Detroit Tigers: Team using analytics more, and other notes

Here at The Corner, we round up Detroit Tigers news and rumors around the Tigers blogosphere so that you don’t spend hours surfing the web searching.

The Detroit Tigers have moved up Nicholas Castellanos in the batting order. According to Anthony Fenech, of the Detroit Free Press, the move was spurred by Ron Gardenhire being more involved with analytics. Historically Gardenhire hasn’t been a fan of sabermetrics, but he seems to be embracing them.

Prospect Daz Cameron is emerging as a well-liked prospect by the organization. Lynn Henning, of the Detroit News, writes that Cameron is showing that he has what it takes to play in the big leagues every day.

The Detroit Tigers have the overall number one pick in this years MLB draft. Auburn pitcher Casey Mize is considered to be the best pick in this year’s draft. Anthony Fenech writes that Mize was groomed to be the Tigers pick. Fenech talked to Mize’s family, coaches and Tigers scouts to get the full story.

Over at the Athletic, writer Emily Waldon breaks down this week’s top players in the Tigers farm system. She also writes that both Chad Huffman and Drew VerHagen have made strong cases for why they should be playing in the big leagues.

Meanwhile, Kurt Mensching writes that he’s been surprised by John Hick’s performance so far this year. He’s been a journeyman minor-leaguer most of his career but so far this year he’s solidified his spot in the Tigers lineup.

Next: Exploring a trade with the Seattle Mariners

Dixon Machado entered Saturday with a .206 batting average and the Tigers have been keeping him out of the lineup as they work on tweaking his swing reports the Detroit Free Press. With the trade deadline getting closer and closer, people are wondering which Tigers could be moved this season. Over at SB Nation’s Bless You Boys, they take a look at what players could realistically be moved.