Detroit Tigers: Spring position battles to watch for

Starting Rotation

So far, only three starting jobs are set in stone. Michael Fulmer, Mike Fiers, and Jordan Zimmerman are certainly locks for the rotation. That leaves two positions open.  Matt Boyd and Daniel Norris will compete with Travis Wood, Ryan Carpenter, and Alex Wilson for the two remaining spots.

At least Boyd or Norris will probably take one rotation spot. They’ve held a spot since coming over to Detroit from Toronto, in a deal liquidating David Price. At times, they’ve been good. Boyd had an ERA under three in a couple months in 2016 and September/October 2017. Norris ended 2017 with a 3.03 ERA over 56.1 innings the last two months.

They’re the favorites. The Tigers signed minor-league journeyman Ryan Carpenter over the off-season. Carpenter’s had limited success, and had improved his AAA ERA by 3.32. He also pitched close to a hundred more innings his second year in Albuquerque.

Carpenter will need to impress pitching coach Chris Bosio to make the rotation.

Wood is another pitcher hoping to make the rotation. He will probably end up in the bullpen, if he makes the team. Wood started 11 games for San Diego last season, and went 3-4 with a 6.71 ERA in 52.1 innings. His FIP, which can indicate whether a pitcher can improve, was much higher than his ERA. Wood is a long-shot to make the rotation.

Finally, we have Alex Wilson. The long-time setup man wants to start, and the Tigers are going to let him prepare as one during spring training. Wilson’s another player that’s improbable to make the rotation. Starting pitchers train differently. They prepare for only one game every five days, for seven or eight innings, whereas relievers prepare as if they’ll come into every game, for one inning.

Here’s a full-look at the rotation competition.

Bullpen

The bullpen has plagued the Tigers for years. Even when the team competed, the ‘pen was the weakest link. This year, it doesn’t seem to change.

We know Shane Greene is the closer. Aside from him, a lot of spots are open.

The setup slot depends on whether Alex Wilson makes the rotation or not. It’s his spot in the bullpen to lose. If Wilson does make the rotation, Blaine Hardy and Daniel Stumpf will compete for it. Either way, Stumpf and Hardy will most likely make the team.

Then, there are at least seven or eight pitchers competing for three or four more spots. Warwick Saupold, Drew VerHagen, Jairo Labourt, Artie Lewicki, Chad Bell, Zac Reininger, and Joe Jimenez are all on the spring depth chart.

Most likely, Saupold, Jimenez, and VerHagen will make the team. Saupold made 45 appearances last season, and had a few signs of success early, but trailed off later.

Jimenez is Detroit’s 22 year-old closer of the future. He dominated Triple-A last year, appearing in 26 games, pitching 25 innings, going 1-1 with a 1.44 ERA and 36 strikeouts. The power pitcher did get a taste of major-league action last year, but will have an expanded role in 2018.

VerHagen has had pitched in a few stints the past four years with Detroit. The 27 year-old had success in 2015, but hasn’t been in the majors for enough time to adjust to MLB hitters. Of the three pitchers listed above, VerHagen is the most likely to start the year in the minors.

Then, you have Travis Wood who is just competing for a spot on the roster. He had a tremendous amount of success in 2016 out of the Cubs bullpen, and the Tigers are hoping his reunion with  Chris Bosio brings back his success.

Finally, a handful of minor league signings in James Russell, Johnny Barbato, Enrique Burgos and Phillippe Aumont will look to make Detroit’s bullpen as well.

Here’s our full look at the bullpen.

Outfield

So far, only the corner outfield positions are locks. Mikie Mahtook will slide to left field, after having a good 2017 in right. Former third baseman Nicholas Castellanos will patrol right, after moving from third to accommodate for Jeimer Candelario.

Center field is still undecided. It’s safe to say newcomer Leonys Martin will make the team, but he’ll compete with JaCoby Jones and Rule 5 draft selection Victor Reyes for who makes the starting lineup.

It won’t be a surprise if Martin doesn’t start on Opening Day. He regressed sharply in 2017, only hitting .172, and reaching base just 23.2 percent of the time. While he’s a great fielder, his offensive production will hinder his chances.

Martin is also 30. Baseball players usually don’t improve greatly after hitting that age. While he may be defensively good, his bat likely won’t improve.

Martin’s competition are both younger. Jones has played in the majors before, has a good glove, and a questionable bat. He hit .170 in 141 at bats in the majors last season. Jones’ numbers in the minors, however, aren’t bad. He hit .245 in Triple-A Toledo last season, reached base 31.4 percent of the time, and had an OPS of .702. If he has a good spring, Jones should make the roster, and may even start on Opening Day.

The last competitor is Victor Reyes. The 2017 Rule 5 pick from Arizona had a good season at the plate in Double-A and fall ball, hitting .292/.332/.731, and .316/.333/.738, respectively. Defensively, Reyes was perfect in center, playing 404.1 innings of no-error baseball.

Reyes has a future in the majors. If Detroit likes him enough, he’ll have to spend the year in Detroit, or the Tigers will need to work out a deal with Arizona to retain him in the minors.

Here’s our full outfield preview.

Next: Five greatest African-Americans in team history

Spring Training starts next week. There’s plenty to keep an eye on, and many battles to watch. It will be interesting to see what the Tigers look like.

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