Detroit Tigers Weekly Recap: Wins(!) and rain

After an 0-3 start, the Detroit Tigers went 3-1 last week to get themselves back on track. Here are a few observations from the first full week of baseball.

The Detroit Tigers sit at 4-4 after completing a series sweep against the Chicago White Sox. Some outstanding performances helped the team turn it around after getting swept by the Pirates to begin the season.

While going through a rebuilding process can be tough, it’s encouraging to see the Tigers rebound from an ugly start to the year. The rotation has looked extremely solid through two rounds, and even the bullpen has had it’s moments. Shane Greene has struck out six in just 3.2 innings of work, although he’s surrendered three runs on five hits.

While Nicholas Castellanos, Miguel Cabrera and Michael Fulmer are taking care of business, it has been the work of some less heralded players that has kept the Tigers in games.

Joe Jimenez (5.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 K) Dixon Machado (.281, six doubles) Niko Goodrum (1 home run, 3 stolen bases) and Mike Fiers (6 shutout innings) have all delivered more than expected in the first few weeks of the season.

Below is a recap of the state of affairs in the Motor City. First up, a glance at the starting pitchers:

The Good

Nicholas Castellanos is slashing .324/.395/.500 with two triples and three RBI on the year. The league-leader in triples last season, Castellanos has continued to sting the ball. When the weather gets nicer, expect Castellanos to rapidly start adding to that home run total.

The Tigers are giving plenty of rest to DH Victor Martinez, but the slugger is slashing a robust .286/.360/.381 with five RBI on the year. Again, the home runs should come for the veteran switch-hitter.

Miggy is back, leading the team with one home run and nine RBI while slashing .276/.353/.483.

Lastly, Dixon Machado has been a pleasant surprise, hitting .281 with a team high six doubles and seven RBI, second only to Cabrera.

The Bad

Jose Iglesias is an abysmal 2-for-26 (.077) so far on the year. He’s drawn three walks and swiped a base, but he will need to start hitting if we wants to keep his job over Niko Goodrum, who is hitting .250 with a home run.

Mikie Mahtook had a terrible spring, and has followed that up with a .160/.241/.200 slash line to start the year. Do not be surprised to see JaCoby Jones start to cut into his playing time, and soon.

James McCann is hitting .208 and has already matched last year’s total of two errors in the field. McCann is secure in his job for now, but John Hicks and Jarrod Saltalamacchia both represent solid veteran options that could cut into his playing time if he doesn’t shape up.

The Tigers chose to hold onto young left-hander Daniel Norris, opting to keep him in the bullpen and to send down right-hander Warwick Saupold instead. The Tigers still view Norris as a future starter, and are planning to keep him stretched out in a long relief role with the big club.

Saupold threw 3.1 scoreless innings across four games, giving up three hits and one walk. It’s a bit surprising to see him go down after a strong start, but Detroit figures to rotate through quite a few relievers this season. Plus, Saupold is one of the few relievers with options remaining.

Detroit and Kansas City were rained out on Thursday, with the makeup game scheduled for April 20, when both teams have a scheduled off-day.

Victor Reyes pinch-ran for Victor Martinez in Saturday’s contest, a sign that he is healed from the laceration he suffered after a collision with Jose Iglesias. Reyes has only played in two games so far this year. He figures to primarily be a pinch-runner while he waits out his year on the 25-man roster, per the Rule 5 Draft requirements. JaCoby Jones is firmly entrenched as the team’s fourth outfielder, so don’t expect to see Reyes more than a handful of times this season.

On the Farm

In the minors, outfielder Mike Gerber has already hit two home runs in just three games with Triple-A Toledo. He figures to make his big league debut sometime in 2018.

Chad Bell looked solid in his first start back at Triple-A Toledo, striking out five in 3.1 innings of work.

And finally, shortstop prospect Sergio Alcantara is 6-for-14 with two doubles and a triple as Double-A Erie’s starting shortstop.

Next: Tigers prospects entering make-or-break seasons

Up next for the Tigers is a full week of games. They play four in Cleveland against the Indians before heading back home to host Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees.