Young players won’t be given a roster spot by the Tigers, nor do they intend to block them.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—On the Detroit Tigers’ Opening Day roster, youngsters Colt Keith and Justyn-Henry Malloy are not included.
Yet they have a route to a location.
Furthermore, that’s not bad for two players who are, respectively, 22 and 23 years old.
At the Winter Meetings this week, Tigers President of Baseball Operations stated, “They have to actively earn a spot on the roster.” “The strategy is to compete by showing up in Lakeland. There is going to be fierce competition at camp. Many players will compete for spots on the Opening Day roster, and I believe that competition will bring out the best in those players.
Keith could end up playing second base every day after hitting.306 with a.932 OPS in 577 plate appearances in 2023 between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo.
With a.892 OPS in 611 plate appearances and 110 walks, Malloy has the best chance of making the team as a multipositional player. A combination of pinch hitter, designated hitter, and corner outfielder with a little bit of third base mixed in.
Malloy bats right-handed, while Keith bats left. They are a wonderful fit for the Tigers’ roster in many respects. But they will have to earn their spots from the Tigers.
“My wish is that they visit our camp and force us to make an extremely difficult choice,” Harris remarked.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch stated that it would be beneficial if Keith and Malloy felt more pressure as a result of that expectation.
Being on a prospect list is one thing, but being a key player in the competition to make a major league roster for the first time is quite another, according to Hinch. “Justyn and Colt had an amazing time at last year’s big-league camp, but I don’t think anyone expected them to play a part. It might be a little different this year, but I’m sure they’ll respond well.
Although Hinch stated that Jace Jung’s best chance of earning a roster spot will come later, the Arizona Fall League player is expected to be in big-league camp. Jung exclusively played third base in the league.
“Jace isn’t in the same league as Colt and Justyn because he hasn’t played Triple-A,” Hinch remarked. “They have both dominated Triple-A in addition to having played in it. Their assessments to determine their eligibility for our team will differ.
How does one go about getting onto a roster spot?
Eleven position players would probably be employed if the season began today: shortstop Javier Baez, first baseman Spencer Torkelson, outfielders Mark Canha, Riley Greene, Parker Meadows, and Kerry Carpenter, catchers Carson Kelly and Jake Rogers, and utility players Matt Vierling, Zach McKinstry, and Andy Ibanez.
That conveniently leaves two spots available.
Someone like Nick Maton or Tyler Nevin, who both no longer have options to allow them to be sent to the minor leagues, could fill them.
Alternatively, the Tigers may sign a free agent to cover one or both of the openings.
However, the most likely scenario is that the Tigers will continue to use their own players, either Keith, Malloy, or a temporary replacement for one of them.
“We have to tread carefully when it comes to adding players to the team without impeding the development of young players,” Harris stated. It gets a little tight when estimating plate appearances in 2024. Though it becomes tight, that doesn’t mean we’re done. Additionally, creating a runway for upcoming players needs to be our top priority. You saw what young players were capable of in 2023. There will be more soon.
