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Detroit Tigers: AJ Hinch Has Top Half of the Lineup Set

By Jacob Boes

LAKELAND, FLORIDA - MARCH 04: Manager A.J. Hinch #14 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during a spring training game at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 04, 2021 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
LAKELAND, FLORIDA - MARCH 04: Manager A.J. Hinch #14 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during a spring training game at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 04, 2021 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch is an insightful interview and Sunday offered more of the same; as he gave some thoughts on how Spring Training is coming, and specifically, how he intends to construct his lineup.

Hinch has been public before Sunday’s interview on his affection for the idea of having switch-hitters near the top of the order. On a video conference with beat reporters earlier he simply mentioned, “I want our best hitters to get the most at-bats.” Makes sense, and the type of logic that Detroit Tigers fans have been hoping would get implemented for some time now.

But Sunday, Hinch got into specifics and while he said he is still having these conversations and thoughts daily, did mention he feels he has the top half of the lineup figured out and has had conversations with players like Miguel Cabrera about his plans.

The top half of the lineup is likely to play out as follows most days, according to Hinch:

  1. Robbie Grossman
  2. Jeimer Candelario
  3. Jonathan Schoop
  4. Miguel Cabrera

Cabrera batted third today, but Hinch mentioned that most of the time, the plan is to hit Cabrera fourth against righties and third against lefties most days, which would put things more like this:

  1. Robbie Grossman
  2. Jeimer Candelario
  3. Miguel Cabrera
  4. Jonathan Schoop

Another option, and one we’ll likely see in some capacity during the season, would be to put Willi Castro in Schoop’s spots in these scenarios. As Hinch noted, Castro’s approach is more free-swinging in nature, and while he might have more RBI chances in the third slot, hitting Castro fifth might be more practical for base-stealing purposes. Though if Cabrera is ahead of Castro, it would not matter regardless.

Nevertheless, Hinch stated the plan is to hit Castro somewhere between first and fifth; and mentioned he does not feel Castro is likely to change his approach at the plate depending on where his spot is.

As for the others, though, he likes to have power in the leadoff spot, which, when coupled with his on-base ability, makes perfect sense for a player like Grossman. Candelario, likewise, is known for his ability to work counts. The goal here is to obviously get on base, prevent outs, and do damage; all of which Grossman and Candelario do well–but they also work counts. Maximizing their plate appearances through the season will hopefully help to knock out starters earlier than usual and get into the opposition’s bullpen.

As for the rest of the lineup, that is still in the works. For what it’s worth, this is likely what I would roll with on most days for the 2021 Detroit Tigers:

  1. Robbie Grossman, RF
  2. Jeimer Candelario, 3B
  3. Jonathan Schoop, 2B
  4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B/DH
  5. Willi Castro, SS
  6. Wilson Ramos, C
  7. Nomar Mazara, LF
  8. Niko Goodrum UTIL/DH
  9. JaCoby Jones, CF

The pliability with this lineup is real and something manager AJ Hinch is likely to exploit early and often this season for the Detroit Tigers.

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