Detroit Tigers: Eric Haase has come out of nowhere in 2021
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Tigers continue their 2021 season, and in a shocking turn of events, the team has a stellar backstop this year. While many would have expected that to be Wilson Ramos when the 2021 season kicked off, it’s been Eric Haase who is having a breakout season for the Tigers.
It’s been some time since the Detroit Tigers had a reliable backstop, but Haase has been that guy in 2021. The team came into the year with Ramos as the starter, and he looked mighty good. Ramos got off to a good start, and then injuries would hamper things and end up being the demise of his time in a Tigers uniform.
After Ramos sort of fell off the map, it was the Haase, Grayson Greiner, and Jake Rogers show. Haase has emerged as a starter and has also grabbed some playing time in the outfield and as the designated hitter.
The Tigers grabbed Haase from the Cleveland Indians in 2020, and in his first full season after the pandemic, Haase has had a breakout season. It’s not to say that he is going to be the next all-star catcher, but he certainly is proving he belongs in the lineup after the season he is having.
Detroit Tigers catcher Eric Haase is having a breakout season.
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In 2021, Haase has played in 75 games for the Tigers, 49 behind the dish, 17 in the outfield, and 10 as a designated hitter. He has slashed .239/.291/.496 with 19 home runs and 50 RBI for the Tigers.
He could be the first Tigers catcher to really show a power threat in a long time, given that he is on the cusp of 20 home runs as the calendar flips to September.
It’s been great to see Haase finding success; after all, he is a hometown boy who went to high school at Divine Child in Dearborn.
The hometown kid has been able to get things going for the Tigers, and as the 2021 season continues and eventually comes to a close, it will be interesting to see Haase’s final stat line.
Either way, it will be constituted as a breakout season; after all, he’s logged just 26 games in the big leagues otherwise.
While with the Indians, he played in 19 games over two seasons where he had just three hits over 32 at-bats and was punched out 14 times. Since coming to the Tigers, his strikeout numbers have been down, and obviously, the offense is way up; it’s a great sign for the 28-year old.
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The Tigers should be looking for Haase to continue things into 2022 and remain an active part of this team’s roster for the time being. At a minimum, it’s good to see Haase breaking out in 2021 as he has.