Detroit Tigers: Spring position battles to watch for

The Detroit Tigers have plenty of positions open this spring, as camp opens in just a few days.

Next Tuesday Detroit Tigers pitchers and catchers report to Lakeland for Spring Training. It signifies the return of baseball. While veterans are tuning up, there are a few vying for a spot on the major-league roster.

While the games don’t count, there are some players that are trying desperately to make the roster.

Prospects will try to impress new Manager Ron Gardenhire, hoping to get a spot on his opening day depth chart. Unlike years in the past, many starting positions aren’t set in stone. The rotation, bullpen, and outfield all have lingering questions.

The Tigers have gotten a few pieces in the off-season. Leonys Martin and Mike Fiers are favorites to make the team. Ryan Carpenter and Travis Wood were picked up on minor-league contracts, and will try to perform well enough to make the roster.

Likewise, young prospects will try to impress. Future Tigers Alex Faedo and Victor Alcantara are non-roster invitees. While it is improbable that they’ll make the roster, some prospects will get their first look at major league action.

Sometimes there are a few surprises. JD Martinez was cut by the Houston Astros in 2014, and became one of the most memorable Tigers in the past decade. Perhaps it could happen again.

Despite this, Spring Training means baseball is back. And it means there’s less than a month until the Tigers open against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, March 29th.

Here’s a look at position battles to keep your eyes on:

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.

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.

Baseball is Back!