Detroit Tigers: Prince Fielder and 5 Players to Be Excited About in 2012

The Detroit Tigers will be one of the most exciting baseball teams out there in 2012. New addition Prince Fielder joins a completely loaded lineup that will be the most prolific in the game.

The Tigers are now preseason World Series contenders, but to win, they will need five very exciting players to step up and wow fans in 2012.

Prince Fielder, First Base

Fielder is the Tiger's big offseason addition.  Is he the missing piece to an elusive World Series championship?

Detroit decided to sign Fielder after their all-star designated hitter Victor Martinez tore his ACL.  Fielder is a dynamic left-handed hitter capable of mashing between 40-50 home runs behind Miguel Cabrera.

That makes the Tigers' lineup the most exciting in baseball and it can only get better when Martinez returns in 2013.

There are concerns about Fielder's defense, so he'll need to prove to fans that he can play at least average defense at first base.  Considering how bad Cabrera will be at third, the Tigers will need it.

Nonetheless, it's all about offense for Detroit and Fielder will bring plenty of it in 2012.

Jacob Turner, Starting Pitching Prospect

Turner is Detroit's best prospect and one of the keys to the Tigers' future.  If he performs well in 2012, that will be something very, very exciting for Tigers fans.

Turner has No. 2 pitcher stuff, makeup and durability.  The Tigers' plan is to develop him behind Justin Verlander and make him a cornerstone of a long-term rotation featuring Verlander, Turner, Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello.

So, as important as Prince Fielder and the Tigers offense will be, watch out for Turner and his development.  If he lives up to the hype, he will help anchor one of the best rotations in the majors.

Miguel Cabrera, Third Base

Prince Fielder might be the new addition, but Cabrera remains the key to the Tigers' chances in 2012.

Cabrera is the best Tigers player and may be the best hitter in baseball.  He hits for over a .300 average, walks plenty and bombs 30-40 home runs per year.  He is a complete offensive player.

The biggest concern is that Cabrera's defense at third base will be unspeakably horrible.  The bet here is that the Tigers will move him to designated hitter quickly and then deal Victor Martinez in the offseason next year.  

Still, defense aside, it's Cabrera's offense that is critical and his tandem with Fielder might be the best in baseball.

Alex Avila, Catcher

Avila was the Tiger's biggest surprise in 2011.  He was one of the majors' best catchers offensively and behind the plate, and showed all-star ability.

Avila is critical to the Tigers' success.  With Victor Martinez out, the Tigers need him to be a strong middle-of-the-order bat behind Cabrera and Fielder.  Even more importantly, they need him to work efficiently with the pitching staff to offset what will be some of the worst fielding defense in baseball.

Austin Jackson, Center Fielder

Jackson will need to develop into an exciting all-star center fielder for the Tigers to play to their potential.

The centerpiece of the Curtis Granderson trade, Jackson had an exciting 2010 rookie season, but regressed in 2011.  He is a plus defender in center field, which the Tigers desperately need, but his strikeout totals were unacceptably high in 2011.

He needs to cut down on his strikeouts and hit close to .300 average in the leadoff spot.  If Jackson can do that in 2012, the Tigers will be very, very dangerous.