Predicting the Detroit Tigers 2022 Opening Day Roster 1.5

The Detroit Tigers are less than two weeks away from Opening Day against the White Sox, and players’ roles are becoming more solidified.

The Detroit Tigers need to cut down the roster to just 28 players and have been making changes throughout spring training. Most recently, the Tigers optioned LHP Miguel Del Pozo and infielders Kody Clemens and Zack Short to AAA Toledo, leaving 46 players in Major League Camp. In addition, the Tigers recently agreed to terms for the upcoming 2022 season with all of their pre-arbitration eligible players, including some big names like Jeimer Candelario, Michael Fulmer, and Harold Castro.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch still has some time to figure out who will make the Opening Day roster, but the answer is becoming more evident as spring training continues. In today’s article, I will predict the opening day roster for our Detroit Tigers, starting with the rotation.

Detroit Tigers Starting Pitchers: Eduardo Rodriguez, Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, Matt Manning, and Tyler Alexander. (5/28)

Last month, the Detroit Tigers still had to address who would fill out the final spot in the rotation. They solved this problem by signing former All-Star Michael Pineda.

However, it is unlikely that Pineda will be prepared to pitch at the beginning of the season, which allows Tyler Alexander to take that fifth slot for the time being. As a result, Eduardo Rodriguez will occupy the first slot, and the Tigers’ young core of Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, and Matt Manning will take the three middle spots.

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.

Detroit Tigers Outfield:  LF Akil Baddoo (14/28)

The former Rule 5 draft pick Akil Baddoo came out of nowhere last year and emerged as a potential cornerstone in the rebuild. Baddoo has a good combination of contact and power, but his fielding is his biggest weakness. His arm isn’t very strong, which will limit him to just playing left field this season. It will be interesting to see how Baddoo plays in his sophomore campaign with the Tigers.

As I mentioned earlier, Eric Haase can also play in left field, as he did last year a decent amount.

Centerfield: Riley Greene and Derek Hill (16/28)

For the Tigers, centerfield is the most inexperienced position for the Tigers. Hill has played in just under 65 major league games and had his 2021 season cut short by injury. On the other hand, Greene has no MLB experience. Derek Hill was known for his blazing speed and defense in the minors. Surprisingly, in the majors, Hill had a good offensive season and slashed .259/.313/.388. Riley Greene is a star prospect in the Tiger’s farm system. Greene ranks as the fifth-best prospect on the MLB Pipeline and is looking to help the Tigers offensively and defensively this season.

Rightfield: Robbie Grossman and Victor Reyes (18/28)

Robbie Grossman will be the lead right fielder for the Tigers. Grossman was one of the most underrated outfielders in the MLB last year and is precisely the kind of guy you want in a young lineup. Grossman brings a veteran presence at the beginning of the lineup and gets on base efficiently. Victor Reyes can play in all outfield parts but mainly plays right field. Reyes doesn’t offer much and will make the opening day roster for extra outfield depth and versatility.

Utility: Harold Castro and Willi Castro (20/28)

This season, the Castros (no relation) will most likely be utility players for the Tigers. Despite Willi’s struggles since the 2020 season, the Tigers have continued to play him, and I would expect that to continue. Harold, on the other hand, has been remarkably consistent. Harold has a career .291 batting average. He doesn’t walk much or hit for extra bases, but his ability to put the bat to the ball and hit in the gap puts him on this roster. Defensively, Harold can play all around the outfield and second base, while Willi would most likely play in the corner outfield and shortstop.

Bullpen pitchers: Andrew Chafin, Jose Cisnero, Alex Lange, Jason Foley, Rony García, Joe Jimenez, Gregory Soto, and Michael Fulmer. (28/28)

To conclude my prediction, here is the bullpen. Chafin, Cisnero, Lange, Soto, and Fulmer should all be on the MLB roster the entire season, barring injuries, leaving Rony García, Jason Foley, and Joe Jimenez. I would not guarantee Foley and Jimenez will be on the MLB roster even in a month. The Tigers will have to make room for Kyle Funkhouser, who is injured, and when Michael Pineda joins the rotation, which presumably will move Tyler Alexander back to the bullpen.