Saturday, December 28, 2019

Uncustomed Heroes of 2019: Tigers


I didn't think the Detroit Tigers could get worse than they did in 2018, but with 114 losses compared to 98, I guess my expectations took a hit this year.

This year was so bad that one of the leading candidates for a post-season custom from the Tigers was Spencer Turnbull. Turnbull had seventeen losses, and a 1.436 WHIP. This is our marquee guy, folks.
Why Him in 2019?: Started 30 games in his rookie year.
2020 Prediction: Similar K numbers, but better W/L ratio. So...the team has to be better.

 And for the team to be better, the Tigers need to put trust on durable homegrown people, and not...a backup second baseman from the 2018 Reds who they shoved to first base. In response, Brandon Dixon hit .248 with 136 strikeouts.
Why Him in 2019?: Led the Tigers in home runs with FIFTEEN. LORD.
2020 Prediction: Won't have to start many games cause the Tigers will be better? Please?

 Making me a little more optimistic about future Tigers teams are two mid-year call-ups. Harold Castro was the first, and he was a middle infielder who hit .291 in 97 games, and was one of 4 Tigers to hit more than 100 hits.
Why Him in 2019?: Hit .310 and .318 in July and September respectively
2020 Prediction: Will be a utility man after losing a starting spot to Jonathan Schoop

The other amusing rookie was utility outfielder Victor Reyes, who was phased in around May and hit .326 over the course of the last two months of gameplay. He did finish the season with a .304 average and 25 RBIs, which isn't bad.
Why Him in 2019?: His numbers in September saved the team from being completely eradicated from relevance.
2020 Prediction: Will usurp JaCoby Jones' outfield spot and become a new team hero.

Coming Tomorrow- The best-hitting AL team of the year, those Minnesota Twins.

1 comment:

  1. The Tigers were so bad and had so many rookies playing all over the diamond that they were almost interchangeable. The also had two Castros, Willie and Harold. Both played some in the infield. Willie is the Castro in the picture above.

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