Detroit Tigers: The 2022 Opening Day Dream Lineup

Batting 2nd for the Detroit Tigers: Riley Greene – RF

As said so beautifully in Cinderella, “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” and my heart is hoping that top prospects Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson break camp with the team next spring, and start this march towards contention right from day one.

Greene had a remarkable 2021 between AA and AAA with a .301 avg, 24 home runs, and 84 RBI. He is a cornerstone for this organization for years to come.

I know some people would want Greene lower in the order to protect him and take some pressure off as he begins his big league journey, but the reigning Tigers offensive minor league player of the year has proven that he is one of the best young players in the world. It should be no sweat off his back to be high up in the batting order.

Batting 3rd – Spencer Torkelson – 1B

Speaking of cornerstones, that brings me to the former number one overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft Spencer Torkelson.

Torkelson had quite the minor league excursion this past year, playing at three different levels, mashing the baseball at every stop. Between high A, AA, and AAA, the man affectionately known as “Tork” clobbered 30 home runs and 91 RBI.

Having his bat third in the lineup may be a little risky, as I’m more confident in Greene’s speedy adjustment to the majors than I am Torkelson, but it can’t hurt having him bat before the next guy in the lineup, ensuring he’ll see some good pitches to hit.

Yes, I’m aware neither “Tork” nor Greene will start the season in Detroit, but it’s my dream! Please don’t try and wake me up!

Batting 4th for your Detroit Tigers: Carlos Correa – SS

The rumor mill has been churning for a while now that the stars are aligning for the Tigers to spend big on a free agent for the first time in years.

This year’s crop of eligible superstars have some big names, and 5 of them can play shortstop. Correa, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Javier Baez, and Trevor Story will all be competing for big free-agent dollars.

The name Carlos Correa has been linked to the Tigers because of his connection with his former Astros manager AJ Hinch, who is of course now the manager of the Tigers.

While some injury history to his back worries me a bit, I can’t help but be excited that this rumor has some legs. Adding Correa to this team would no doubt validate the front office’s promise of contention. A World Series champion and someone who is leading the Astros to another fall classic this season, Correa knows how to win, and would be right at home in the 4th slot of this batting order.

Batting 5th – Jonathan Schoop – 2B

Tigers fans felt a big collective adrenaline rush when instead of trading Schoop mid-season, they signed him to an extension. Schoop has been a solid bat for the Tigers over the past two seasons, and after blasting 22 homers and collecting 84 RBI, he’s no doubt the right man to hit behind and protect Correa.

Schoop played a lot of first base in ’21, but he’ll slide back over to the position he’s played most of his career in ’22, with Torkelson’s arrival.

Batting 6th for your Detroit Tigers: Miguel Cabrera – DH

The future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera is on the tail end (pun intended) of his Tigers and playing career.

He started last season off very slowly but went on a surge late, even garnering his 500th career home run towards the end of the season when it seemed we’d have to wait for the big milestone in 2022. That’s not the only milestone we fans have been waiting for Miggy to reach. Cabrera is 13 hits away from 3,000 in his career, a number he will no doubt reach early in 2022.

While he may not belong for the road on this roster (his contract is expiring after the 2023 season) one more season to shine and continue to pad his Cooperstown resume has more than been earned for number 24.

Batting 7th – Jeimer Candelario – 3B

Tigers fans spoke up a lot in 2021 about how much they like “Candy”, and clamored for an extension. I personally feel he needs to show a bit more consistency and power before he mans the hot corner for the foreseeable future.

He showed his first real signs of big-league ability in the pandemic shortened 2020 season and followed that up in 2021 with a nice campaign. Most notably smacking 42 doubles.

The organization has two more years of control before Candelario hits free agency, and batting 7th in this much-improved lineup should take a lot of pressure off of number 46. I believe this will be a career year for Jeimer.

Batting 8th – Eric Haase – C

After playing sparingly with division rival Cleveland the first three seasons of his career and amassing 1 round-tripper, Eric Haase came out of nowhere for the Tigers in 2021 crushing 22 home runs and collecting 61 RBI.

He found time behind the plate and in left field, but going into 2022 the Tigers will need him to be the battery mate of their young pitching staff. Jake Rogers will have a chance to reclaim his spot after he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The procedure will keep Rogers on the shelf for most of the ’22 season, if not its entirety. Until Rogers returns, it’s Haase’s job to lose.

The team had Haase hitting all throughout the lineup this past year, attempting to capitalize on his power. Having only batted .231 with an on-base percentage of .286, the bottom of the order is where the Michigan native fits best. There’s no telling what a full season’s worth of play will do to Haase’s ultimate output.

Batting 9th – Akil Baddoo – CF

There may have been no better story in Tigertown this past season than the play of rookie Akil Baddoo.

The Rule 5 pickup from the Twins won the hearts of the Motor City fanbase with an electric start to his career.

AJ Hinch gave Baddoo all the time in the world to make adjustments, and become accustomed to the majors. Baddoo finished the year with an above-average .330 OBP.

He more than earned a spot in the lineup, and by having him hit ninth you give him a chance to grow without the mounting pressure of carrying the team, similar to Candelario. Akil swiped 18 bags for the club, and having him back to back with Robbie Grossman gives the team the old “double leadoff”.

Few players in the league were as much fun to watch as Baddoo in 2021.

Detroit Tigers Starting Pitcher – Justin Verlander

Here’s another total fantasy which if the Genie from “Aladdin” came to life and granted me three wishes, one would be for Al Avila and the big brass to bring back future Hall of Famer and Tigers great Justin Verlander.

How great would it be for this to be the year the Tigers actually shock some people and make a run with JV leading the charge? The answer, to quote a famous tiger in his own right, would be grrrrreat!

He hasn’t pitched since 2020 due to Tommy John surgery, but there’s no doubt he’s got a lot left in the tank. All he needs now is a salmon-colored blazer. That being said, maybe we can get the aforementioned Miguel Cabrera fitted for a salmon blazer as well.

https://twitter.com/btsportwwe/status/1273321633181245442?s=20

Closer – Gregory Soto/Michael Fulmer

The Tigers aren’t going to be in the mix for any of the big-name closers like Kenley Jansen or Craig Kimbrel, and I liked most of what I saw from Soto in the role last season. The big drawback would be that Soto walked far too many hitters (40 BB in 63 2/3 innings), but I think that will improve this year.

I liked Soto splitting the role with teammate Michael Fulmer, but with far more years of control to his name, I say let Soto carry the bulk of saves.

Fulmer is a free agent after this upcoming season, so if they want to have him close more games early in the season to build his trade value if I’d be fine with that as well. If Fulmer is going to be a dominant bullpen arm, I wouldn’t mind thinking about signing him long-term if the team is in a position to do so.

There you have it, folks. My reasonable “dream” lineup for opening day 2022.