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Detroit Tigers: The 2021 Opening Day roster is set

By Roger Castillo |
Mar 16, 2021; Lakeland, Florida, USA; A general view of Publix Field during the game between the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2021; Lakeland, Florida, USA; A general view of Publix Field during the game between the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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The Detroit Tigers have set up their final roster this morning with a series of moves as we head towards the end of spring training.

First, former All-Star closer Joe Jimenez was optioned down to Toledo. As Jake covered earlier this morning, this may have come as a surprise to some Tigers fans but the numbers indicate there Detroit could not have carried him to start the season.  His work ethic and what is possible based on his fastball spin could have him back in Detroit at some point. Sometimes, just a reset to look at what is going on with command is all you need.

The second move this morning to me at least was a bit of surprise. Renato Núñez did not make the team. Granted, at times during spring training, his defense, which has been a known weakness, reared its ugly head a few times but I thought the offense would carry him to a major league club. As of now, there is no word if he will accept the minor league option back down to Toledo.

If he does, that gives the Toledo Mud Hens a pretty veteran roster. The outfield is shaping up like this.  (Thanks Jake for the assist with this)

  • Derek Hill
  • Christin Stewart
  • Daz Cameron

The infield could look something like this.

  • Kody Clemens
  • Zack Short
  • Isaac Paredes
  • Jake Rogers

With the minor league season not slated to start until May 1, several of these players will be in mini-camp so Detroit will have a few players ready to be called up just in case. Erasmo Ramirez, who had an impressive spring training along with Ian Krol, will also start the season in Toledo.

Without further ado, here is your Opening Day 2021 Detroit Tigers Roster.

Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers /
  1. Matthew Boyd
  2. Julio Teheran
  3. Tarik Skubal
  4. Jose Urena
  5. Casey Mize

(Spencer Turnbull will start the season on the IL)

Mize shut me up with his performance against the Blue Jays on Thursday.  I will admit when I am wrong when it comes to the

Opening Day roster projections

and both times, I left him out and I had Urena starting the season in the bullpen at first but switched to the rotation.

Teheran’s velocity is up from last season, which bodes well for Detroit and Tarik Skubal and now Casey Mize continues to give the Tigers a homegrown feel. When Spencer Turnbull comes back from the IL, Detroit will potentially have three players they have drafted in their rotation at the same time just only the third time since 1984.  Here are three times it has occurred.

1984: Jack Morris, Dan Petry, Dave Rozema

1995: Sean Bergman, Jose Lima, Felipe Lira

2012: Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello, Drew Smyly

How long it will last, we will see but you have to give a tip of the cap to the Detroit Tigers front office for this. It is very tough to build a rotation from within. I am cautiously optimistic about the rotation.

Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers /

The Detroit Tigers Bullpen:

  1. Tyler Alexander
  2. Jose Cisnero
  3. Bryan Garcia
  4. Buck Farmer
  5. Michael Fulmer
  6. Derek Holland
  7. Daniel Norris
  8. Gregory Soto

Manager A.J. Hinch has not named a closer yet but something that is rather rare, the Tigers will carry four lefties out of their bullpen. The newest name to add to last year’s pen is Derek Holland.  Holland’s spring training numbers have been impressive. 8IP 5H 13K.

As Chris and I discussed earlier in the week, it seems like Michael Fulmer appears comfortable to come out of the bullpen. While this could be temporary, his appearances this week were very encouraging.

With four former starters in the rotation with Norris, Fulmer, Holland, and Alexander, Detroit has long-relief options that they could turn to if need be.

Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers /

Detroit Tigers Infield:

1B/DH Miguel Cabrera

INF Jonathan Schoop

INF Willi Castro

INF Niko Goodrum

INF Jeimer Candelario

INF Harold Castro

Detroit Tigers Outfield:

Akli Baddoo

JaCoby Jones

Robbie Grossman

Victor Reyes

Nomar Mazara

Detroit will be carrying five outfielders as Akil Baddoo forced the issue with his display of patience at the plate, power, and speed. He had 10 walks and put up an OPS of 1.181. Now, I know what you are thinking, spring training stats do not matter and you are correct.

But it’s the complete package you have to look at for Baddoo. No one expected this. Once again, kudos to the scouting department for finding Baddoo. As Chris Brown pointed out two weeks ago, only Willi Casto was the only hitter with as many hard-hit balls (95 MPH+ exit velocity) as Baddoo.

How much playing time Baddoo will get is entirely how he performs and adjusts as teams figure out his weaknesses but as Detroit continues in their rebuilding efforts, it doesn’t hurt to have a player like this in on your roster.

I was admittedly shocked that Harold Castro made the club, considering he does have a minor league option left and they dropped Nunez, who can play first. So it begs the question, who is on first? Well, if you look at the lineup today in spring training, here’s a hint of how Opening Day may look like.

With the exception of Cabrera, the rest of the infield can play multiple positions. Schoop has also seen time at 3rd this spring so a split of Cabrera and Schoop at first looks to be the case.

Pending anything major happening to end the spring, this appears to be the Opening Day roster for the 2021 Detroit Tigers.

What are your thoughts about the roster? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

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