2021 Roster Review: Detroit Tigers
77-85 (4th in Division; 20th in MLB)
SP Wins: 35 (24th)
RP Wins: 42 (9th)
Saves: 42 (12th)
1+ Save: 8 (Gregory Soto 18, Michael Fulmer 14, José Cisnero 4, Bryan Garcia 2, Kyle Funkhouser, Joe Jimenez, Daniel Norris, & Alex Lange 1)
100+ Ks: 2 (Tarik Skubal 164, Casey Mize 118)
.260+ AVG (min. 350 PA): 2 (Jonathan Schoop .278, Jeimer Candelario .271)
65+ Runs: 3 (Robbie Grossman 88, Schoop 85, Candelario 75)
65+ RBI: 4 (Schoop 84, Miguel Cabrera 75, Grossman & Candelario 67)
10+ HRs: 6 (Grossman 23, Schoop & Eric Haase 22, Candelario 16, Cabrera 15, Akil Baddoo 13)
5+ SBs: 7 (Grossman 20, Baddoo 18, Niko Goodrum 14, Willi Castro 9, Daz Cameron & Derek Hill 6, Victor Reyes 5)
BEST BUY: Jonathan Schoop
Schoop had a career year in 2017 when he hit 32 HR with 105 RBI and a .293 AVG and while he will likely never reach that high watermark again, he is a firm bet for 22-25 HR with 75-80 RBI and a .255-.270 AVG. He is also dual eligible for 2022, adding 1B to his normal 2B. If you play H2H or DFS, there is always a Schoopening or two every year when he is white-hot and pitchers just can’t get him out.
ON THE RISE: Akil Baddoo
The 22-year-old Rule 5 pickup from Minnesota had a 13 HR/18 SB season in 124 games. His season trajectory was particularly notable. In April, he had a 44% K% and 3% BB% so his fast start felt flimsy. He changed his approach in-season and had a 24% K% and 11% BB% from May 1st on, yielding a solid .756 OPS in the process. His next step is to improve against lefties (.523 OPS), but even as a strong side platoon bat, he has the skills to go 20/20 next season.
OFF THE RADAR: Derek Hill
Hill was a 2014 1st rounder for the Tigers (23rd overall), but never really broke into Top 100 prospect lists. Defense and speed carry his profile, but there isn’t much in the way of hitting skills outside of some untapped power potential. For fantasy purposes, the glove can secure playing time and give him a chance to let that top level speed flourish even if the pop remains absent. There is a point where the speed isn’t worth it, but the .259 AVG and 92 wRC+ we saw in 2021 would be worth rostering for 20+ SBs.
HOT TAKE: Matt Manning rebounds with a 3.80 ERA/1.20 WHIP and 170 strikeouts in 150 IP.
Manning had a disastrous debut, posting a 5.80 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 85 IP and that will no doubt take him off the radar for many fantasy managers, but I’ll gladly take the late round/$1 gamble. He wasn’t even all that great in Triple-A, either, with an 8.07 ERA/1.55 WHIP, but that at least came with a 18% K-BB compared to his 6% MLB mark. He had a sterling track record prior to 2021 and I’m willing to bet that he can rebound and get back to fulfilling his prospect pedigree.
ICYMI: Robbie Grossman went 20/20! I was back to watching my Tigers almost daily this year and I missed that he was this good. I just didn’t realize he hit that many homers (23).
Haase is Justin’s 3rd ranked for AL catchers!
Yep, and given that he probably went mostly undrafted, I’d put Haase as a better buy than Schoop.
Grossman also had an 0.357 OBP that made him a legit top-25 OF in leagues that score it.
Haase’s outfield innings and starts leg him above others. I wonder if he slides if he loses OF innings out to Greene? And the Tigers just brought in Tucker Barnhart. Somehow…I’m no longer up on Haase. I guess the questions are as followed. Is his offense buy him the starting gig with a 60/40 split (as a lefty platoon)? Does he improve his defense to get the role? Does he get enough games in the outfield with Baddoo and Greene? Steamer doesn’t think so.
It’s a Best Buy for ‘22, not ‘21
truly hilarious
I don’t agree with that, tbh. I think he was a flash in the pan with those plate skills. And I don’t know that he will get those supplemental PA elsewhere besides C to keep his counting numbers up
And now Barnhart is in Detroit.
Not as bright as before and less likely, but there is something to his bat I won’t decline. Haase’s production buoyed from roughly 80 plate appearances when he played as an outfielder. He jacked 9 home runs in those games. Very small sample. But interesting that there’s potential to find success as a corner outfielder.
Although not likely as there are plenty of guys vying for time, a platoon with Baddoo in LF, avoiding extra distractions of catching, could boost Haase enough to fill a second catcher slot quite well. However, right now I have to agree that Haase is a little high.