Spring Training is in full swing and we are about to see our first exhibition games come weeks end. We are getting to the time where we see the Opening Day lineup predictions come out. Seeing that I just purchased my Opening Day tickets for the Detroit Tigers I thought I might throw my hat in the ring and take a stab at predicting the Opening Day lineup for the 2019 season.
Drum roll please……..
3B – Jeimer Candelario (S)
SS – Jordy Mercer (R)
DH/1B – Miguel Cabrera (R)
LF – Nicholas Castellanos (R)
1B/DH – John Hicks (R)
2B – Niko Goodrum (S)
LF – Christin Stewart (L)
CF – JaCoby Jones (R)
C – Grayson Greiner (R)
And now for the bench…
C – Bobby Wilson (R)
OF – Mikie Mahtook (R)
IF – Ronny Rodriguez (R)
UTL – Brandon Dixon (R)
This roster is not all that impressive; it is definitely a mosh-posh of players. This team is young for sure which makes it ideal for a lot of losses leading to high draft picks. It is also ideal for the development of young talent and allows these young players to gain MLB experience to see what the big leagues is all about.
There are a couple of notable players within the lineup that I want to take a look at for a minute….
Miguel Cabrera
Miggy is apparently back and healthy. The biggest question is whether or not Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire will choose to keep Cabrera off his feet or will he run him out to first base on a regular basis? Through some recent interviews Gardy has made it clear that the number one priority is to keep Miguel healthy, but has not hinted at whether or not that means full time DH, full time first bagger or splitting time between the two. Personally I think the splitting time option will be the best. In an article by Chris McCosky of the Detroit News Miggy was quoted saying “I want to be dangerous…you have to [be] confident and feel like you can still do it. I’m going to play my best.”
Grayson Greiner
It is clear the Detroit Tigers organization is handing the everyday catching duties over to the young gun, seeing that they only signed Bobby Wilson in free agency. With these new duties Greiner is going to get a major does of the big leagues in 2019. Greiner is a HUGE player, which you would expect a lot of power form a player his stature. Unfortunately the power hasn’t come yet; he’s only managed 10+ home runs in one season of his five year career. I would expect to see him mature at the plate, and hopefully bulk up and start to generate more power.
Jordy Mercer
With the departure of Jose Iglesias the Detroit Tigers front office brought Jordy Mercer into the clubhouse. Mercer has had a productive career and will prove to be serviceable at the short stop position until the team is able to find their long term future at the position. I would expect Mercer to post a .250 batting average with some power, maybe 10-15 homeruns while scoring 50ish runs on the season.
I have a feeling that this team is going to be extremely frustrating to watch. I hope we get the opportunity to see some of our young guns turn themselves into star player for this organization. I don’t plan on watching this team and expecting wins, I expect to see the development and what the future holds. So here’s to a wonderful 2019 season, Lets Go Tigers!