4 overreactions to the Detroit Tigers beatdown in the spring training opener

Overreaction #2: If Andy Ibáñez hits like he did today, he'll be more than a depth player for the Detroit Tigers.

The Detroit Tigers only had a few quality at-bats today, but Andy Ibáñez's two at-bats were both quality. He walked away 1-for-2 on the day but made the most of his swing with a home run. But he took some good at-bats top-to-bottom, and there's something to be said about his approach at the plate.

He destroyed that home run today, being one of the producers in the Detroit Tigers lineup. He got the barrel on it, that's for certain, being able to connect and drive the ball with a 103.9 mph exit velocity. It traveled 403 feet, and Ibáñez was able to be the first Tigers player to round the bases on a big fly this spring.

Ibáñez was excellent in his role with the Tigers in 2023, but there's room for him to be more for this team moving forward. He was more than the Tigers were asking him to be, and that's okay, but he's looked this spring like he wants to be more for Detroit. He will keep pushing to be a more significant piece of the Tigers roster.

Ibáñez played in 114 games for the Tigers last year. He moved about the field, playing wherever the Tigers needed him to, plugging holes, and looking the part in the process. He slashed .264/.312/.433 with 23 doubles, two triples, and 11 home runs while driving in 43 runs. He walked 24 times and struck out 69 times over 356 at-bats.

He was exactly what the Tigers needed him to be, and maybe a little more. For Ibáñez, he's looking to hold down a spot in 2024, and that's going to come by producing a loud spring, and he seems to be on a mission to make that happen.