Detroit Tigers 2014 Roster & Projected Batting Order
Another season of Detroit Tiger baseball is about to kickoff! In recent years, our beloved Tigers have captured division and league championships. That’s great, but in 2014…it’s World Series or bust. This year’s club is certainly capable, but there are a few questions heading into the 2014 season. How will the new look Tigers gel? (Scouting the 2014 additions) Jim Leyland, one of the most experienced managers, exits stage left. In his place, rookie manager and Tigers alumnus, Brad Ausmus. How will Ausmus perform as manager of one of the league’s favorites? How will the Tiger offense of 2014 compare to the mashers of 2013? How will Castellanos handle the transition and pressure of being an every day starter in the bigs? Need I go on?
Notable players missing from the 2014 Tigers roster; Prince Fielder, Omar Ifante, Jhonny Peralta, Ramon Santiago, Doug Fister, & Joaquin Benoit. Although there will certainly be members of that list that will be missed, the addition of Ian Kinsler’s Gold Glove, is a welcome sight. With the exit of Prince, Nick Castellanos takes over at the hot corner, allowing Miguel Cabrera to return to where he belongs, at first base. That move alone could squeeze a few more seasons out of Miggy’s golden bat. The Tigers also filled a gaping hole when they signed closer Joe Nathan. No more Papa Grande or Benoit heart attacks! A much quieter acquisition was outfielder Raja Davis, who will likely platoon with Andy Dirks in left field. Davis will see the bulk of his action against left handed pitchers, as he hit an impressive .319 average.
Here is the Detroit Tiger 40 man roster & non-roster invitees
| PLAYER | POSITION | HEIGHT | WEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|
| OUTFIELDERS | |||
| Rajai Davis | LF (vs LHP) | 5-9 | 195 |
| Andy Dirks | LF (Starter) | 6-0 | 195 |
| Daniel Fields | CF | 6-2 | 215 |
| Torii Hunter | RF (Starter) | 6-2 | 225 |
| Austin Jackson | CF (Starter) | 6-1 | 185 |
| Don Kelly | LF | 6-4 | 190 |
| Steven Moya | RF | 6-6 | 230 |
| INFIELDERS | |||
| Miguel Cabrera | 1B (Starter) | 6-4 | 240 |
| Ian Kinsler | 2B (Starter) | 6-0 | 200 |
| Jose Iglesias | SS (Starter) | 5-11 | 185 |
| Nick Castellanos | 3B (Starter) | 6-4 | 210 |
| Jordan Lennerton | 1B | 6-2 | 220 |
| Steve Lombardozzi | 2B | 6-0 | 200 |
| Francisco Martinez | 3B | 6-2 | 210 |
| Hernan Perez | 2B | 6-1 | 185 |
| Eugenio Suarez | SS | 5-11 | 180 |
| DH | |||
| Victor Martinez | 6-2 | 210 | |
| CATCHERS | |||
| Alex Avila | (Starter) | 5-11 | 210 |
| Ramon Cabrera | 5-8 | 197 | |
| Bryan Holaday | 6-0 | 205 | |
| PITCHERS | |||
| Jose Alvarez | LHP | 5-11 | 180 |
| Phil Coke | LHP | 6-1 | 210 |
| Casey Crosby | LHP | 6-5 | 225 |
| Ian Krol | LHP | 6-1 | 210 |
| Kyle Lobstein | LHP | 6-3 | 200 |
| Drew Smyly | LHP (SP) | 6-3 | 190 |
| Al Alburquerque | RHP | 6-0 | 190 |
| Joba Chamberlain | RHP | 6-2 | 250 |
| Melvin Mercedes | RHP | 6-3 | 250 |
| Justin Miller | RHP | 6-3 | 215 |
| Joe Nathan | RHP | 6-4 | 230 |
| Jose Ortega | RHP | 5-11 | 185 |
| Rick Porcello | RHP (SP) | 6-5 | 200 |
| Luke Putkonen | RHP | 6-6 | 215 |
| Evan Reed | RHP | 6-4 | 255 |
| Bruce Rondon | RHP | 6-3 | 275 |
| Anibal Sanchez | RHP (SP) | 6-0 | 205 |
| Max Scherzer | RHP (SP) | 6-3 | 220 |
| Jose Valdez | RHP | 6-1 | 200 |
| Justin Verlander | RHP (SP) | 6-5 | 225 |
| NON ROSTER INVITEES | |||
| Duane Below | |||
| Blaine Hardy | |||
| Jhan Martinez | |||
| Luis Marte | |||
| Robbie Ray | |||
| Eduardo Sanchez | |||
| Drew VerHagen | |||
| Craig Albernaz | |||
| Luis Exposito | |||
| James McCann | |||
| John Murrian | |||
| Devon Travis | |||
| Danny Worth | |||
| Ezequiel Carrera | |||
| Tyler Collins | |||
| Trevor Crowe |
(SP) – Projected Starting Rotation
Below, you will find my projections for the 2014 Detroit Tigers batting order. I’ve seen some analysts predicting that Cabrera will stay in the 3 hole, with Hunter hitting cleanup. I find it difficult to believe that you would put someone who hit just 17 homers last season in the 4 spot. Hopefully, Victor Martinez can stay healthy and offer some protection for Miggy. Others have also projected Austin Jackson to hold on to the leadoff spot…why? Jackson struck out 129 times last season, while Kinsler only wiffed 59 times with just 7 less at bats. Jackson should also perform better, without the pressure of having to start things off. While I’ve projected him in the 2 spot, I’m not sure that he doesn’t fall to the back end. To keep a slot in the top of the lineup, he’ll have to make contact and start swiping some bags. In 2013, Jackson stole just 8 bases, while Kinsler is only two seasons removed from a 30/30 season.
Projected Detroit Tigers Batting Order
Vs Right Handed Pitching
- Ian Kinsler [R]
- Austin Jackson [R]
- Torii Hunter [R]
- Miguel Cabrera [R]
- Victor Martinez [S]
- Andy Dirks [L]
- Nick Castellanos [R]
- Alex Avila [L]
- Jose Iglesias [R]
Vs Left Handed Pitching
- Ian Kinsler [R]
- Austin Jackson [R]
- Torii Hunter [R]
- Miguel Cabrera [R]
- Victor Martinez [S]
- Alex Avila [L]
- Raja Davis [R]
- Nick Castellanos [R]
- Jose Iglesias [R]
Motown Nate’s Ideal Lineup
- Ian Kinsler [R]
- Torii Hunter [R]
- Miguel Cabrera [R]
- Victor Martinez [S]
- Alex Avila [L]
- Austin Jackson [R]
- Andy Dirks [L]
- Nick Castellanos [R]
- Jose Iglesias [R]
UPDATE: 2/25/2014 For the first Spring Training game, the starting batting order was very similar to the one that I projected. Today’s starting batting order for the Detroit Tigers was…
- Ian Kinsler [R]
- Torii Hunter [R]
- Miguel Cabrera [R]
- Victor Martinez [S]
- Austin Jackson [R]
- Andy Dirks [L]
- James McCann [R]
- Nick Castellanos [R]
- Jose Iglesias [R]
Have your say!
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