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Detroit Tigers: 5 Notable Stats from Fangraph’s 2019 Steamer Projections

By Andy Patton

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 30: Niko Goodrum #28 of the Detroit Tigers cannot come up with an infield single hit by Devon Travis #29 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning during MLB game action at Rogers Centre on June 30, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 30: Niko Goodrum #28 of the Detroit Tigers cannot come up with an infield single hit by Devon Travis #29 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning during MLB game action at Rogers Centre on June 30, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 11: Christin Stewart #14 of the Detroit Tigers strikes out to end their game against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at Comerica Park on September 11, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Astros defeated the Tigers 5-4. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Christin Stewart – 18 Home Runs

Longtime prospect Christin Stewart finally reached the big leagues last season, playing in 17 games for the Tigers down the stretch. He totaled two home runs, 10 RBI and slashed a tidy .267/.375/.417 with a 13.9% walk rate and an 18.1% strikeout rate. Although his defense still leaves plenty to be desired, most believe that Stewart will be Detroit’s starting left fielder in 2019.

Steamer projects Stewart for 18 home runs, 52 RBI, 54 runs scored and a .245/.327/.447 slash line. Perhaps more importantly, they believe he will play in 97 games and accrue 410 plate appearances, solid numbers but not quite what you’d expect from a full-time left fielder.

Steamer also projects Tigers left fielder Mikie Mahtook to have 466 plate appearances, which certainly seems unlikely considering the of JaCoby Jones and Nicholas Castellanos. Stewart will have to win the starting job over Mahtook (if he’s still on the roster) as well as Victor Reyes, Dustin Peterson and Mike Gerber, all of whom will compete for a spot on the 25-man roster.

If Stewart wins the job, I expect him to be hitting in the heart of Detroit’s order. While he probably won’t post a .375 OBP and a 13.1% walk rate like he did in September, I think Steamer’s predictions fit in well with what Stewart is capable of doing. And over 600+ plate appearances, I don’t think 30 home runs is out of the question.

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