Tigers Roster Predictions

Photo Credit: Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press

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At one point this winter, the only questions about the Tigers’ roster was who will get the last spot in the bullpen and on the bench. Now, with them losing out on the Alex Bregman sweepstakes and injuries to Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling, there are many question marks and, right now, very few answers heading into the 2025 campaign.

Catchers (2) – Jake Rogers, Dillon Dingler

Rogers is the clear number one catcher. A veteran leader that handles the staff with the best in the game. Dingler had a very good spring. Very strong tandem.

First Base (1) – Colt Keith

Keith has been squaring the ball up well all spring. He was 6th in all of Spring Training in hard hit balls. His transition to 1B is still a work in progress.

Second Base (1) – Gleyber Torres

Torres had a very good spring. I think that is the result of a fresh start in Detroit and out of the magnified glass of New York. A much needed RH bat at the top of the lineup and a significant defensive upgrade at second base. I look for him to return to All-Star form.

Shortstop (2) – Javy Baez, Trey Sweeney

Baez appears to be fully healthy from off-season hip injury. He will still swing and miss at pitches in the opposite batters box, so his offense will be horrid. Trey Sweeney has shown strides at the plate and has a good glove. With a glaring hole at third base and Parker Meadows out, Baez could be splitting time at all three positions.

Third Base (2) – Zach McKinstry, Andy Ibanez

Only thing I can say here is this is the worst tandem in baseball. A trade must happen and happen early in the year.

Outfield (4) – Riley Greene, Wencil Perez, Justin Henry Malloy, Jahmai Jones

What once was one of the best, if not the best, defensive outfields in baseball has been reduced to the biggest ‘What if’ question on the team. They will be in serious trouble if Meadows and Vierling don’t return by May. I’m concerned Meadows will be out for an extended period of time.

Designated Hitter (2) – Kerry Carpenter, Spencer Torkelson

Against right handed pitching, Carpenter is a top 5 DH. Against left handed pitching, he is near the bottom of the list. He must show he can have success against left handed pitching to be the full time DH. Spencer Torkelson had a very good spring. If he can figure it out at the plate, he will be a huge boost to an offense that could certainly use it.

Starting Pitching (5) – Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Reese Olson, Casey Mize. Jackson Jobe

Skubal and Flaherty combine to make one of the best 1-2 punches. The rest of the rotation is a question mark. Can Olson show more command of the corners to avoid his penchant for giving up the long ball? Has Mize finally figured it out? Is Jobe ready for primetime? Alex Cobb is still rehabbing his hip so he could be a replacement if one of the three struggle.

Relief Pitching (7) – Johnathan Brebbia, Beau Brieske, Andrew Chaffin, Jason Foley, Tyler Holton, Tommy Kahnle, Kenta Maeda, Will Vest

The Tigers had one of the best bullpens in baseball last year and it was the main reason they made their magical run to make the postseason. The bullpen was bolstered even more with the additions of Brebbia and Kahnle. Kahnle, who came over from the Yankees, has been one of the best set up men in baseball over the last three seasons and will be used in high leverage spots. I think Tyler Holton will have an All – Star season.

There are definitely some question marks entering into the year that need to be answered if the Tigers want to return to the postseason. I trust that AJ Hinch and Scott Harris will figure these out and we will have October baseball again in the Motor City.

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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL NETWORK