Parker Meadows announces his return to Tigers in a big way

After making his big league debut last fall for the Tigers and finding a bit of well-timed success, expectations were probably a little too high for Parker Meadows entering what was expected to be his first full season with the Tigers.

Even lesser expectations would have been sorely let down. In 32 games for the Tigers to start the season, Meadows battted just .096 with a .224 OBP and .219 slugging. He hit two home runs, a double, and a triple in 85 plate appearances and didn't do much else, which resulted in a one-way ticket south to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens in early May.

That was then. This is now.

Meadows embraced his trip to Ohio, batting .298 with .394 OBP and .511 slugging through 221 plate appearances. He hit eight home runs, 10 doubles and three triples. With fellow outfielder Akil Baddoo batting just .132 for Detroit, it was time to see what Meadows could do with his second chance.

It didn't take long to find out. In his first plate appearance back with the Tigers, Meadows led off the third inning with a 410-foot home run to right field to give the Tigers a lead they'd never relinquish against the Reds. The Tigers won 5-4 on Friday.

Parker Meadows hits majestic 410-foot home run in Tigers return

“He went and attacked everything,” manager A.J. Hinch said of Meadows (via MLB.com). “Routine adjustments and swing adjustments that got him into more pitches. Given that we’re facing a ton of right-handed pitching now until the break, felt like a good time to give him a run.”

The Tigers need Meadows to hit as they're one of the poorest run-scoring teams in MLB at just 4.10 runs per game. They've also been shut out nine times already. June's performance was even worse. Detroit scored just 3.63 R/G and was shut out four times.

Things have been a little better in July. Detroit has scored 20 runs in four games, including a nine-run outburst vs. the Twins. It's been entirely led by young players. Riley Greene was a triple shy of the cycle on Friday and a double shy on Wednesday. Also on Friday, rookie second baseman Colt Keith had a pair of home runs.

If Meadows can keep hitting, maybe the Tigers can start to get back on track.