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?
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Seems to me, by keeping him at this level, where everyday he experiences more lost opportunities, creates a crisis of confidence in the lad that is avoidable.
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Good question that doesn’t only apply to Colt Keith, but Meadows, and even Torkelson. I bounce back and forth, but generally favor sending them down soon for a “reset” and to escape the scrutiny each day.
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I would send Keith down and consider Ibanez for 2B. Also, Jung can come up. For the record, I am keeping my eye on Hao-Yu Lee in AA, who is a solid 2B defensively and is hitting .253 with an OPS of .712.
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I agree with you andy. Colt Keith is just not ready for the big leagues. I also disagree with Holly on his defense (although he’s made a few decent plays lately, for the most part he is defensively challenged). I don’t think we can afford to have both Keith and Torkelson defending the right side. Ibanez is so much better at 2nd base, both defensively and offensively.
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I’ve seen enough in his better approach and better at bats that he would be able to learn here at the MLB level and find success there. I’ve Got Confidence now that Andy’s back the AJ will be able to put Keith in more better situations in order to succeed. He worked a walk to score the Tigs only run against the Yankee bullpen..
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Through the minor leagues, Colt Keith initially struggled and then he caught up to the pitching and started to hit. I would see how he does to the end of May and if the struggles continue, then send him down late May.
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Prospects with no MLB experience should start the season at AAA to find their hitting rhythm, irrespective of how well they hit at AAA the prior season. Jumping from spring training pitching straight to MLB pitching after the long offseason is a big jump so move them up after they get off to a good start at AAA. Maybe that helped Wenceel Perez?
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I was all for Keith making the roster out of spring training. At this time he doesn’t seem major league ready as a hitter. His defsn’t getting players ready for the majors what the minors is for?
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If Tork can stay, then should Colt.
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Ir’s not just Keith, it’s Tork and Meadows as well. I think the thought is as long as we’re winning, don’t change team chemistry regardless of how poor half the team is hitting. Once we have a losing streak or lose 8 of 10, I think is when we’ll see some movement with Toledo.
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Keith is not ready for prime time at this point, nor is Meadows but his defensive skills seem to be enough to keep him in the show but they can’t let his lack of hitting go on for an extended time.
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