Detroit Tigers: The 2020 30-Man Roster Explained

The Detroit Tigers have their 30-man roster set. A few surprises aside, here’s what they are rolling with for the opener against the Reds on Friday night.

This morning, the Detroit Tigers announced their 30-man roster for the 2020 season. There were a few names that came as a surprise, which we address later on, but there are certainly a few new names on the roster.

While granted, it is supposed to be only 26 roster spots before the pandemic struck, the Tigers made it very clear, they are letting their organization talent play. Here is the 30-man roster for 2020.

• Pitchers:  Dario Agrazal, Tyler Alexander, Matthew Boyd, Beau Burrows, Jose Cisnero, Buck Farmer, Michael Fulmer, Kyle Funkhouser, Bryan Garcia, Joe Jimenez, David McKay, Ivan Nova, John Schreiber, Gregory Soto, Spencer Turnbull
• Infielders: Miguel Cabrera, Jeimer Candelario, C.J. Cron, Niko Goodrum, Dawel Lugo, Jordy Mercer, Jonathan Schoop
• Catchers: Grayson Greiner, Austin Romine
• Outfielders: JaCoby Jones, Cameron Maybin, Victor Reyes, Christin Stewart
• Utility: Harold Castro

Before we get to the surprises, here’s how the rotation will play out starting tomorrow.

Fulmer looked strong yesterday against the Reds and it appears he could be on the back end of the rotation.

Surprises:

As I type this, I realize this is not much of a surprise if you think about it but for Tigers fans, perhaps it is. Despite batting .172 in intrasquad games and if you want to go even back further, having a disappointing spring, Dawel Lugo is on the roster. They still believe in Lugo.

Some Tigers fan may think it’s to justify the J.D Martinez but what it could be is that they have not seen enough of Issac Paredes. Paredes had an injury in spring training and recently, tested positive for the COVID19 virus. If you look at the organizational depth and why Lugo was playing second in the intrasquad games, they really did not much have much of a choice. Lugo is one of a few infielders with major league experience.

David McKay looked rough all summer camp. Here’s an example from Tuesday night.

It could be the case that McKay is working on getting his slurve pitch back on track but his fastball has lacked movement.  Anthony Castro had a tough camp but hopefully, he can figure it out in Toledo.

I share the same sediment as my fellow staff member Jake Boes about Nick Ramierz not making the squad. I was surprised by the move, given his versatility but we could see him at some point if the bullpen struggles. Agrazal may be sent down to make room for Daniel Norris once he is healthy.

Welcome to the show

Kyle Funkhouser joins teammates Bryan Garcia and John Schreiber as players from the 2016 MLB Class. Beau Burrows joins Christin Stewart and Tyler Alexander along with former Tigers Matt Hall and Kyle Dowdy to join the majors from the 2015 draft class. It has been a long road for Burrows since high school but the former starter now reliever will have an opportunity to show what he can do in his role in the bullpen.

Without a doubt, the roster will change in the next two weeks but if you look at the names that are on the roster.  From a bullpen standpoint, it is very inexperienced. Jimenez is new to the closer’s role and Chris Brown discussed on the “Tigers SRD” podcast recorded yesterday evening, Farmer has lost some MPH on the fastball in camp. Could be bad radar guns, who can tell but for now, here are your 2020 Detroit Tigers.

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