3 former Tigers who had awful spring training performances, 2 who dominated

​As spring training winds down with Opening Day in less than 48 hours, it's natural to look ahead and predict the upcoming season. However, it's just as natural (and maybe healthy) to reflect on the past, too. Detroit Tigers fans know all about that. After all, understanding where you've been, helps you see where you're going.

Don't judge, my five-year-old would love me paraphrasing Disney's Moana.

Anyway, let's see how some former Tigers performed during this year's Spring Training, with mixed results. We'll start with the troubling developments first.

3 former Tigers who had awful spring training performances

Nick Castellanos - Philadelphia Phillies

Perhaps someone should tell him that his spring offensive production is the daily tragedy, maybe he'll start hitting for more power. In 40 at-bats, Castellanos boasts a putrid .150 batting average, a .527 OPS, and 14 strikeouts. Not great for a guy who has had his ups and downs in recent seasons.

Tyler Alexander - Milwaukee Brewers

Fluctuating as a reliever and starter during his time with Detroit and Tampa Bay, Alexander is looking to fulfill the same role with the Brewers. However, his spring hasn't gone to plan as he holds an 11.88 ERA and 2.64 WHIP across 8 1/3 innings pitched. Additionally, Alexander has given up six walks and only struck out six in his appearances.

Isaac Paredes - Houston Astros

Everyone in Detroit remembers Paredes as the young slugger that was traded for Austin Meadows (thanks Al Avila). Since the trade, Paredes has posted home run totals of 20 (2022), 31 (2023), and 19 (2024) for the Rays and Cubs.

However, the spring hasn't been kind to Paredes. He's posted a .188 batting average with one home run across 32 at-bats. Extra-base power? Non-existent, with one double. The writing is on the wall though: he's registered nine walks, which might show he's becoming more patient.

2 former Tigers who have dominated spring training in 2025

Robbie Ray - San Francisco Giants

Not many remember Robbie Ray as a Detroit Tiger, having started in six games way back in 2014, but many Tiger fans wish Ray was still donning the Olde English D. He's been nothing but a solid pitcher for his entire career, of course, winning the Cy Young Award in 2021. Injuries have slowed him in recent seasons, though.

This spring, Ray is 3-0 across 19 1/3 innings pitched and holds a 1.86 ERA and a 0.62 WHIP. Maybe the Giants have found the Robbie Ray of old?

Eugenio Suarez - Arizona Diamondbacks

Much like Ray, Tiger fans wish Dave Dombrowski never traded Suarez away. Do we think Alfredo Simon was worth it, Tiger fans?

Suarez has had an amazing spring and the Diamondbacks have to be pleased. Suarez holds a .964 OPS with 3 home runs, 5 doubles, and 10 walks in 49 at-bats; not to mention his 18 RBI, which are second behind Seattle's Julio Rodriguez with 20.

With Detroit having a difficult time over the years in filling the black hole at third base, Suarez's production over the years, coupled with the fact he's seemingly poised for another solid season in 2025, has Tigers fans even more insecure about their current third base situation.