Spring Training is more than half way completed and the Detroit Tigers have already made a number of cuts and reassignments of players in Major League camp. Here is a look at my roster projection for the start of the 2023 season. Please note, this team is going to be extremely fluid throughout the season the roster I’m projecting is simply what I think it will be on Opening Day, not necessarily what I think it will be a month into the season.
Starters: Eric Haase (C), Spencer Torkelson (1B), Jonathan Schoop (2B)*, Nick Maton (3B), Javier Baez (SS), Matt Vierling (LF), Riley Greene (CF), Austin Meadows (RF), Miguel Cabrera (DH)
NOTE*: Jonathan Schoop is the current starting second baseman, but, he’s on thin ice, in my opinion. However, I do believe, if he does not get things going by the time the month of May rolls around he will be Designated for Assignment and Andre Lipcius (as long as he keeps hitting in Toledo as he has in Spring Training) will be one of the first position players recalled from the Minor Leagues. At this point, Lipcius would become the starting third baseman and Nick Maton would slide over to second and take over for Schoop.
Bench: Jake Rogers (C), Akil Baddoo (OF)*, Cesar Hernandez (UTL)*, Andy Ibanez (UTL)**
NOTE*: I believe Akil Baddoo better fits the mold of what Harris and the Tigers are looking for in a bench role player. Baddoo hasn’t hit the cover off the ball during spring training, by any means, however, he does draw walks and he has speed…both are things that Kerry Carpenter does not do or have. Because of this, I believe Baddoo edges out Carpenter to start the season. Though, if Carp continues to hit he will be with Detroit once again in 2023.
NOTE**: Despite his injury, Ibanez is listed as day-to-day and I believe he will break camp and head north with the Tigers, in the end. I’ve put him on the Opening Day roster because of the number of positions he is capable of playing and, most importantly, because he has the ability to play first base.
Starting Rotation: Eduardo Rodriguez (LHP), Matt Boyd (LHP), Spencer Turnbull (RHP), Michael Lorenzen (RHP), Joey Wentz (LHP)*
NOTE*: Simply put, Wentz has outperformed Matt Manning throughout Spring Training. He’s earned the rotation spot.
Bullpen: Alex Lange (RHP), Jose Cisnero (RHP), Jason Foley (RHP), Mason Englert (RHP), Tyler Alexander (LHP), Edwin Uceta (RHP), Garrett Hill (RHP), Chasen Shreve (LHP)**
NOTE*: Garrett Hill put together a solid campaign in 2022 and he’s looking to build on that in 2023. I think the bullpen is the best place to do that (for now). His stuff has looked impressive coming out of the bullpen so far during spring training. While the stats on paper may not look fantastic, he’s seen an uptick in velocity touching 97 at times. The Tigers have only started him once in his five spring appearances, so it appears as though they are preparing him for a role coming out of the pen. He could easily become a power arm for the Tigers down the road.
NOTE**: Shreve’s left-handedness plays a HUGE role in his addition to the bullpen. This will allow the Tigers more versatility in regards to left-handed relievers if they choose to carry two at the start of the season. He’s also put together a solid spring surrendering only 1 run in 5 appearances while striking out 8.