Akil Baddoo has been caught on the Detroit-Toledo shuttle for over a year. Each time, he finds a way to make a difference. Whether or not fans fully appreciate it, his teammates and coaches do. “He’s awesome,” Spencer Torkelson said. “It’s not easy to be down in Triple-A and then to get the callup and contribute immediately. I’ve always admired the way he went about his business. You could put him in Single-A, and I think he’d be the same guy. He’s that type of dude.” On Sunday, that difference was on defense. From a leaping catch at Rogers Centre’s left-field fence to a sliding grab on the artificial turf to start an inning-ending double play, Baddoo helped rookie starter Jackson Jobe through a challenging first inning against the Blue Jays by playing a role in all three outs. “That play in left field changes the whole complexion of the beginning of the game,” manager A.J. Hinch said after the Tigers’ win. “It went from us being in trouble early to us getting out of innings. Those plays are huge.” Said Baddoo: “The first one, I was just hoping and praying. I was like, ‘Oh, I caught that ball.’” Baddoo went back and forth between Triple-A Toledo and the big leagues five times last season. He was up with Detroit for three days in one stint, four days another time, six days for another and another time for over a month. Famously, he flew cross-country last August to San Francisco then batted leadoff for a day game against the Giants. |
Baddoo was designated for assignment last fall to open a 40-man roster spot, but he signed back with the club on a Minor League deal. He probably would’ve been part of the Tigers’ Opening Day plans with all the outfield injuries in Spring Training, but Baddoo himself was injured, having undergone surgery to repair a hamate hook fracture in his right hand in late February. After an early April rehab assignment at Single-A Lakeland, he joined Toledo on April 15, posted an .820 OPS in 21 games for the Mud Hens and earned the call last week when the Tigers optioned out third baseman Jace Jung. How does Baddoo handle it so effectively? He knows exactly what the Tigers expect from him. “I think me playing with these guys for a very long time, I’m comfortable and familiar with this organization and the players and the staff,” Baddoo said. “When I come up here, it’s always the same game plan, and they make my job a lot easier when I come up. They’re like, ‘Akil, play your game, be athletic, go out there, run balls out, steal bags and get us in scoring position. Use your athletic ability and have fun.’” Who knows how long this stint will last for Baddoo. With Matt Vierling expected to return from the injured list at some point this week, Wenceel Pérez on a rehab assignment and Parker Meadows not far off, the Tigers will have some difficult decisions in the outfield over the next few weeks. But Baddoo’s flexibility to weather the unpredictability of his role is a clear strength. Said catcher Dillon Dingler: “It’s awesome that he can step right in and do what he’s known to do.” |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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The Tigers have won all eight of Jobe’s starts this season, the longest such streak ever to begin a Tigers pitcher’s career. Sunday’s win at Toronto broke a tie with Howie Koplitz, who started seven Tigers victories from 1961-62. Which Hall of Fame pitcher did Koplitz beat in his first Major League start on the next-to-last day of the 1961 season? A. Whitey Ford
B. Jim Kaat
C. Gaylord Perry
D. Early Wynn |
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Congratulations to former Tigers greats Kirk Gibson and Ron LeFlore, who were elected on Monday to the Shrine of the Eternals at the Baseball Reliquary, a nonprofit educational organization that fosters an appreciation of American art and culture through baseball history. The Shrine of the Eternals focuses on distinctive players, unique characters and personalities and impressions made on the baseball landscape. Others in the 2025 induction class are longtime Major League manager and former Tigers coach Felipe Alou and W.P. Kinsella, whose book “Shoeless Joe” was adapted into the movie “Field of Dreams.” Past inductees include former Tiger Mark Fidrych. LeFlore and Gibson were great characters, as well as great players. LeFlore’s incredible rise from prison to Major League All-Star was the subject of a book and a TV movie. Gibson was described in the Reliquary’s Facebook post on the induction class as “one of the roughest, toughest and gruffest badasses ever to play” in the Major Leagues. The induction ceremony is Nov. 16. |
LUDACRIS POSTGAME CONCERT ON JUNE 13 |
The Tigers’ Friday night Interleague matchup on June 13 against the Reds will be followed by a concert by hip-hop artist Ludacris, part of Black in Baseball Weekend. It’s the first full-fledged postgame concert at Comerica Park, following success of two shorter postgame performances last season. Fans who have game tickets can stay in their seat for the concert or upgrade to field access with a VIP field pass or ticket package, which includes a Detroit Tigers chain. First pitch between the Tigers and Reds is at 7:10 p.m. ET. For tickets or more information, go to tigers.com/Ludacris. |
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B. Kaat
Koplitz, who gave up four runs (three unearned) on seven hits over five innings in a rain-shortened game, outdueled the 22-year-old Kaat, who was roughed up for six runs (five earned) in 2 1/3 innings in the Tigers’ 6-4 win over the Twins on a Saturday morning at Metropolitan Stadium. |
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