Motor City Bengals
FanSided

Detroit Tigers: Mikie Mahtook’s no good very bad spring

By Andy Patton

DETROIT, MI - JULY 29: Center fielder Mikie Mahtook #15 of the Detroit Tigers can't get to a hit by Marwin Gonzalez #9 of the Houston Astros for a double during the first inning at Comerica Park on July 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Astros 5-3. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JULY 29: Center fielder Mikie Mahtook #15 of the Detroit Tigers can't get to a hit by Marwin Gonzalez #9 of the Houston Astros for a double during the first inning at Comerica Park on July 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Astros 5-3. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Detroit Tigers
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 04: Jim Adduci #37 of the Detroit Tigers hits a solo home run in the first inning during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 4, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Jim Adduci

Jim Adduci is back as a non-roster invitee and has hit well in spring training, boasting a .323 average with two home runs in 20 games played. Should the Tigers need him, he could be recalled in a pinch. He played in 29 games for the Tigers last season, making 26 starts in right field. The 33-year-old would not be the ideal starter for Detroit, but he is an option to fill some innings if need be.

Jason Krizan

Jason Krizan has been in Detroit’s minor league system since 2011. He has racked up over 600 plate appearances at Triple-A Toledo. He has started 384 games in left field over the course of his minor league career, and could absolutely fill a gap in a pinch. A 29-year-old who hit .125 in spring training and has never made the major leagues is not ideal, but he’s a warm body who could handle himself in left field if necessary.

The Prospects

Christin Stewart and Mike Gerber are two high-profile Tigers prospects who are expected to make their big league debuts in 2018. Either of them, if they are hitting well at Triple-A, could be recalled to start in left field if Mahtook is struggling. In fact, Stewart may be the most likely candidate to take the role if it becomes available. The Tigers are in a full-on rebuild, and giving a young prospect a chance to get every day at-bats in the show is always worth considering.

A trade

The last option is adding a player from outside the organization. Dodgers outfielder Trayce Thompson has been rumored as a trade candidate, and could fill Detroit’s need in left field. He had a strong half season run with the Dodgers in 2016 before injuries slowed his career down.

In addition to Thompson, there are tons of teams who release minor league veterans early into the season. If the Tigers really needed a warm body to place in left field while Jones/Stewart and everyone else receives more seasoning in the minor leagues, they could certainly find someone on the scrap heap.

Next: Spring Training hot or not

Mikie Mahtook is more than capable of busting his slump and posting a rock solid season as Detroit’s left fielder. However, it is possible he had a career year in 2017. After all, he is a 28-year-old who didn’t hit much in the minor leagues. Regardless, the Detroit Tigers should have a backup plan in place.

Expect to see a combination of nearly all of the above players manning all three outfield spots next season.

Home/Detroit Tigers News