On this holiday, we welcome readers to share their thoughts about the Tigers or baseball in general. Your observations, comments and questions. Extra credit to those who create topics or questions that generate thoughtful dialog threads.
For this day only, a maximum of 6 sentences please.
Oh, and make sure to tell your mom, wife or significant other how much you care today. We love those words more than we love buying really nice shoes….
Don’t see your comment? Comments are limited to a maximum of 6 sentences. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the pagein order for your comments to be published.
The Detroit Tigers debuted their new City Connect uniforms last night.
One of the biggest differences is the hat. While still navy blue with white lettering, the Olde English D is nowhere to be found. Instead, “Detroit” in a more modern font can be seen.
See this tweet to look at it more closely. (Click on the link.)
What are the chances that you would wear this hat?
Is it a nice change from the old traditional hat that you may want to mix it up a bit? Would you keep both hats in your rotation?
Is change a good thing?
Or is it sacrilege to wear the new hat?
Make sure to come back and check the final results!
Don’t see your comment? Comments are limited to a maximum of 3 sentences and must address the day’s topic. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the pagein order for your comments to be published.
FINAL RESULTS FROM AN APRIL TOTALLY TIGERS POLL:
How surprised are you about the Tigers’ April win-loss record?
I thought their record could go either way. 69%
I always thought they’d start the season above .500. 24%
Happy Mother’s Day! (Yes, those of us with children are starting the celebration early…)
It is usually on this day that I’ve written my yearly momager blog. The one that pointed out how moms were so much better equipped to ensure the smooth running of this team back in the days of Ron Gardenhire and Brad Ausmus.
But on a positive note, I can now say that the adults are finally in charge so I retired that blog. It had a good long run.
But if you think I’m not going to talk about moms on this holiday weekend, you are sadly mistaken. We deserve recognition 365 days a week, not just 1 dinky little day in May.
So let’s talk about moms. They love baseball, too!
My mother worked for the legendary Ty Tyson but really picked up her interest in baseball because of me. I think it started as a survival tactic.
But it entered our discussions almost every day during the season. And she became a fan.
On this holiday weekend, I look back and remember 5 of the best memories I have of her involving baseball.
1. While my mom grew up with the teams of the 1940’s and those World Series Champions, in the ’70’s she took a liking to pitcher Woodie Fryman. I think she just liked the name. At various times though, she would call other players by the same first name. I remember hearing “Woodie Coleman” and “Woodie Brinkman.”
2. Mom would surprise me with tickets to games by hiding them in the books I was reading, under my pillow or underneath the dinner plate. It was always the very best surprise. And she never scrimped – she always bought box seats.
3. When Mark Fidrych was pitching, Mom’s boss would let her leave work to drive into Detroit and stand in line for hours at Tiger Stadium to buy tickets to see The Bird. We both attended that infamous game against the Yankees that was broadcast on national tv.
4. The company she worked for was based in Cincinnati and had strong connections to the Reds when they were known as the Big Red Machine. Her counterpart in Cincinnati would hear the stories from Mom about my love of baseball and how I followed the Reds (my 2nd favorite team). Those conversations resulted in her company arranging with the Reds’ players to send me pictures, autographs and even letters. Pete Rose sent me a long personal note and a charcoal drawing of him that an artist had sketched.
5. Mom was a very elegant and proper woman who was often told she could pass as Ingrid Bergman’s sister. She always dressed well no matter where she went. At Tiger Stadium, she stood out just a tad, wearing her Ferragamo shoes, tortoise shell sunglasses and toting an Italian handbag. No sports gear for her!
At one game, we had seats in the lower deck, underneath the 2nd level. As it happened, someone above us spilled an entire beer and it rained down in its entirely – all on my mother, her nice outfit and her perfectly-coiffed hair. I still remember the look of absolute shock and horror on her face as the beer hit her, not initially understanding what was happening. I don’t think I stopped laughing for 3 innings.
Do you have a baseball story involving your mother to share?
Don’t see your comment? Comments are limited to a maximum of 3 sentences and must address the day’s topic. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the pagein order for your comments to be published.
What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday?
The first ranking for Rookie of the Year is out and a Tiger made the list. It’s not the one you think.
On Tuesday, we addressed the offensive concerns seen with the #5 through #9 batters and why the Tigers can’t continue to put out lineups like this.
I wrote that a player would likely be sent down to Toledo this week – and he was. Parker Meadows.
I also forecast that at least 1 other player would be following him in the near future.
Of course, the news of this move got the social media machine whirring. And the comment often made by fans?
Why aren’t the hitting coaches doing their job?
It’s not that simple, folks.
In fact, many fans are making too many assumptions about this team and their offense. They are assuming that….
– …all players should hit better with coaching.
– …all players possess the necessary skills and talent to hit well.
– …all players are receptive to every suggested change.
– …all players are actually capable of implementing the suggested changes.
– …all players can easily and quickly make the suggested changes.
– …changes in how players take their at-bats becomes second-nature in just days.
– …the majority of rookies should be able to hit respectably in their first year without struggling.
In reality, hitting coaches don’t inherit a mound of clay ready to be formed into a solid hitter. Almost every coach get a pre-formed player with years of bad habits and a zillion previous coaches’ advice stuck in their heads.
For these coaches, it’s a process of undoing before you can rebuild. And as everyone who has tried to change their own behavior knows, none of this happens overnight. It takes awhile. And all of us from time to time slip back into our old habits.
It’s the same with hitters.
With the exception of Zach McKinstry (who is a utility player) and Carson Kelly, there are Javier Baez, Colt Keith, Parker Meadows, Jake Rogers and Spencer Torkelson who are struggling at the plate. These 5 were all acquired by the former Front Office.
In his introduction as the Tigers’ PoBO, Scott Harris mentioned that the Tigers had a roster full of the same type of hitters – those with high strikeout rates and poor plate discipline. The reason why this team is offensively-challenged.
If Harris was in charge back then, would he have collected this identical group or a group that was more diverse in their approach to the plate?
We know it’s the latter. He gave a list of standards the Tigers would be looking for going forward.
Having this same approach is an overall team weakness that gives opposing pitchers the advantage. It’s not just each hitter, it’s also about the whole group. Unless a hitting coach can positively impact every one of these hitters, there are still going to be weaknesses the opponent will exploit that will keep their individual offensive numbers down.
As we can see, there are quite a few factors that have contributed to the current offensive situation. It’s unfair to blame this solely on the hitting coaches without also including the people who acquired and developed these players.
But in today’s game, there are other things going on that factor into the weak offense.
First, the overall drop in offense across the board in MLB. It’s not just the Tigers. It’s every other team. The average BA for all 30 MLB teams is .239 today. It is the lowest average since 1968 – just .02 higher.
And the biggest reason for this is due to the dominance of pitchers in today’s game. They are throwing harder, throwing faster and using a greater arsenal of pitches. We need to stop referring to what hitters did decades ago and comparing them with today’s group. This game has changed dramatically.
Pitchers have a distinct advantage over hitters. I covered what is going on in a blog last month:
The Tigers have 3 hitting coaches – on purpose. It is a trend throughout MLB with the purpose of enhancing communication and having each coach work more effectively with a fewer number of hitters. As a result, each hitter gets more attention.
In the Tigers’ case, all three coaches (Beauregard, Brdar and Zawadzki) have different specialties, personalities, communication style and how they work with players. Each hitter is encouraged to find his best fit and work with that person. Sometimes, another coach may be called in to help.
Don’t assume that the hitters are getting overwhelmed with everyone talking in their ears. They aren’t. They also aren’t receiving conflicting messages about how to hit.
It is a thoughtful and deliberate process.
As well, the majority of MLB hitters also have their own independent hitting coach. It is considered standard operating procedure now. The Tigers include them as they work with their players, sharing strategies and what the hitters are addressing. It is all coordinated among both parties.
Now, let’s look at a couple examples about what is going on behind the scenes as the hitting coaches work with the players.
First, Ryan Vilade. He played for the Rockies and Pirates but both teams couldn’t see his power which explains how the Tigers acquired him. After reviewing video and stats, the Tigers believed they could unlock his power.
It appears they have. He has a .551 slugging percentage which is the highest of his career. A. J. Hinch said the coaches helped him add a leg kick and they tweaked some mechanics in his swing. They appear to be successful solutions so far. Of course, hitting is not quick fix. It is a long-term project.
The other example of what can happen as coaches work with hitters is best exemplified by Spencer Torkelson. Hinch is sharing a lot about the process.
The Tigers know exactly why he’s struggling at the plate. It’s a case of getting him to successfully implement the changes.
Tork is trying, it’s just that he’s hit a ceiling and can’t make the necessary adjustments.
The biggest issue is his inability to hit fastballs and his delayed timing appears to be the biggest factor. They’ve noted that his mechanics are sound so technically, his timing shouldn’t be an issue.
The coaches have been working with him on multiple areas that need addressing including his loading, how he decides on which pitches to select and how to make harder contact. The issues have all been identified and the solutions offered.
But as Hinch has indicated, it is now up to Tork to figure it out. Similar to that story about leading a horse to water but being unable to make him drink. The ball is in Spencer’s court now.
And that’s the point made above. It’s not enough to simply provide the solutions. In the end , it’s about the player being able to implement them. And that part is not on the coaches.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not here to excuse the hitting coaches. Today’s blog is about not making assumptions that there is only 1 party responsible for the results.
There are so many moving parts in creating a successful hitter and the coaches are only a part of the solution.
Although it’s easiest to blame the coaches, as in the rest of life, there are multiple candidates to consider. We simply cannot make blanket statements about who is to blame.
The same goes for an entire team. If a roster is not performing up to standards, one can’t simply blame the manager. You’ve got to include the players, GM, Front Office, farm system and maybe even the owner.
A baseball team is a complex organization. There no one direct path to success. Each team has to have their own formula in order to achieve their goals.
It’s also what’s great about this game. We don’t really appreciate what is easy to achieve but we do marvel when our team is able to solve a complex issue.
So the next time something doesn’t seem to be working, look at all the factors involved. Not just 1 group.
Don’t see your comment? Comments are limited to a maximum of 3 sentences and must address the day’s topic. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the pagein order for your comments to be published.
What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday?
He’s a top pitcher in MLB but yet doesn’t have a “W” in the column.
The reason why Spencer Torkelson isn’t hitting HRs but is hitting a lot of doubles.
On Monday, the Detroit Tigers released their new City Connect uniforms. They will be worn during Friday home games, approximately 12 times this year.
City Connect is a brand name of Nike. It is part of a contract Nike signed with MLB to produce “alternate uniforms.” A veiled attempt to try to attract more fans, esp. the younger ones. Oh, and to create another revenue stream. Only the Yankees and Athletics have opted out from having these new uniforms.
It will be the first time the Tigers will not be wearing white at home.
These new togs are meant to be fun. To mix it up a little.
The Tigers’ new uniform is a mix of black and dark blue and showing no logos other than the Nike swoosh. The cap says “Detroit” and the jersey shows “Motor City.” The pattern on the jerseys is meant to imitate tire tracks. (Insert your Saturday morning cartoon memories here.)
What fans will not see is the “tiger eyes” picture under the bill of the cap and the numbers/codes showing the area code, year the team was founded and the years of World Series championships. That is, unless you buy a replica.
For a full viewing the new uniform, check this out:
Here's a full breakdown of the Tigers' City Connect uniform 👀
Standing side by side with Detroit and the auto industry, the Tigers look ahead with foresight to shift into a new era of excellence pic.twitter.com/ALKbznlyP0
What do you think of their new City Connect uniform?
Make sure to come back and check the final results!
Don’t see your comment? Comments are limited to a maximum of 3 sentences and must address the day’s topic. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the pagein order for your comments to be published.
The Detroit Tigers lost their first series in awhile. Worse than that, they got swept by the NY Yankees.
But it’s not really that series we should be focused on. That is the result of something much bigger that is going on with the Tigers.
The Yankees series represents the first big visible crack in this Tigers roster and portends of something much bigger that is going to happen if things don’t change.
Earlier last week, the Tigers were just a couple games out and sitting in 2nd place. Since then, they’ve dropped like a rock. Now in 4th place, 4 games out and just 2 more wins than losses.
They are the only team in the AL Central to have a losing record in the last 10 games.
It’s not because of the pitching which has been stellar for the most part. It’s the offense as we all know. In the last series, they scored a total of 6 runs in all 3 games.
And this is what is going to continue happening on a regular basis when Detroit faces the better teams.
To see what’s going on, let’s take a look at all 3 of the series lineups. The batting averages posted are those after Sunday’s game.
FRIDAY
Greene – .269
Canha- .254
Perez – .302
Carpenter – .258
Keith – .152
Torkelson – .216
McKinstry – .212
Baez – .177
Rogers – .179
SATURDAY
Greene – .269
Canha – .254
Perez – .302
Carpenter – .258
Vierling – .287
Keith – .152
Torkelson – .216
McKinstry – .212
Kelly – .176
SUNDAY
Ibanez – .296
Vierling – .287
Canha – .254
Greene – .269
Rogers – .179
Torkelson – .216
Keith – .152
Baez – .177
Meadows – .097
The Tigers have 4 – sometimes 5 – players at the top of the lineup who are capable of producing. But then, the rest of the lineup falls off the cliff. There are 4-5 players each day who are batting in the low .200’s to even under .100.
All of them in a row.
Where is the threat beyond the #4 hitter? Opposing pitchers can skate through 2 innings at a time courtesy of the middle-to-lower half of the lineup.
Is Colt Keith or Jake Rogers going to drive in the better hitters who get on base?
Take a look for yourself. On Friday, the Tigers were 0-for-7 in RISP with 10 runners left on base. On Saturday, it was 0-for-2 with 5 runners LOB. Sunday had 1-for-4 RISP with 5 LOB.
All the Yankees had to do was get the first 4 hitters out and then coast through the rest.
The Tigers have half a lineup that can hit and half a lineup that can’t. Four to five players every day who shouldn’t be in the lineup.
Granted, we were told it’s a young roster and that there were going to be struggles. Even Mike Trout only hit .220 in his first year. So what we’re seeing with Colt Keith and Parker Meadows is somewhat expected. How low can you go is the real question for them now.
But the real issues comes with everyone else. You’ve got 2 catchers in Kelly and Rogers who are each hitting .176 and .179 respectively. There are no other catchers in the system who are ready to be called up. At least both are plus defenders with Kelly ranking as the team’s 2nd best. They both also call good games.
The same with Javier Baez who is hitting .177. There are currently no other viable shortstops in the system. Baez also remains because of his contract, his earned right to refuse demotion and ability as a plus defender.
Zach McKinstry has played only a handful of games and hitting .212. Right now, he is needed to fill in for Gio Urshela until he returns from the IL. But moving him is not going to solve much of anything. He’s a secondary player.
The last remaining player in this Death Valley lineup is Spencer Torkelson, hitting .212 after almost going under .200 the other day. He is, right now, the only player who is not contributing at the plate or in the field. He continues to rank as MLB’s worst 1Ber with a -5 DRS.
It doesn’t help when you repeatedly strike out at the plate with the bases loaded or allow balls to sail through into the outfield that cost the team runs – and games.
He would be the logical player to be sent down first but it gets complicated when you’re talking about a former #1 draft pick. It requires gentle handling for the sake of the team and also the fans. Demoting him would send all sorts of messages – and few of them good. Not to mention that it would create an unwanted media frenzy.
But we’re hearing more and more legitimate buzz about how the Tigers are losing patience with Tork. The usual flurry of newspaper articles trying to reassure fans that breakthroughs are being made. Sunday’s tv broadcast that spent way too much time trying to build Spencer up.
The Tigers are now doing damage control as they feed the local media with stories and give directives to the tv broadcast crew.
In fact, the Tigers once again went to their media mouthpiece who churned out several articles and flooded X with 11 tweets in less than 3 days about Torkelson.
When there are so many public discussions about him, it means there are real concerns by the Front Office.
But it’s A. J. Hinch’s comment that has everyone talking.
Hinch has been dropping Tork further down in the lineup. As far as #7. Upon doing that, he said “You see him steadily moving down in the order and the next stop is next to me.” You know what that means.
Unlike the other non-productive hitters in the lineup, Spencer is in the unenviable position of not bringing anything to the table. The others in the same boat are at least plus defenders.
Tork is not driving in runs – or saving them. He’s costing the team wins as he did over the weekend. And his position just happens to be the easiest to fill.
But the fact that he was a #1 draft pick means that the Tigers are going to give him a slightly longer leash in an attempt to right the ship. That #1 pick cost the Tigers a lot when it was earned. They’re not going to let it slip away without trying everything else.
The concern about Torkelson just didn’t start this year. Over the winter, Scott Harris signed Mark Canha and made a point of saying that he also played 1B. It was followed by adding Keston Hiura who also plays the same position.
You don’t start adding 1Bers with experience for no reason. It was assumed that they would sub for Torkelson when games were on the line. It was assumed that Tork would continue hitting as he did at the end of last year.
But now the scenario appears to be changing.
It may end up being more than subbing given that Spencer’s hitting remains cold.
What now becomes really interesting is the clause in Hiura’s contract stating he can opt out on June 1st if he hasn’t been called up to Detroit.
The Tigers weren’t going to make roster changes during the first month of the season. That is way too soon.
But 2 months? If things don’t turn around really soon, this should be the deadline for making the change. If not sooner given that 34 games have now already been played.
I also won’t be surprised if something happens this week. On Thursday, which is a day off and right after the team returns from a road trip. The Tigers tend to make changes on transitional days.
Will it be Tork or will it be a rookie? The Tigers aren’t going to send down multiple players all at once.
In reality, there’s more than 1 player who needs to see Toledo. Changing only 1 player in those last 4-5 slots in the lineup isn’t going to produce much better results.
They’ll do it one at a time, putting more pressure to perform on the others.
With the exception of Kelly and McKinstry, the rest of these suspect hitters carry the baggage of the former Front Office. But now it’s up to Harris to solve the problems he inherited. Some will be easier than others.
He’ll need to….
Solve the vast chunk of a lineup that isn’t hitting.
Solve the problem of not having a number of positional heirs apparent needed to make roster changes.
Solve the problem of the team’s most expensive and long-term member.
And he’s got to do it soon before the Tigers sink deeper and deeper in the standings.
It’s going to be a real challenge. In order to move players, you’ve got to have better replacements as solutions.
It’s going to take changing at least 2 – maybe 3 – of those offensively-challenged players in order to see something of a difference. And sadly, that’s a tall order.
But it needs to be done sooner rather than later.
Who will be the first?
Don’t see your comment? Comments are limited to a maximum of 3 sentences and must address the day’s topic. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the pagein order for your comments to be published.
What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday?
Car mechanic or pit crew member? First look at the new City Connect uniforms.
The Tigers’ media mouthpiece goes overboard in defending Spencer Torkelson – and fans ain’t buyin’ it.
Today, it’s about quick hits – bits of news that catch my radar during the week as well as connecting the dots re ongoing stories. Even the quirky.
So let’s get to it! Here are the most interesting topics that hit my radar over the past week………..
A. J. Hinch will never call out his players publicly but he lets them know diplomatically when they aren’t dialed in.
He did that 3 times last week when both Javier Baez and Spencer Torkelson committed errors during games which were preventable. At least 1 error cost the Tigers one game – maybe more.
He took them out of the lineup the very next day. In Tork’s case, there were 2 games involved. In one of those games, Spencer got pulled during the game and Mark Canha was inserted at 1B despite having a sore throwing arm.
It’s not so easy replacing your shortstop which is why the Tigers have failed to find a replacement for Baez. However, finding a different 1Ber is much easier.
Didn’t you find it interesting that the Tigers have been collecting new players with 1B experience? First, they signed Mark Canha with the mention that he would also be playing 1B in addition to the outfield.
And then during spring training, they signed Keston Hiura to a minor league contract with bonuses for being promoted.
The writing is on the wall. The Tigers are now officially having some concerns about Spencer Torkelson. They are already using Canha to sub for him and replace him in-game to bolster their defense. When your team has problems scoring runs, you better make sure that your pitching and defense are top notch.
Speaking of Torkelson, there is widespread concern about him in the social media pages and by sports writers who are sharing stats that show a significant decline in his plate habits between last year and this season. The level of alarm is the highest it has ever been since he debuted over 2 years ago.
So it’s interesting that the only stories we read in which Tork is quoted have nothing to do with his game.
First, we learned that he spent last year and this season developing the ideas for the dugout celebration. He set up meetings with the brass to discuss his visions and requested the materials to develop the ideas.
Then recently, he developed a line of clothing to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. He and his fiance became the models for the clothing and recently spent time modeling for all the photo shoots.
I would think that if I was struggling to the degree he was, I would be laser-focused on improving my game and shutting out all unnecessary distractions.
On the other hand, a recent interview with Colt Keith had him admitting that he needed to be concentrating solely on baseball. He went through the process of eliminating all distractions including social media and putting away his cell phone.
On the extreme level, it is said that Shohei Ohtani is so focused on improving his game that he blocks out everything else in his life, esp. during the season. So much so that he didn’t know about his translator stealing millions of dollars from him. Ohtani couldn’t even be bothered to look at his bank accounts.
Speaking of great players, it is becoming more of a reality that Mike Trout may go the way of Ernie Banks when it comes to the playoffs and World Series. Trout is once again injured and having surgery on his knee.
For the last 2 years, he’s missed more games than he’s played and is owed $35 mill each for the next 7 years. He plays for the Angels who have 1 of MLB’s worst owners and the poorest farm system out of 30. Translation: Hell will freeze over before the Angels reach anything resembling meaningful October playoffs.
Trout had the chance to demand a trade. In one way, it’s noble to be faithful but this will impact his once-great career and leave a massive hole in his bio.
At one point, he could have leveraged a trade to any team with payroll flexibility. Especially the Phillies which are close to his home and Dave Dombrowski who is notorious for spending money. But now it’s too late.
Trout will be 33 years old this summer and has missed 3 straight years with injuries. His contract – over $212 mill left – is a monster and he has already reached Miguel Cabrera levels in his ability to play.
He deserves better but in reality, he primarily has himself to blame for his current situation.
Jack Flaherty pitched a tremendous game last week, striking out the first 7 batters and recording 14 SOs during his time on the mound. He set several Tiger records.
But we also learned about the process in which the Tigers signed him and it is so very different than what this organization did in the past. The old Tigers used money as the incentive for a player to come to Detroit. The new crew makes a presentation.
Flaherty met with A. J. Hinch in Las Vegas. Hinch brought his pitching coaches as well as Robin Lund. They asked him to bring his notes, needs and concerns for discussion. Fetter and Co. meticulously discussed how they would help him recapture his stuff. Lund then went into a biomechanics discussion.
And, of course, Flaherty signed with the Tigers. They didn’t need to throw some extra sawbucks on the pile for him to say “yes.”
Which one of these stories resonated the most with you?
Don’t see your comment? Comments are limited to a maximum of 3 sentences and must address the day’s topic. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the pagein order for your comments to be published.
What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday?
Tarik Skubal just passed Max Scherzer in this category.
We all know that every team wanting to make the playoffs needs 4 things: solid offense, stellar defense, a lock-down bullpen and both #1 and #2 starting pitchers.
Speaking of the latter, Tarik Skubal is pitching like a #1 starter. But do the Tigers have a #2?
Not yet. But they need to put one in place for next year.
Which brings us to whether that person is currently part of the franchise.
Could it be Casey Mize or Reese Olson?
Will it be someone still down in the minors like Jackson Jobe?
Or are the Tigers still too far away from having a #2 SP? Will they have to go outside the organization to find one?
What do you think?
Today’s blog addresses this question and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences maxto share your thoughts. Of course, you can also respond to other readers.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?
Make sure to come back and check the final results!
Don’t see your comment? Comments are limited to a maximum of 6 sentences (today only!) and must address the day’s topic. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the pagein order for your comments to be published.
The Detroit Tigers locked up the future of 2Ber Colt Keith to what could be a 9-year contract. When they did this, Keith had yet to play at the MLB level although it was expected he would make the roster this year.
Now that he has played in 27 games (through Thursday), Keith is showing solid promise defensively as a rookie. But it’s at the plate where he is really struggling with a .160/.225/.181/.406 slash line. His OPS is the lowest in MLB for qualified hitters.
It was not expected that Colt would have an easy time at the plate right out of the gate. Struggles were expected. But it was clear that the Tigers want him to learn and gain experience.
Recently, other franchises have been sending down some top prospects for their failure to hit like Jackson Holliday.
What should the Tigers do with Keith? Send him down and delay his development at the MLB level or keep him in Detroit to work things out?
Make sure to come back and check the final results!
Don’t see your comment? Comments are limited to a maximum of 3 sentences and must address the day’s topic. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the pagein order for your comments to be published.
FINAL RESULTS FROM AN APRIL TOTALLY TIGERS POLL:
Which former Tiger deserves to be the primary tv partner of Jason Benetti?
For the first time in quite awhile, I’m really enjoying watching some of these Tigers play. I’m seeing energy and fight in these kitty cats.
With it being Friday, I have to submit a list of my top 5 players to watch right now. And for the first time, I have more candidates than slots.
I have to scrap Gio Urshela because he’s been on the IL. As well, Mark Canha and Kerry Carpenter who are 2 of the top 3 hitters on the team. Simply because someone else is really raking to the extent that he’s getting national attention.
Here’s the list of my top 5 faves. It can all change next week but right now, I’m enjoying the moment.
2. ANDY IBANEZ – He’s the hungriest player on the team and is out to prove he belongs. The man loves the game and it shows on his face. I could watch him play 2B and 3B all day with that amazing defense. He’s the 3rd best defensive player on the team.
3. WENCEEL PEREZ – Love it when a player wears his heart and joy on his face. He’s made some great catches in CF and is already #3 in HRs despite his recent arrival including a 2-homer game from both sides of the plate. The last Tiger to do that was Victor Martinez.
4. TARIK SKUBAL – Simply 1 of MLB’s top 5 pitchers right now. He’s electric and currently putting up Cy Young numbers.
5. MATT VIERLING – He’s the player who can do it all well. A master at the hot corner with some amazing dives to save runs. When he’s not helping the team win with his glove, he’s hitting HRs to win a game and putting up offensive numbers that rank near the top of the roster.
Which 5 Tigers are you finding the most fun to watch right now? Tell us by listing them. Alphabetical order for easy comparison earns you extra points!
Don’t see your comment? Comments are limited to a maximum of 3 sentences and must address the day’s topic. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the pagein order for your comments to be published.
What did you miss on our Twitter feed yesterday?
Spencer Torkelson’s Barrel % shows why he’s not hitting HRs.
Totally Tigers 