394 plate appearances for Double-A Erie.

The 25-year-old also tacked on 62 runs scored, 45 RBI, 13 doubles and 10 stolen bases to go along with a 9.9% walk rate and a .186 ISO.

After a successful four-game stint in Toledo (18 plate appearances, eight hits, two doubles, two RBI, two walks and a triple), it wouldn’t be a shock to see Gerber win a job with the Detroit Tigers in Spring Training.

BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 04: Mikie Mahtook #15 of the Detroit Tigers catches a fly ball hit by Jonathan Schoop #6 of the Baltimore Orioles (not pictured) in the eighth inning during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 4, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 04: Mikie Mahtook #15 of the Detroit Tigers catches a fly ball hit by Jonathan Schoop #6 of the Baltimore Orioles (not pictured) in the eighth inning during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 4, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Mikie Mahtook

Easily the best all-around option currently at the Detroit Tigers disposal, Mahtook has some five-tool potential.

He hit .276 with a .330 on-base percentage, a .457 slugging percentage, a .335 wOBA, a 107 wRC+ and a .181 ISO in 379 plate appearances last season.

The former Rays player also tacked on 50 runs scored, 38 RBI, 12 home runs and six stolen bases.

In a somewhat similar vein to Jones, it’s easy to get excited about Mahtook’s offensive production given a full season of at-bats.

Of the players mentioned in this list, Mahtook seems the most assured of consistent playing time in 2018. He could start in center field or at another outfield spot.

The 27-year-old was also Detroit’s best base runner last season with a 3.2 BsR.

Alex Presley/Andrew Romine/Tyler Collins

Given Mahtook and Nicholas Castellanos’ established places in the outfield mix—not to mention the presence of Jones and perhaps prospects like Gerber and Christin Stewart—Detroit could be staring at a bit of a log jam in the outfield.

If that is the case, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the team offload veterans like Presley, Romine and Collins in the offseason considering the trio don’t exactly fit with the franchise’s rebuilding outlook.

Next: Can the Tigers' base running improve in 2018?

That being said, if the Tigers decide to keep the trio, one of them could share time with Jones or Gerber in center field.

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