Projecting best possible Tigers starting lineup after Max Clark promotion

The Tigers’ No. 1 prospect Max Clark is expected to make his MLB debut on Friday during Detroit’s opener against the Athletics. The move (yet to be made official) comes on the heels of an injury for Matt Vierling during the Tigers’ eventual 10-9 loss to the Orioles, and under the dark cloud of a potential Tarik Skubal trade.

It signals Detroit still expects to compete in 2026, even if the trade deadline does away with both Skubal and Casey Mize. There’s little other explanation for their willingness to burn Clark’s rookie eligibility in 2027 just two weeks before the rookie cutoff date.

A 40-man roster move will have to be made, but Tigers fans are so excited to see Clark in action that it’s hard to get too caught up with who might be getting the boot (though our money’s on James Outman). The real question is how he’ll slot into AJ Hinch’s always unpredictable lineups and defensive picture.

Detroit is set to face A’s lefty Jeffrey Springs, so the lineup and defense might look something like this:

1. Gleyber Torres (R, 2B)
2. Kevin McGonigle (L, 3B)
3. Dillon Dingler (L, C)
4. Hao-Yu Lee (R, DH)
5. Riley Greene (L, LF)
6. Spencer Torkelson (R, 1B)
7. Max Clark (L, CF)
8. Ben Malgeri (R, RF)
9. Javier Baez (R, SS)

Where will Max Clark slot into the Tigers’ lineup for his major league debut against the Athletics?

Clark, much like his close friend Kevin McGonigle, is a reliable on-base presence and very well might work his way up the order quickly depending on how he performs during this series. For now, Hinch seems likely to play it safe and give Clark his first reps toward the bottom of the order.

His arrival muddies the Tigers’ usual defensive preferences a bit. They were giving him some reps in the outfield corners during spring training, but he’s never played outside of that position in his minor league career, so it’s best if the Tigers don't mess around early.

Baez, who took to center field easily but has never played the outfield corners, will have to move back to the infield to accommodate Clark. Hinch has preferred to put Baez at shortstop when he’s in the infield, so McGonigle will shift to third. The eighth spot and right field could end up going to Zach McKinstry, but he’s hitting .128 with a .404 OPS against lefties this season.

A couple of key Tigers hitters have been less effective at the plate as of late — namely Dingler and Greene — but this lineup looks a lot more like one Detroit can actually win with than when Outman, McKinstry, and Vierling are in the outfield and constantly making easy outs.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow