Detroit Tigers Roster Preview: Jose Iglesias
Feb 28, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) poses during Photo day at Joker Merchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Quick hits
Name: Jose Iglesias
Age: 25
Position: Infielder
Salary: 1.65 million
Height: 5′ 11″
Twitter handle: @JoseIglesias_SS
How the Detroit Tigers got him: July 30, 2013, Iglesias was traded to the Detroit Tigers in a three-team deal
2014 season recap
Well, there isn’t much I can say here because well, Iglesias didn’t play a single game in the 2014 regular season. He missed the entire season with stress fractures in both of his shins.
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He was supposed to come in and fill the hole that Jhonny Peralta left when in August Peralta was suspended for 50 games in connection with South Florida Biogenesis clinic.
Then of course, Peralta wasn’t resigned and soon Iglesias was the teams every day starter who was going to become the future at short stop for the Detroit Tigers. But then he was derailed by injuries and the Tigers had a revolving door of players at short stop.
However before he was hurt, he was a very effective short stop and watching his highlights got you excited about this kid. He had great speed and like Ian Kinsler to his left, seemed to always get to almost any ball that was hit to him.
2015 Season Potential
So with a guy who spent an entire season off the field, what should we expect from him in the 2015 season? We can hope that his shins are fully healed and that he can stay healthy this whole season. That I would say should be his biggest goal this season and I think he has the ability to do so.
Also his ability to get on base, which is one thing, he did very well before he was injured. In his first full season of play, so his 2013 season he had a OBP on .349.
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That same year he finished second in rookie of the year voting. This spring will be very important for Iglesias to get back into shape to play full-time and to make sure he gets back in the swing of things.
Iglesias says he is happy to be back on the field and is excited for the season.
“I was really excited to get back on the field, Really happy.”
Strengths and Weaknesses
Weaknesses
The clear obvious here, that is Iglesias and the health of his shins. Shin splints or fractures are some of the hardest injuries to deal with as a player because really all you can do to heal them, is stay off them and a guy who is 25 and plays professional baseball that is kind of difficult.
That is the main focus for him and if he can overcome it and stay healthy all season then the team is helped because the shortstop position doesn’t become a revolving door like it did last season.
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Strengths
He is a good player; he can hit and can field well, when he is healthy. He is young guy still, he is only 25 and that is a good thing. Iglesias can be the future for the Detroit Tigers at short stop, if he can stay healthy.
Depth Chart
At this moment, he is slated as the starter at shortstop and as long as nothing goes wrong this spring, there is a good chance he will be the opening day starter at the shortstop position.
Fast fun fact
Iglesias defected from the Cuban junior national team while in Canada.
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What do you think Jose Iglesias will do this season? Do you think he will stay healthy and become a staple player for the Detroit Tigers at the shortstop position? Let us know below and don’t forget to stay connected to Detroit Jock City for all your Detroit Tiger news.