Predicting the Detroit Tigers 2022 Opening Day Roster 1.5

Detroit Tigers second basemen: Jonathan Schoop and Isaac Paredes (11/28)

Jonathan Schoop comes into the 2022 season as the everyday second baseman following a career year for Schoop, in which he earned a two-year extension mid-season. I also expect Isaac Paredes to make the opening day roster. Paredes has been with the Tigers since 2017 and has never been given a full opportunity to play at the major league level. He has terrific plate vision and contact but lacks power. Paredes is naturally a third baseman, but he got more reps at second than third last year, but he can play anywhere in the infield aside from first base.

Third base: Jeimer Candelario (12/28)

Like Schoop, Jeimer Candelario had a career year last year in Detroit, earning him the starting job at third base. Offensively, Jeimer was hitting on all cylinders last year. Jeimer slashed .271/.351/.443 and had a 119 WRC+ according to fangraphs.com. Jeimer has had a slow start to spring training, but I expect Jeimer to continue his outstanding play.

Shortstop: Javier Báez (13/28)

The Tigers will put newly acquired Javier Baez to work this year. Baez has consistently played in spring training and will be an x-factor for us this year. Baez is one of the most volatile players in baseball, but I think his hot end to the 2021 season will carry into the 2022 season. In 47 games with the Mets, Baez had a 143 wRC+ and cut down on the strikeouts. In 2022 with the Cubs, Baez struck out 36.3% of the time, and with the Mets only 28.5% of the time. Regardless, striking out 28.5% of the time is not good, and Baez will never have good strikeout numbers, but it shows slight signs of improvement.