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Detroit Tigers: 3 players who showed up to spring training in great shape

By Matthew Scheidel |
Detroit Tigers infielder Jonathan Schoop worked out for the first time during spring training
Detroit Tigers infielder Jonathan Schoop worked out for the first time during spring training / Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Some Detroit Tigers players have showed up to spring training looking jacked

Spring training is underway from Lakeland. The first full-squad workout was held yesterday, and the Detroit Tigers put some work in for the time in 2023.

Several players showed up to spring training in really good shape. I know it's trivial and kind of a meme to talk about players showing up to spring training in the "best shape of their lives," but there are some noticable differences in the apperances of some players on this roster.

Some players lost a considerable amount of weight, and some players came in bulked up. Either way, the Detroit Tigers have some players looking pretty good early in spring training.

With that out of the way, here are three players that arrived to spring training in great shape.

Jonathan Schoop

Schoop is probably the one that's gotten the most buzz. He lost a significant amount of weight, and you can tell. He doesn't know the exact number, but it's very noticable and he looks great.

This is nice to see, especially after the season he had last year. He was statistically the worst hitter in the league and looked like he was cooked at the plate. But defensively, he was elite. Now that he's lost some weight, he could be even better in the field, as he should be a bit more agile and have a little more range.

I've already seen some people say "oh, it's a contract year, of course he's going to show up in shape," and that's just a lazy take to me. He was horrible offensively last year, and he's trying to do everything he can to rectify that.

This could be his last chance to prove that he can be an everyday big leaguer. He's 31 years old. If he continues to struggle out of the gate this season, he could be off the team. I don't think Scott Harris will have any problem eating the rest of the $7.5 million he's owed this season.

Schoop knows that. He knows he's running out of chances. He's clearly put in the effort to get in shape. Now, let's see if that translates to any success on the field.

Austin Meadows

It was a rough season for Meadows last season. His first year in Detroit was marred by injuries, illness, and mental health struggles. A season like that would take a lot out of anybody. However, it looks like he's put that at all behind him.

From all acounts, Meadows has shown up to spring training this year looking pretty jacked. He said he gained weight last season from not playing, and has gotten back in shape ahead of the 2023 season. It looks like he's all smiles too, which is even better to see.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Austin Meadows walks to batting practice during spring training Sunday,
Detroit Tigers outfielder Austin Meadows walks to batting practice during spring training Sunday, / Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

It's very nice to see that Meadows looks happy and healthy. It's really cool to see after the nightmare that was last season. I've said this before, but he has a chance of being the best hitter on the team.

A healthy Austin Meadows is going to be huge for this team. He gives them a quality major league hitter they so desparately need.

Michael Lorenzen

One of the newest Tigers, Lorenzen signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers this offseason. He was one of the first Tigers that we saw photos of at spring training, and let me tell you, this dude is yolked.

Now, if you've followed Lorenzen throughout his career, you know he's a pretty good athlete. He was once a bit of a two-way player with the Cincinnati Reds. He pitched of out the bullpen for them, and could also hit very well. In 2018, he had an OPS over 1.000 with four home runs in 34 plate appearances. Three of those home runs came in the span of one week.

Lorenzen even said recently that he'd like to hit for the Tigers, but A.J. Hinch put the kabosh on that idea. He wants him to focus on pitching.

As cool as it would be to see Lorenzen gets some ABs, I'm with Hinch in this one. Lorenzen looked like he figured something out with the Angels. He had a 2.36 ERA and struck out 30 in 26.1 IP in his last five starts last year. I'm sure they feel like Chris Fetter can get the best out of him.

He has plenty of upside and could easily be a trade chip at the deadline if he pitches well. That fact that he's in great shape is just a bonus.

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