Detroit Tigers set to promote prospect Andre Lipcius

Detroit Tigers set to promote Andre Lipcius.

In 2019, the Detroit Tigers selected infield prospect Andre Lipcius with their third-round draft pick. He was fresh off of a big season with the Tennessee Volunteers program. The Tigers took a chance on Lipcius with the hopes of adding him to the team's future infield.

Four years later, the Detroit Tigers announced that it is time for Andre Lipcius to make his big league debut. The Tigers announced that Lipcius will be called up for Friday's game, making his first appearance of his MLB career.

Lipcius is a corner infielder and second baseman who has moved all around the infield besides shortstop but likely will slot in as a third baseman for Detroit. He was introduced via the Tigers' Twitter account as an infielder/outfielder, so some time patrolling the grass could be in the mix.

Lipcius had spent the 2023 season with 96 games played at the Triple-A level as part of the Toledo Mud Hens organization. He accumulated 416 plate appearances, where he slashed .272/.363/.419 with 16 doubles, two triples, and 11 home runs—he also had 56 RBI to his credit, with 52 walks and 74 strikeouts.

As the Tigers take on the White Sox in Chicago, Lipcius will be heading there to make his debut after being promoted. The 25-year-old infielder has plenty to offer. He may not be the next great third baseman or have the long-term upside of someone like Colt Keith.

But Lipcius is someone the Tigers feel will play a role with the Tigers organization, even if it is a fringy infield and right-handed bat who can be called upon at times. Before the season started, I noted that Lipcius might be likely to earn a call-up before Justyn-Henry Malloy, who many are also excited about.

It's also understandable that the Tigers opted to give Lipcius a chance first, being that he is on the 40-man roster. That way, he could be called up without a corresponding move needed to create space on the 40-man.

Either way, Lipcius would deserve a chance at some point, and it will be interesting to see how he fares in his debut and first chances with the Tigers. With the Mud Hens, Lipcius played a majority of his games at first base with 31 games. He's played 29 games at second, 17 at third, and 14 in the outfield.

He's not known for his outfield play, but after being announced as an infield/outfield prospect by the Tigers, it makes me feel that the Tigers will try some things out and move Lipcius around as needed.

Congratulations to Andre Lipcius as he gets set for his major league debut as part of the Detroit Tigers organization.