After having a taste of the Tigers last season, Parker Meadows is back as the full-time CFer.
He has elite speed which is perfect for that large expanse of grass and his presence allowed the Tigers to move Riley Greene to LF. A move that will help protect Greene’s health with fewer diving catches.
Parker is also the team’s #2 defensive player, ranking just 1 point below Greene.
However, he has struggled mightily at the plate. Not totally unexpected given his rookie status. He’s hitting .082/.200/.213/.413 (through Friday). He ranks #1 in strikeouts with Greene having just 1 less.
What should the Tigers do about Meadows?
Should they keep him in Detroit and let him develop? If they do, how will it impact the team’s offense?
Or should they send him down to Toledo to work things out? If they do, then who would take over CF? Currently, Matt Vierling is the only player (with the exception of Greene) with experience there and he’s currently subbing for Ibanez and Urshela.
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 max to 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 page in order for your comments to be published.
FINAL RESULTS FROM AN APRIL TOTALLY TIGERS POLL:
Which player’s performance has impressed you the most so far?
- Kerry Carpenter 52%
- Gio Urshela 28%
- Matt Vierling 20%
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Meadows and Keith are both struggling, Keith less so, but developing against MLB pitching is best unless Hinch is genuinely worried about their confidence. Give it at least until Mothers Day.
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Parker Meadows should go down, if there is someone down there performing well enough to move up, which is why he may end up getting through 50 or 60 games before finally being sent out.
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It’s one thing to not block key prospects, but it’s another thing to give young players at who are mired in terrible slumps. It undercuts the culture of winning. Hinch and Harris cannot wish a player to success, at some point he has to earn it. Jackson Holliday and Jordan Walker were really sent down to the farm. The Tigers should follow suit and let him slug his way back.
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I wouldn’t send him down at this point primarily because of his defense in CF. He seems to be hitting the ball hard and having a lot of bad luck. While I haven’t looked at all his advanced stats, I did look up his babip and it’s a pathetic .094 which would seem to support the bad luck theory. Of course, the Tigers need to do whatever is best for his future development. I could point to several other players who are better candidates to be sent down.
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I think defense is important. Let him work his way out of the slump.
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I love Parker’s defense, but here’s the problem I see. Our catchers are already no-hit / good defense and you can far less afford to have a defense only outfielder. Additionally Tork, Keith, Javi are also black holes in the lineup. I say a guy who’s driving the ball like Wenceel Perez should get roster spot. In my opinion the organization would benefit from greater accountability for performance (I see you, batting coaches!).
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If they are going to send Meadows down they need to send a couple more down with him. At least Meadows can defend.
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I agree. If anyone needs to be sent down, it’s Colt Keith. He not only has a very low batting average, but he’s absolutely horrible defensively. I hold my breath every time the ball goes to him!
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Parker needs to be sent down and get his confidence back. He needs swings and the only way to get swings is to bat at the top of an order which isn’t happening here. Having Canha hitting at the top with Meadows at the bottom, makes you think we’re playing to win.Yet Harris said this year was again about developing players for the future. All we’ve seen is regression in just about everyone considered “the future”. I’m not sure what we’re trying to accomplish.
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What they are trying to accomplish is win as many games as you can, be respectable, for as little money as possible.
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I voted to keep him in Detroit. I think he will hit when he learns to use his speed. Even if he can hit .220 with some walks and his elite speed, he benefits your lineup. And there’s little discussion as to needing his defense in center. If you pull him then dominoes may fall weakening the D and AJ’S maneuverability. I think AJ, as he did today will find ways to take pressure off him.
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Central to this question is whether the team is truly going to contend for division this year or not. If you believe yes, send Meadows down to reset and breathe for a month. We can’t keep carrying a .080 average. If you don’t believe we’ll contend then you might be inclined to hang with Meadows on parent club. I lean toward sending him down to reset for a month or so. Unfortunately, we don’t have nearly the offense to “be there in the end.”
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Agreed–clearly the Tigers are contending. If the playoffs began tomorrow, the Tigers at .556 would be the third/final Wildcard team. Meadows must go to Toledo to fix his batting, mainly because to finish at .556, the Tigers need him back, hitting .250 or better.
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He’s had a month. No team that is serious about winning starts a guy who hits below .100. Let him play every day in Toledo, but the likelihood is that he doesn’t have what it takes to hit in the majors.
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Perez is hitting. Why not learn a position on the big club instead of learning to hit? Give Perez a chance in center and give Meadows some regroup time in Toledo. Hinch claimed no one is just given a spot and has to earn it by performing. Meadows is a great defender but he needs some time to figure out how to hit again. I think he will snap out of it in the right environment.
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