The sight of Javier Báez on the field at Comerica Park early Monday afternoon, hours before the Tigers’ series opener against the Padres, looked like a typical session of early infield work, especially with infield coach Joey Cora already out there. But then Báez ran out to shortstop and kept on going to center field. While Dillon Dingler and Andy Ibáñez took early batting practice on the field, Báez ran down fly balls from center, tracking flight paths on a windy afternoon. It was good prep work for the task now in front of him. While Jace Jung’s return to the Tigers at third base was the headline move from Monday’s roster shuttle, the secondary impact was just as interesting. With Ryan Kreidler optioned to Triple-A Toledo to make room for Jung on the 26-man roster, Báez is in line to essentially platoon with Riley Greene in center. He made his first career start in center field during the Tigers' 6-4 victory -- and sure enough, the ball found him immediately as he secured the first out of the game. What began as an experiment in Spring Training, moving the former Gold Glove infielder to center to gain flexibility for in-game roster moves, is now more like a timeshare at the spot. “We’ve been kind of building towards this over the last few weeks,” manager A.J. Hinch said Monday, “and even dating back in the spring, trying to cover our bases for a variety of decisions that we thought we were going to have to make.” |
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Báez has a lot to do with that. Not only has he shown an ability to handle the job, he has an enthusiasm for it that not many saw coming. His opportunity to play the position he handled growing up has helped set up a new phase to his career, transition from an everyday shortstop with an uncertain future to a versatile role player on a contending team. “We’re here to help the team,” Báez said. “Everybody’s available to help the team. There’s many times here to play different positions, and we have a lot of guys that can do it. “If I can stay healthy, I’ll do whatever, man. I can even catch if you need me.” Báez and Hinch talked about that last part in Spring Training. “One of the things that Javy has always been invested in is winning,” Hinch said. “And he asked what he needed to do to help this team win. You can go to adjustments at the plate, play clean defense, the baserunning that he brings. But the reality is, the biggest message was: We’re going to need you at multiple positions. And he was all-in, and I think he’s taken it in stride because he saw that our team was winning. It was important for him to contribute, and this was the best way for him. “It’s not frowned upon like maybe a decade ago, where you’re not anchoring one position. In fact, it’s more of a compliment to be able to be the answer at a couple positions.” |
It's not just in the field where Báez has had a renewed impact. At the plate, free-swinging Báez of old has been tempered by a more discerning approach at the plate. He entered Monday with a 36 percent chase rate according to Statcast; it would be his lowest in a season since 2015 if he can maintain it. His 28.1 percent whiff rate would be his lowest in a season since 2016. His 48.5 percent swing rate, while still above the MLB average, would be the first time under 51 percent since his rookie season of 2014, according to FanGraphs. “Making adjustments,” Báez said a couple weeks ago, “just trying to be patient and trying to see the ball through the zone. I’m trying to work on my timing, not the pitchers’ timing.” That selectivity comes with a trade-off. By reducing his all-out swings, his hard-hit rate has predictably dropped, down to 28.6 percent entering Monday – placing him in the bottom 10 percent among MLB hitters according to Statcast. Similarly, his average exit velocity is down to 86 miles per hour. His strikeout and walk rates, meanwhile, have had minor improvements. The upshot so far has been more contact, and more of a chance to use his speed and athleticism. “I think small wins are important for players,” Hinch said, “and I think Javy fits in that. When he wins the first pitch, the at-bats get better and better. So rather than the wild swings early in the count, you’ve seen him take a few more pitches. That’s led to better counts. It’s in there, and he needs to be reminded to stay with it regardless of the outcome of the at-bat.” |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Royals was the first time the Tigers were involved in a game with 19 or more combined hits and none for extra bases since Aug. 15, 1992, when Detroit and Texas combined for 20 singles in a 10-3 Tigers win in Arlington. Who led the Tigers in hitting that night? A. Rico Brogna B. Travis Fryman C. Scott Livingstone D. Mickey Tettleton |
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CARPENTER BOBBLEHEAD SATURDAY |
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With Kerry Carpenter avoiding a stint on the injured list for his right hamstring strain, he has a chance to be in the lineup for his bobblehead day on Saturday. The first 15,000 fans through the gates at Comerica Park for the 1:10 p.m. ET game against the Orioles will receive a Kerry Carpenter bobblehead featuring his home-run celebration. Visit tigers.com/tickets for more information. |
FROM ONE HALL OF FAMER TO ANOTHER |
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Congrats to Riley Greene, who was inducted into the West Michigan Whitecaps Hall of Fame this past offseason. On Monday, he received his induction trophy in the Tigers clubhouse from Baseball Hall of Famer and Tigers special assistant Alan Trammell. Greene played in 24 games with the Whitecaps in the summer of 2019 after being drafted by the Tigers fifth overall that June out of high school. |
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B. Fryman went 4-for-5 with three RBIs. The only other multi-hit game from Detroit that night came from Dan Gladden, who went 2-for-4. |
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