3 Tigers prospects who have already been told they won't make the Opening Day roster, 2 who still have a chance

Ty Madden

Madden was told he wasn't going to make the team along with Jobe. Much like Jobe, it's understandable. He spent all of last year in Double-A, and while there were things to like, there were still some issues with consistency.

Madden has the stuff to strike guys out. He struck out over 11 batters per nine last season, which is great for a starter. However, walks were a problem at times, as was the home run ball. But at the end of the day, he's still a former first-round pick, something fans seem to forget about him. He was drafted the same year as Jobe.

The Tigers are likely trying to protect him as well. He was a college arm, so he's a bit more seasoned, but he's still a young, inexperienced pitcher. He'll probably begin this season in Triple-A, so he could get a shot in Detroit this year as well. The Tigers are trying to do what they feel is best for their young starters. They seem to be pretty good at developing pitchers now. Let's give them some credit here.

Jace Jung

Jung was informed around the same time as Madden and Jobe that he won't make the team.Cody Stavenhagen from The Athletic wrote a great article ($$$) about the dynamic between Jung, A.J. Hinch, and new third base and infield coach Joey Cora. In that story, Stavenhagen reported that Hinch told Jung he wouldn't make the team. This was after Cora told Jung to be assertive and got into Hinch's office and tell him he wanted to make the team. We highly recommend you give that article a read if you have a subscription to The Athletic.

It sounds like Jung is a very competitive guy, which is awesome. We love to see prospects with a bit of an edge to them. The 28 homers in the minors last year help back that up. Now, it's time to see if he can successfully make the transition to the hot corner.

It sounds like he's been spending a lot of time with Cora. The two seem to be bonding pretty well, which is a good sign. Hopefully Jung will be here for most of camp so he can spend a lot of time with Cora.

Jung could very well be the future at third base for the Tigers. Like we said with Jobe and Jung, they are going to do what they feel is best for his development. The Scott Harris regime has shown to be pretty conservative with prospect promotions, so we may not see him in Detroit this year, but Jung will likely get the chance to win the third base job in spring next season if all goes to plan.

2 prospcts who still have a shot at making the Opening Day roster: Justice Bigbie

Other than Colt Keith, Bigbie just might be the Tigers prospect that has gotten the most buzz so far in camp. He's taken some awfully good swings already.

Bigbie broke out in the minors last season. He spent most of his time in Double-A, where he hit a whopping .362 with a .985 OPS. He was promoted to Triple-A late in the season. That's where he'll likely begin the season...or is it?

Bigbie's biggest problem offensively was his inability to pull the ball in the air. He could hit the ball hard, but it was mostly the opposite field, granted, he was really good at hitting the ball the other way. But now, we're starting to see him pull the ball with authority.

Defensively, he's still got some work to do, but he's not like Justyn-Henry Malloy, where he's virtually unplayable out there. He's also played some infield in addition to his outfield work, so that could give him a slight edge.

Obviously it's just spring training. But if we keep seeing this, he might just force the issue. It'll likely take an injury. But he's still got a chance here, especially if he keeps taking good swings to the pull side.

Justyn-Henry Malloy

It feels like we've been beating a dead horse with Malloy. We hate to sound like a broken record, but Malloy is going to have to hit his way onto the Opening Day roster. Well, he's off to a good start in that department, smacking a two-run shot the opposite way in Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.

That's it. That right there, is his ticket to this roster. His defense is not going to cut it, no matter where he plays. So he's going to have to hit. That homer is a good sign.

It sounds like A.J. Hinch has spoken to Malloy about being more aggressive at the plate, according to something Dan Dickerson said on the radio during the broadcast of Saturday's game. He has been known for his plate discipline throughout his minor league career, walking at a whopping 18% clip at Triple-A Toledo last year. But Hinch wants him to look for more opportunites to do some damage. That homer was on the first pitch of the at-bat. He went up there and ambushed the opposing pitcher.

Malloy will have to do more of that in order to make the team out of camp. It's going to tough for him, especially after the addition of Gio Urshela. But if he keeps mashing, the Tigers will at least have something to think about.