Detroit Tigers: Akil Baddoo has warranted big league playing time in 2021
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Tigers are going to have Akil Baddoo stationed on their 26-man roster during the 2021 season. If the Tigers wish to keep him, he has to stay there for the duration of the 2021 season since he was the team’s selection during the 2021 Rule 5 Draft.
The 22-year old outfielder was taken from the Minnesota Twins organization and has had a fire lit under him for the extent of Spring Training in 2021. The Detroit Tigers have seen Baddoo put up some incredible numbers during Spring Training and look to carry this success into the season.
While originally, the Tigers were expected to give some opportunities to Baddoo here and there as more of a pinch hitter, Baddoo has been a bit of a standout. That being said, he warrants to get some playing time and some opportunities to prove he can hang in the big leagues.
Baddoo has not played a second above High-A ball and is going to be making a major jump from the minors to the big leagues. But he has appeared to be handling it well while competing against big-league talent.
Detroit Tigers outfielder, Akil Baddoo, has earned a few looks in 2021.
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So far in Spring Training, Baddoo has logged fifteen total games; he is hitting an impressive .357/.500/.857 with two doubles, four home runs, and nine RBI. His OPS currently sits at 1.357 on his time in Lakeland this spring.
Baddoo looks as if he can be a big-league outfielder, at least at the level the Tigers would be playing at.
Keep an eye on him as the 2021 season kicks off; Baddoo should be someone that gets a start here and there to see what he can do against big-league talent.
The Tigers have brought in Robbie Grossman on a two-year deal and Nomar Mazara on a one-year deal, also adding some depth into the outfield.
JaCoby Jones is looking to bounce back after an injury ended his 2020 season and added some more adversity to his plate.
Beyond that, the Tigers also have another former Rule 5 Draft pick in Victor Reyes, who is vying for time in the outfield. Baddoo’s strong spring performance makes it seem like he deserves one heck of a look in the big leagues.
While there is a decent chance that he could struggle to translate the statistics over from spring ball, but the chance is there that he catches on and is able to make a major jump from High-A in 2019 to the MLB in 2021.
Detroit Tigers: Akil Baddoo is going to get opportunities in 2021. light. Must Read
The hope for that is high, but with the way Baddoo has been swinging the bat in Spring Training, there is no way that the Tigers can pass up on giving him some opportunities.