Justyn-Henry Malloy must make this crucial improvement to avoid Tigers Quad-A fate

The Tigers typically love their homegrown guys, but there are a couple that they don't seem fully sold on. Jace Jung once looked like he could be Detroit's everyday third baseman, but he started the season in the minors and was recalled for just three weeks before being sent down again. He hasn't come back since May 14.

Somewhat similarly, Justyn-Henry Malloy has gotten a couple more opportunities since he failed to make the Opening Day roster, but he hasn't been back since July 4.

Malloy seemed like an obvious call-up when Matt Vierling hit the IL for the fourth time this season, most recently on Aug. 10. Instead, the Tigers turned to Trey Sweeney for his second time back up since being demoted in late June.

Cody Stavenhagen of the Athletic explained, "It seems the Tigers preferred to play Báez more in center field and thus wanted to bring up Sweeney as an option at shortstop. Malloy would give the Tigers an extra right-handed bench bat, which has proven helpful at times this year. But it also seems the team's lack of faith in his defense is hurting him. Other players like him get stuck in so-called Four-A status because they're glorified DHs."

"I still love Malloy's offensive profile, but it's worth noting the Tigers need him to be a power hitter. As good as he's been in Toledo (.915 OPS), he also has only five home runs."

Tigers insider explains Detroit's apparent lack of faith in rookie Justyn-Henry Malloy

The Tigers did try Malloy out at first base for a spell in spring training, before Spencer Torkelson came back with a vengeance to reestablish that the position belongs to him. When he was in the majors, Malloy was mostly used as a DH and infrequently as a right fielder.

Last season, he graded out with a -4 OAA in left field and an exactly league-average arm. This year, he has a 0 OAA at left and right. If his defense were to improve, he'd be a perfect righty platoon bat with Kerry Carpenter, who the Tigers refuse to play against lefties. Carpenter's defense is nothing to write home about either, but his power is undeniable. If Malloy's not delivering on the latter front either, then the Tigers' hesitance to play him makes sense.

Sweeney hasn't fared much better on carousel duty, neither offensively nor defensively, but the Tigers' outfield is far more crowded than their infield. Unless Malloy makes an adjustment to start channeling his power into more homers, he's going to have to get better on defense to compete.