Akil Baddoo is LEGIT: He became the first Detroit Tigers to homer in his first two career games, one of which was a Grand Slam and then became the youngest player since Travis Fryman to have a walk-off hit for the franchise. He currently leads the team in Homeruns (2), RBI (6) and Stolen Bases (1) through the first rotation of the pitching staff; mind you he has only played in three of the five games Detroit has played.
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Skubal and Mize are here to stay: Both are budding stars. Skubal looked as though he was going to earn his first win of 2021 in his first start, however, it was squandered by the bullpen. Mize only lasted 4 innings, mostly due to his pitch count, but only gave up one run while striking out four. Skubal showed great poise with his fastball toying with hitters by changing up speed and mixing in his secondary pitches well. Mize still showed some struggles with his command but was much better than his early Spring Training appearances. Barring any sort of injury both will remain in the rotation for the year.
2020 Jeimer Candelario was the real deal: The Candyman continues to rake at the plate. He has already collected six hits through his first five games. He is using all parts of the field and taking several pitches the other way showing his evolution at the plate. It appears that the Candelario Detroit thought they were getting when trading for him has arrived.
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The catcher position is disappointing all around: Wilson Ramos is hitting .214 and Grayson Greiner .167 and have combined for 10 strikeouts in 14 at-bats. While Ramos has been behind the plate, he has given up one passed ball and pitchers have thrown four wild pitches. Statistical data shows the defense has not been a problem behind the plate, however, it feels as though the pitching staff is still yet to get comfortable with either of the catchers behind the plate.
Robbie Grossman is an on base machine: Grossman currently boasts an OBP of .524 thanks to his 9 base on balls through five games. It appears Grossman’s patience at the plate has had a trickle-down effect to some degree, the Tigers have already collected 20 base on balls as a team.
Michael Fulmer as found his new home: He has been strong out of the pen thus far for the Tigers. Fulmer has been called on twice and thrown three innings allowing one run while strikeout out five and holding opponents to a .182 batting average.
The remainder of the bullpen is scary: The ERAs of the bullpen pitchers are astronomically high, albeit we are only five games deep. Buck Farmer (16.88 ERA) has allowed five earned runs in 2.2 innings, Derek Holland (15.43 ERA) has allowed four earned runs in 2.1 innings, Daniel Norris (12.00 ERA) has allowed four earned runs in 3.0 innings and these are our veteran arms coming out of the pen.
Hinch will make this team a winner: It will not happen this year, but Hinch seems to know when to press the buttons and how to press them the right way. His foresight alone in yesterday’s game when he removed Miggy from the game to put in Harold Castro knowing that Castro would then be the player put on second base to start extra innings, he is playing to win. While this team does not have a shot to contend in 2021 they are scrappy, it is possible they may spoil some contenders seasons late in the year.
Credit: Detroit Free Press