Predicting the Detroit Tigers 2022 Opening Day Roster 1.5

Detroit Tigers Catchers: Tucker Barnhart, Eric Haase and Dustin Garneau (7/28)

Tucker Barnhart will undoubtedly be our lead backstop after bringing him in this offseason via trade. Barnhart provides a significant veteran presence behind the dish for our young pitchers. He’s a two-time gold glove award winner and ranks in the 79th percentile in framing, according to BaseballSavant.com.

Eric Haase will be the secondary catcher for us. Haase gives our lineup extra power and versatility. Haase played LF in 168.2 innings for the Tigers last year, and I’m sure A.J. Hinch will play him there again. Dustin Garneau is the third and final catcher that I predict will be on the opening day roster. Garneau doesn’t offer much to the tigers aside from his veteran presence.

The only times I could see Garneau getting the start against left-handed pitchers, where Haase would start in LF. Both Haase and Garneau hit better against lefties than righties.

First base: Miguel Cabrera and Spencer Torkelson (9/28)

Miguel Cabrera will probably be the opening day starter at first base. Cabrera is only 13 hits away from collecting 3,000 hits, a very impressive feat. During this period, where Cabrera is still on his quest for 3,000 hits, the Tigers will ease former #1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson into the lineup. Torkelson is yet to face MLB pitching, so this one-month period of him not consistently getting the start could prove to be beneficial for the young slugger.