Detroit Tigers: Battle for the Backup Backstop

John Hicks

The most likely candidate to challenge McCann for playing time may be John Hicks. Prior to the Avila trade, Hicks went back-and-forth a few times between Detroit and Toledo. Following the deal, Hicks stayed with the Tigers for the remainder of the season.

Offensively, Hicks was slightly better than McCann in 2017. Hicks slashed .266/.326/.439 in 60 games, while McCann was at .253/.318/.415 in 106.

Prior to last year, Hicks had appeared in just 18 big league games. In seven minor league seasons, the former fourth round pick has hit .283 with a .748 OPS. A minor league track record like that doesn’t guarantee anything, but it shows he has the potential to be a solid offensive threat.

So far this spring it’s been a tough go at the plate for Hicks. He’s just two for his first 14, although he did launch a homer against the Yankees earlier in the week.

Defensively, Hicks was solid as well in 2017. In 32 Major League games so far, Hicks has thrown out seven out of 16 (44%) of baserunners. That’s a small sample size, but he threw out 46% of runners in the minors in over 300 attempts, so that number doesn’t seem to be an anomaly.

While he doesn’t offer the same wealth of Major League experience as McCann and some of the others in camp, Hicks does provide some flexibility with his ability to play first base. With Miguel Cabrera banged up for much of 2017, Hicks appeared in 27 games at first a year ago. Another solid offensive season could see him earn time as the DH, as well.

The combination of offense and positional flexibility should earn Hicks a spot on the Tigers Opening Day roster, even if it isn’t as McCann’s primary backup.