Detroit Tigers: Dixon Machado looking to seize an opportunity
By Ash Thompson
Dixon Machado is one of the Detroit Tigers players looking to prove himself in 2018. He is stepping into his first full-time gig on opening day.
The Detroit Sports Media voted Dixon Machado the Detroit Tigers rookie of the year in 2017. Machado played behind infielders Ian Kinsler and Jose Iglesias, but he made the opening day roster for the first time in his career. He played in 73 games and posted a .259 batting average with one home run, and one stolen base.
It was not Machado’s acumen at the plate that earned him accolades though, it was his defense. Machado played most of his games on the interior infield and five at third base. Despite that tough duty, in 195 total chances, Machado made only four errors.
The Tigers traded away Kinsler, and Machado spotted his window. He has been among the team’s better players leading up to opening day. In spring training Machado is batting .326 after 17 games. He has been penciled into the Tigers regular line up at second base, and the number nine spot in the batting order.
Spring training stats don’t really mean that much. A .087 jump in batting average year over year is an encouraging development from a 26-year-old player. Particularly one taking on his first full-time role in the big leagues.
Machado is among the young players that the Tigers are hoping will find their place in the league sooner rather than later. He spent last season on the roster because he is out of minor league options. To send him down they would have to expose him to waivers and risk losing him altogether. Machado is a career .246 at the plate during the regular season. The Tigers will need his upward trajectory to continue.
Along with Machado, the Tigers opening day infield will consist of Miguel Cabrera at first, Iglesias at short, and Jeimer Candelario at third barring a drastic change of circumstance in the next week. Iglesias committed only seven errors on 538 total chances last season. Detroit’s pitching staff should be able to count on great defensive play up the middle of the infield if not a lot of run support this season.
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The Tigers visit the Braves today at 1 p.m. You can watch the game on Fox Sports Detroit Plus, or listen in on 97.1 the Ticket.