FanSided

2 Detroit Tigers players who hurt their cause in the WBC and 1 who helped it

By Matthew Scheidel |
World Baseball Classic Pool A: Panama v Netherlands
World Baseball Classic Pool A: Panama v Netherlands / BSR Agency/GettyImages
1 of 3
Next

Detroit Tigers players had mixed results in the World Baseball Classic

The World Baseball Classic is coming to an end. Team USA takes on Team Japan in the championship game tonight. It's been a really fun tournament, despite what the naysayers think. The Detroit Tigers had several players compete in the event, and the results were mixed.

INF Jonathan Schoop played for Team Netherlands, SS Javier Baez played for Team Puerto Rico, INF Andy Ibanez competed for Team Cuba, SP Eduardo Rodriguez and DH Miguel Cabrera played for Team Venezuela, and there were a few minor leaguers that played in the tournament as well. Nobody really lit the world on fire, but there were a couple of players that didn't do themselves any favors.

We'll start with those, but then we'll get into player that helped himself a bit. Let's start with the player that I'm sure most Detroit Tigers' fans are here for.

Two players who hurt their cause: INF Jonathan Schoop

Schoop did not have a good performance for Team Netherlands. He went 1-for-13 with one walk and six strikeouts as the Dutch were eliminated in pool play. Everyone was hoping that representing his country would ignite him at the plate, but it was sadly just more of the same from someone who really needs to get off to a good start in 2023.

It wasn't that long ago where you could make an argument that Jonathan Schoop was the best hitter on the Detroit Tigers. He provided a good amount of power at a position where power can be hard to come by. He also produced high exit velocities, ranking in the 98th percentile in max exit velocity in 2021 per Baseball Savant.

But we all know what happened in 2022 following an extension late in the 2021 season. He was quite literally the worst qualified hitter in baseball by wRC+. He looked completely lost at the plate most of the year. The thump in his bat was gone.

Now if you combine his WBC performance with his spring training performance, he's just 3-for-27 with 10 strikeouts and two walks. That's not what you want to see.

He needs to figure it out quick, because this regime is not the same one that gave him a 2-year extension. Scott Harris has no commitment to him outside of the $7.5 million he's owed this season. Even then, Schoop is likely on a short leash this season.

If he hasn't figured it out by Memorial Day, I think he's gone. The Detroit Tigers have plenty of younger, more intriguing players that could use his ABs.

INF Andy Ibanez

For Andy Ibanez, it's not what he did do, it's what he didn't do, and that's play. He sprained his left finger during a workout before Team Cuba even played a game in the WBC, and he didn't play for them until the semifinals. Thankfully, he seems healthy now, but the reason it hurt him is because he's playing for a spot on the Detroit Tigers roster.

We are about a week away from the final Opening Day roster being set, and the Tigers don't have a ton of evaluation done on this guy. They can't even look at his performance in the WBC because he barely played. That puts both him and the Tigers in a tricky spot, especially since his competition hasn't done much to separate themselves.

Right now, if we're going solely off spring performance, the best option to be the backup utility infielder is probably Zack Short. Cesar Hernandez is probably a lock to be the backup infielder, and will likely start some games, but no one else has taken that next step to be the utility guy. That's something Tigers fans probably don't want to hear. Heck, I really don't like typing it. But that's where we're at.

Maybe Ibanez lights it up during the last week of camp. That would certainly be nice. I still think the Tigers like Ibanez and I expect him to make the team, but the injury did him no favors.

One player who helped their cause: SS Javier Baez

If there's one place you can expect Javier Baez to perform, it's playing for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, and that was the case once again in 2023. In 19 at-bats, Baez hit .368 with one homer, three doubles and an OPS of 1.052.

He also played some pretty good defense. He played second base for Team PR with Francisco Lindor playing shortstop, but he made some nice plays. He also made a nice play at shortstop for the Tigers in yesterday's spring training game against the Blue Jays.

His spring training performance at the plate for the Tigers has been less than ideal. In 22 at-bats, he's hitting just .136 and has just three hits. He has yet to draw a walk. He didn't draw a walk in the WBC either, so that means he hasn't walked in 41 combined at-bats this spring. I know it's spring training and not walking is just part of Javy's game, but come on, man.

Regardless of my frustration with his plate approach, it was nice to see him perform well in the WBC. You can tell he really enjoys himself when he plays in that tournament.

Baez needs to have a good season in 2023 for a couple of reasons. He needs to prove that last year was just a fluke. His second half was a decent indication that it was. But perhaps more importantly, he has an opt-out in his contract after this season. Part of me thinks he stays unless he has a 6-WAR season or higher, but it would be wise for him to not have a repeat of last season if wants one last pay day.

Next. 3 surprise players who’ve dominated at Tigers spring training. dark

Next
Home / Detroit Tigers News

Schedule