Detroit Tigers: 3 underperforming players who need to improve to stick around

These players for the Detroit Tigers could be on short leashes

Virtually every hitter for the Detroit Tigers has underperformed this season, including big offseason acquisition Javier Baez. Some of them, like Baez and Jonathan Schoop, will (at least most likely) be back next season as seasoned veterans.

But it feels like some others players’ days dawning the old English D are numbered. They may not be gone sometime during the season, but this season may be their last in Detroit if they don’t step it up.

First, here’s a few honorable mentions:

2B Jonathan Schoop

Schoop has a player option after this season, so he’ll almost certainly be back barring a miraculous turnaround that gives him an opportunity to earn more money elsewhere. This is why he is listed above. He has been swinging the bat better as of late, hitting the ball harder, although the results haven’t always been there.

His defense has been top notch though, as he’s currently the best defensive player in Major League Baseball according to Baseball Savant. That alone is worth keeping him around.

1B Spencer Torkelson

No, the Detroit Tigers aren’t going to send Spencer Torkelson to Triple-A Toledo. There isn’t anything he can learn down there that he can’t learn up here.

Besides, he’s been showing signs of breaking out of his slump as well. He’s been making contact more often and striking out less. He’s always hit the ball hard, and he has a great eye at the plate. The problem is that he’s too patient.

If he can be more aggressive at the plate, and hunt for more fastballs, that would help him out a lot. He just needs to simplify his approach.

RHP Beau Brieske

I think Brieske is probably safe given the amount injuries to the starting rotation, but I also think a little more seasoning in Triple-A would do him some good. He’s got the stuff, he just needs some finetuning.

That does it for the honorable mentions, so without further ado, here are three underperforming Detroit Tigers who need to improve to stick around.