Predicting the Detroit Tigers 2022 Opening Day Roster 1.5

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.