Chris McCosky | The Detroit News Lakeland, Fla. — Professor AJ Hinch delivered a meaty media session Wednesday morning. The topic: zone defense. Say what now? This wasn’t a basketball discussion. The way Hinch conceptualizes and teaches defensive shifts is akin to playing a zone. “The reality is, we don’t know exactly where the ball is going
Jeff Seidel | Detroit Free Press LAKELAND, Fla. — One Stanford man was heart-broken for another on Wednesday. Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch was rattled after learning that Tiger Woods was seriously injured outside Los Angeles on Tuesday after a rollover accident. “I was sick to my stomach,” Hinch said Wednesday morning. Hinch and Woods both attended
LAKELAND, Fla. — No American League team shifted its infielders last year more often than the Tigers, who shifted on 50.5 percent of opposing plate appearances according to Statcast. Don’t expect that to change dramatically under new manager A.J. Hinch, whose Astros led the AL in shifts in each of the previous four seasons. The
Tigers infielder Willi Castro says he’s really excited about having the chance to be the everyday shortstop in 2021. #TigersST
Tigers starter Casey Mize says it’s definitely different this year, trying to break camp with a spot in the rotation . #TigersST
Tigers outfield prospect Riley Greene says he learned a lot in Toledo in 2020, but his cooking skills are being put to the test in Lakeland this spring. #TigersST
Evan Petzold | Detroit Free Press LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers infielder Willi Castro recently had his braces removed. He flashed a sharp smile Wednesday afternoon, fielding ground balls and firing them to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Beyond the braces, the 23-year-old is losing the training wheels. The Tigers are confidently moving forward with him as their
It’s the match-up that beats at the heart of baseball, so it’s only natural that it plays a prominent role in spring training workouts. Take a look and a listen as Tigers batters get their first swings against live pitching. Spencer Turnbull, Matthew Boyd & Matt Manning are among those on the mound, while Miguel
LAKELAND, Fla. — Jake Rogers has some history watching top prospects grow up. The Tigers catching prospect caught Casey Mize, Matt Manning and Alex Faedo at Double-A Erie in 2019, then caught them again along with Tarik Skubal at the alternate training site in Toledo, Ohio, last summer. He shared a house last Spring Training
Chris McCosky | The Detroit News Lakeland, Fla. — If you ever questioned the wisdom of bringing players who are still in the lower rungs of the minor-league system to big-league training camp, we draw your attention to the scene on the backfields of Joker Marchant Stadium Wednesday. Twenty-year-old Riley Greene, the Tigers’ No. 4-ranked prospect, was
Growing up as a Detroit Tigers fan in the ’80s, names like Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Jack Morris, and others come to your mind. The image of Sparky Anderson on the steps with his pipe and his glasses may also come to mind.
Jeff Seidel, Evan Petzold | Detroit Free Press LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers have traded so many players over the last few years — and they’ve gotten so many back in return — that it’s hard to keep every deal and every player straight. Then, here comes Zack Short, the guy they got last summer in
It has been information overload here at Motor City Bengals as we get ready for another season of Detroit Tigers baseball. Between our various prospects reports to even getting you ready for the MLB Draft with our college baseball preview, we are trying to cover all the bases (pun intended)
Are you a fan of highlight-reel defense? The outfields of the American League Central certainly have you covered. How about tape-measure blasts? These clubs have got something for you there, too. The White Sox appear primed to make a big push for the division title, and that outfield should be as entertaining as any in
Jeff Seidel | Detroit Free Press Show Caption Hide Caption Niko Goodrum explains value in versatility, as preached by Detroit Tigers’ AJ Hinch Detroit Tigers utility player Niko Goodrum explains Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, the value of taking on multiple positions under new manager AJ Hinch. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press LAKELAND, Fla. — A
Evan Petzold | Detroit Free Press LAKELAND, Fla. — Right-hander Julio Teheran constantly had to fight with his body last season. His arm and his legs weren’t in sync and his mechanics weren’t consistent. Those things are supposed to come naturally. The 30-year-old finished 2020 for the Los Angeles Angles with a 10.05 ERA, 1.755 WHIP, 20 strikeouts
When you think of an Opening Day starter, odds are you envision your team’s ace, the franchise player or a standout All-Star for the club. But sometimes, the first hurler of the year is unexpected — a star in a uniform he didn’t wear for long, or a less-decorated pitcher with a shorter career. As
Chris McCosky | The Detroit News Lakeland, Fla. – Tigers manager AJ Hinch has been impressed with what he’s seen so far of Niko Goodrum. “He might be the most graceful athlete we have in our group,” Hinch said. “He’s put together pretty good, just a great-looking athlete, and that’s going to translate to the field.”
Darryl Strawberry had some amazing moments in his MLB career. From coming up as the number one prospect in the game with the Mets to winning multiple World Series’ with the crosstown Yankees, Strawberry experienced it all. Take a look back at some of the best moments of his career. Don’t forget to subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/MLBClassics
The Detroit Tigers have made headlines recently, ranking high on various prospects list which manager AJ Hinch has told his players to ignore and rightfully so. No one wins a trophy for it. While we have our Opening Day projections out, there are a few names that not named Spencer Torkelson or Riley Greene that…