Former top-10 pick among latest round of Tigers spring training roster cuts

Thursday morning marked what is likely to be the penutlimate round of Tigers spring training roster cuts. There weren't many surprises this time around, but there is one player who had a strong showing who is headed to Toledo.

Former top-10 MLB draft pick Keston Hiura was among the six players who were cut from Tigers camp today. As we are now just one week away from Opening Day, there are now just 34 players remaining in camp.

The others cuts were as follows: RHP Trey Wingenter, LHP Andrew Vasquez, C Anthony Bemboom, and OFs Bligh Madris and Ryan Vilade.

Hiura had a pretty nice camp. He slashed .269/.310/.615 with a .926 OPS and two home runs, including this grand slam, in 29 plate appearances this spring. That slashline lives up to his profile of a low-contact, high-strikeout, but also high-power kind of hitter.

Hiura is still just 27 years old. He was signed to a minor league deal right after spring training began. He should serve as nice depth in Toledo, especially at first base, where the Tigers have virtually nothing behind Spencer Torkelson.

Speaking of nice depth, Bligh Madris had an outstanding spring. He hit .368 with a 1.275 OPS and two bombs in 26 plate appearances. He also walked as much as he struck out (five apiece). He's not a bad option in Toledo either, though he's probably lower in the pecking order since the Tigers have some decent outfield depth.

The rest of these aren't all that surprising. Wingenter and Vasquez had outside shots at making the team in the bullpen, but it was going to be tough, especially considering the competition there this spring.

There's a good chance we see a few of these at some point this season. Injuries are always going to be a thing. Depth is a good thing to have, and it's something the Tigers haven't had in a long time. Opening Day is just around the corner, folks. We're at the home stretch