Detroit Tigers 2011: Breakdown of Projected Starting Lineup and Utility Players
Now that Spring Training is here we can eagerly look forward to the 2011 baseball season.
The Detroit Tigers once again have put themselves in a good position to make a run in the AL Central, and they have added some firepower to an already strong lineup.
There are still many questions and doubts about many of the players though, but there is also a great hope and optimism when looking at the 2011 Tigers roster.
Here’s a breakdown of the 2011 Detroit Tigers projected starting lineup, as well as a look at their utility players in the field.
CF Austin Jackson
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Jackson is the Tigers brightest young star and he has the potential to improve on a very impressive rookie campaign.
He is already one of the best center fielders in the league as far as covering the outfield is concerned, but he’s going to have to improve on his hitting in order to be a truly great leadoff hitter.
I’m expecting that we will see many great things from Austin Jackson in 2011.
LF Ryan Rayburn
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Rayburn came on at the end of last season and showed Detroit that he has got home run power in that bat of his.
I have questions about his consistency at the plate though, and he is somewhat underwhelming in the outfield.
Overall he is a solid player, but not the answer in my opinion.
RF Magglio Ordonez
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Ordonez is far from the player that he used to be, but that being said he was one of the more consistent Tiger hitters last season when healthy.
He may have lost a bit on his swing and he definitely won’t be overwhelming anybody with his power anymore.
He is a good fundamental hitter though and I expect that he will produce for the Tigers.
"Maggs" leaves a lot to be desired in the outfield.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pulled in favor of a quicker defender in the later innings.
I don’t want him going down during the seventh inning stretch.
1B Miguel Cabrera
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Obviously lots of concern and attention has been paid to Miggy’s drinking escapades before spring training, but we can only hope that he will put that behind him and continue a path towards recovery.
Cabrera has the potential to be an MVP any given season, and he has the potential to crank the ball out of the park every time he steps in the batters box.
There will be extra motivation to prove that he is indeed over his problems and I think we will see Miggy take a run at the Triple Crown in 2011.
The other option is jail, and I’m hoping we avoid that scenario.
DH Victor Martinez
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Victor Martinez was the Tigers big free agent acquisition in the off-season.
He is a proficient catcher and he will be splitting time behind the plate.
Martinez’s biggest contributions will be at DH though with the protection in the batting order that he will be providing to the guys in front of him.
He very well could be the X-factor on this Tigers team.
2B Carlos Guillen
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I never told you that all of my breakdowns would be positive, and this is the part of the order where I really let the sparks fly.
Guillen has really worn out his welcome in my opinion and if he can stay healthy for half of this season I would be incredibly surprised.
When he’s on, he does bring a very powerful and experienced bat to the lineup, but that’s completely negated by his lack of production in the field.
I’m not comfortable whatsoever having him out at second base. He lacks the fundamental mobility and agility that it takes to play the middle of the infield.
You might as well throw one of the statues in center field out there.
SS Jhonny Peralta
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I might nickname Peralta “Guillen 2.0."
Having a guy like Peralta at arguably the most vital position on the field is incredibly scary to me, and I think it could come back to bite the Tigers.
He is a tad bit more mobile than Guillen, which is not all that encouraging, but he may be able to redeem himself on offense.
I think Peralta’s saving grace will be the spark he can provide to the bottom half of the lineup.
3B Brandon Inge
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Brandon Inge is a hero in Detroit, and he is everybody’s Tiger.
He’s brought a lot to the organization over the years, but the fact that they brought him back is truly puzzling to me.
His knees could give out on him right in front of our very eyes!
Yeah, of course we will all be cheering him on as he bombs out 15 home runs in the first half, but his disappearing act in the second half is becoming a tradition.
The Tigers need to get younger.
Inge needs to take up golf.
C Alex Avila
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Avila is just one of those guys that you love to root for.
I am starting to have doubts about the legitimacy of his campaign to be a starting catcher though, so he’s really going to have to step up and prove that he is capable of being “the guy”.
He needs to improve on almost every facet of his game.
I’m hoping that the added experience and maturity will do well for him, and we can watch him become a great young catcher in this league.
Brennan Boesch
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I truly love this guy, so I would be more than ecstatic to see him return to the player that he was before the All-Star break last year.
He has one of the most natural swings I have ever seen, and who doesn’t love a power lefty!
I think he’s going to get another chance to break the starting lineup.
Ramon Santiago
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I like to call Ramon Santiago “Old Reliable." He’s a solid and fundamental infielder, but he’s a train wreck to watch in the batter’s box.
I know he will always make the play in the field, and screw up at the plate.
Old Reliable!
Casper Wells
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He showed some signs in limited playing time last season, but I’m not holding my breath.
Scott Sizemore
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I wish he was Grady Sizemore.
So far Sizemore has been a disappointment for the Tigers.
He has not lived up anywhere near to the hype that he received coming out of the minors.
Will Rhymes
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Rhymes had some good moments in relief of second base last year.
To be honest though, he is just a glorified AAA player and I hope to never ever see him as an everyday guy for the Tigers.
Don Kelly
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I’m sure Don Kelly is a great guy, but I don’t necessarily feel comfortable when I see him in the outfield or up to bat.
He should only be used when a player desperately needs a rest.
Final Breakdown
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So there you have it, a quick look at the projected lineup for the 2011 Detroit Tigers, and a little bit of breakdown concerning the players.
Obviously the positions are all subject to change because you never really do know what will happen.
I’m excited for this 2011 baseball season though, and I think we are going to be in for a good ride watching the Tigers!
There are some obvious holes that need to be filled, and I would love to see the bottom third of the lineup be changed around.
All in all, it should be a very interesting season and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Tigers win the AL Central.
