Tigers player gets returned to organization after clearing waivers post-DFA

From Rule 5 Draft success story in 2021 to being designated for assignment in 2024, the Akil Baddoo saga continues for the Detroit Tigers, who have been making small tweaks so far throughout the offseason.

Just over a week after DFA'ing him, the Tigers announced that the outfielder has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Toledo. Baddoo, who was DFA'd December 10 to make room on the 40-man roster for newly-signed starting pitcher Alex Cobb, is expected to earn an invite to big league Spring Training in February.

The lefty-swinging outfielder impressed in his debut season with the Tigers in 2021, when he slashed .259/.330/.436 with 13 homers across 461 plate appearances, but he struggled to maintain that level of production over the following three seasons. After he recorded a .212/.302/.331 slash line in 178 Major League games between 2022-23, the Tigers kept Baddoo on optional assignment for the majority of the 2024 campaign.

Tigers' Akil Baddoo clears waivers, outrighted to Triple-A Toledo to begin 2025

Baddoo is the fifth player the Tigers have brought back on a minor-league deal after designating them for assignment this offseason, joining pitchers Ricky Vanasco and Wilmer Flores as well as infielders Eddys Leonard and Bligh Madris.

Unless he puts on a mind-blowing performance at Spring Training, Baddoo will likely begin the 2025 season in Toledo. If his bat can carry him back to his 2021 form (and that's a big if), it's possible he could compete for a Major League outfield spot alongside the likes of Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling.

Baddoo appeared in just 37 MLB games last season for the Tigers, slashing .137/.220/.301 while striking out at an alarmingly high 32.9% clip. While the 2024 campaign was easily the worst of his career, Baddoo has posted a respectable .802 OPS in 123 games for Triple-A Toledo dating back to the 2022 season. Clearly, the Tigers see enough potential to keep him around for another season.

Still, barring a major, unexpected development in his game next season, Baddoo profiles as the consummate 4A player who remains in Major League limbo at best, and a career minor league journeyman at worst.

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