Detroit Tigers still kicking the tires on outfielder Victor Reyes

The Detroit Tigers selected Victor Reyes in the 2017 Rule 5 MLB Draft from the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, and since then, they have hoped for him to break out. His time with the Tigers has been far from an exciting addition.

At times it looked like the Detroit Tigers might have found a diamond in the rough, but he has never really turned that corner and showed that “it” factor the Tigers are looking for. But, the Tigers have to stop kicking the tires and giving him chances eventually.

Enough is enough. Reyes eating up an outfield spot will eventually bite the team in the rear end. Realizing they have been given enough chances and moving in something the Tigers must do sooner than later.

With the 2022 season on ice still due to the work stoppage, let’s take a look at Reyes and what he can bring to the table or if it’s time to start severing this bond. Looking at how things have gone for Reyes, it may just be the latter of the two options.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Victor Reyes is running out of chances.

There’s no secret that the Tigers outfield is becoming crowded. With the emergence of another Rule 5 draftee in Akil Baddoo, the Tigers will be trying to spread the wealth of playing time.

Robbie Grossman is returning on the second year of his contract, where he will continue to be a bright spot in the team’s lineup. There is buzz that outfielder Riley Greene has a shot at earning his debut during the 2022 season if it ever happens.

There are also players like Daz Cameron and Derek Hill that are trying to crack the lineup when they get the chance. Other players have shown the ability to play the outfield as well that the Tigers have been working in, such as Willi Castro and super-utility man Harold Castro.

When it comes to Reyes, he will have to earn his playing time and consistent appearances in the outfield. He’s coming off of the 2021 season where he slashed .258/.284/.416 over 220 plate appearances across his 76 games played.

It’s nothing special and certainly nothing close to what the Tigers were hoping for from the switch-hitting outfielder. But at this point, instead of hoping things will change and hoping for more, the Tigers should start thinking about if other players deserve the opportunity more.

Continuing to kick the tires on Reyes is wasting chances for players like Cameron and Hill, who deserve opportunities to stick as well. Both of those players have seen the big leagues, and whether they’ve struggled or not, they deserve a chance if Reyes is going to keep getting opportunities.