Detroit Tigers: 3 players who have stepped up in 2022 but are best suited for a part-time role

OF Victor Reyes

Reyes showed some promise both in spring training and at the beginning of the season. It looked as though the former Rule 5 pick had finally learned the concept of launch angle, hitting more flyballs and hitting them hard as well.

Two quad injuries later, and he’s looking like the same old Victor Reyes again, slashing .278/.297/.347 and has yet to hit a home run in 22 games. He’s still very much the slap hitter he’s always been. He has just four extra-base hits on the year.

Still, some of his underlying numbers suggest that better results may be coming soon. He has career highs in hard hit rate (50%), average exit velocity (91.3 mph), sweet spot % (46.6 %), and average launch angle (12 degrees). He has an expected slugging percentage of .533.

The quad injuries have really put a damper on Reyes’ 2022 campaign. We could have a much better idea of the kind of hitter he is this year if hadn’t have gotten injured…twice. But as it stands, it looks like he’s the same guy.

The Detroit Tigers have enough singles hitters as it is. Reyes has always been a fine fourth outfielder anyway, but with the arrival of Riley Greene and the return of Austin Meadows on the horizon, Reyes should remain in that fourth outfielder role.