Detroit Tigers: Grading The 2019 Players For Their Performances
By Tyler Kotila
Taking a closer look at some of the regulars for the Detroit Tigers backstop and infielders offers a glimpse into seven of the 2019 regulars.
John Hicks: C+
In 2019, Hicks tried to step up for a team that was not going to create many runs in the first place. He started the year on a tear that ended with him hitting only .210 with thirteen home runs and thirty-five RBI.
Hicks took on a varied role, catching in most games but also seeing time at first base as well as being the designated hitter on occasion. He earns a final grade of C+ because of his regression from years prior, but the hot start helped him boost this grade.
Miguel Cabrera: D-
The power is gone, he has primarily made it clear not to expect many more than ten home runs in a year from him because of his prior injuries. He made a significant regression in terms of hitting approach, becoming more of a singles hitter, who obviously cannot run well. He did hit .282 this season with a .346 OBP, but only twelve home runs, the power threat has vanished.
In his current condition, he has become Victor Martinez 2.0 and is mostly transitioned into that DH-only role for the Tigers, with him being under contract through the 2023 season.
Gordon Beckham: C+
It’s Gordon Beckham, how much can be said about a thirty-three-year-old who has never been more than mediocre at best? He hit .215/.372/.271 in 2019 for the Tigers. He did improve from the previous couple of seasons in the big leagues, but again he was just a mediocre innings-eater to help slowly work in the youngsters throughout the season, playing middle infield.
Growth, growth, and more growth. Rodriguez may have spent some time in the minor leagues, but as a middle infielder who logged eighty-four games in the big leagues, Rodriguez managed to swing a .221/.438/.252 slash line while showing some pop in his bat with fourteen home runs and forty-three RBI. Rodriguez also managed to clean up his defensive game a little bit, cutting back on errors that earned him an A.
Jordy Mercer: A+
For a rental player, the Tigers saw some of his best career numbers since 2013, his power was down a little bit, but the Tigers did not have much power at all as a team. Mercer swung .270/.438/.310 with nine home runs and twenty-two RBI for the Tigers.
Being able to add him for the season was a perfect rental, someone who somehow put together a better than usual season a team that is an all-time low. Potentially, resigning him to platoon in the infield at a low price might not be a terrible idea. Mercer was a solid shortstop the Tigers could plug in and bat low in the lineup routinely in 2019.
Dawel Lugo: B+
It appeared that Lugo had put things together, and he would go on some streaky stretches, and then turn around and have downtime, struggling to hit. Lugo managed a .245/.381/.271 slash with six home runs and twenty-six RBI for the Tigers in 2019.
He did show improvements from his short stint with the team in 2018, but Lugo still has room to prove he can be an everyday big-league third baseman or even just hitter for that matter.
When the Detroit Tigers acquired Candelario, it was known that it was going to take time to get him accustomed to the big league talent level. The 2019 season was supposed to be his time to click and finally pop off, but that did not happen. Candelario regressed big time, having to be sent down to figure things out at the plate before returning to the Tigers.
He only hit .203/.337/.306 with eight home runs and thirty-two RBI in 2019. In 2018, Candelario hit nineteen home runs and had fifty-four RBI, he honestly just regressed big time between then and now.