Detroit Tigers Postional Player Overview: Third Base

Detroit Tigers Prospect Positional Player Overview: Third Base

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After parting ways with fan favorite Jeimer Candelario, the Detroit Tigers faced a significant question heading into the past season: Who would play third base? No one in the minor leagues seemed ready to step up. The absence of third-base talent in the minors indicated that a clear answer might be months away, if it came at all. No solution materialized.

Scott Harris and A.J. Hinch tried various players, including Andy Ibanez, Nick Maton, Matt Vierling, Zack Short, and Andre Lipcius, but no one claimed the position. Whether due to injuries, limited playing time, or lackluster performance, the third-base spot remains wide open for next season, providing opportunities for minor leaguers like Ryan Kreidler, who retains his rookie status.

Another complexity in minor league infield positions is their fluidity. A player’s position is never guaranteed and can change at any point—whether immediately after being drafted, midway through the minors, or even during a player’s MLB career.

For example, Nick Castellanos started as a shortstop but transitioned to third base and then the outfield. Similarly, MLB superstar Bryce Harper moved from catcher to outfield upon joining the Washington Nationals. Hanley Ramirez played four different positions over his career. The key takeaway is that if a player can hit, a spot in the major leagues will be found for them.

Toledo

Beginning with Justyn-Henry Malloy, his future at third base remains uncertain. Acquired in a trade for Joe Jimenez last December, Malloy was expected to make his MLB debut in 2023. Despite several hot streaks, that moment never came. Malloy showcased impressive hitting stats, slashing .277/.417/.474 and boasting an elite 18% walk rate, compared to the Triple-A league average of 9.9%. He was also named International League All-Star in 2023 at third.  Yet, his defense is a concern, as he split his time between left and right field last year. While his future position is still in question, his advanced metrics make him a promising candidate for a Detroit roster spot by Opening Day on March 28.

Ryan Kreidler, another infielder with a murky future, seeks to solidify his role at third base for the Tigers next season. Kreidler started as the Tigers’ third baseman on Opening Day this year and produced an .810 OPS in 49 games with Toledo. His defensive skills are near-elite; however, his long-term role in the organization remains undetermined.

Other notable players in Toledo fitting the third base profile include Andre Lipcius and Colt Keith, who will also spend considerable time at second base.

Erie

The 2023 Erie SeaWolves boasted numerous top prospects en route to their Eastern League championship. A contributing factor to their 75-62 regular-season record was their ability to adapt to multiple positions swiftly. Colt Keith was the team’s primary third baseman until his promotion to Toledo. Luis Santana took over the hot corner afterward, slashing .240/.288/.457 and accumulating 310 innings at third base.

Trei Cruz and Danny Serretti also spent brief stints at third base throughout the season. Jace Jung, who is playing third for the first time in his career in the Arizona Fall League, is another name to consider.  He may earn consideration for the position in the future due to the Tigers really not having a set player and would like to see what he could do from 3rd.  Jung posted 28 home runs between Erie and Lakeland and produced a 154 wRC+ with Erie this past season. His long-term position remains undetermined, but he is off to a good start for Salt Lake.

MLB’s No. 67 prospect Jace Jung (@tigers) picks up his first RBIs in the @MLBazFallLeague: pic.twitter.com/xfba02U3BZ

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 6, 2023

West Michigan

The third baseman this season in West Michigan was a lot more clear, with Izaac Pacheco starting 92 games at third. Pacheco has an extremely strong arm. If anybody in the organization is fit to toss a baseball from the hot corner to first, it’s Pacheco. He does have some accuracy issues, as he did have 19 errors in 257 chances at third base this season. On the other hand, his hitting has been lackluster. Pacheco slashed .211/.284/.352 and a 79 wRC+. Pacheco has a lot of upsides, especially in terms of power, but with two ho-hum seasons in a row, a total mechanical revamp is going to be made to progress through the system.

We must note Carlos Mendoza. He is completely undersized for the stereotypical third baseman, but he played a fair share of games at third. He doesn’t hit for much power due to his short stature, but he has elite plate discipline. Mendoza put up a .397 on-base percentage this year between West Michigan and Lakeland. He also put up a .425 OBP last year, splitting time with the same two teams. Mendoza turns 24 this December, so he may be more of an organization piece than a prospect but an underrated player without a doubt.

Lakeland

In Lakeland, a variety of players shuffled through third base. Cristian Santana, the Tigers’ significant international signing two winters ago, played 35 games at third base, in contrast to 33 at shortstop and 24 at second. Observers, like our very own Chris Brown, say Santana’s arm strength may relegate him to middle infield roles as he ascends through the Tigers’ minor league system.

Adinso Reyes, a once-top international free agent for the Detroit Tigers, split his time between Lakeland and the FCL Tigers, producing a sub .700 OPS. While Reyes spent only a few games at third, his arm strength makes him a viable option for the position. Other prospects who saw limited action at third base include Abel Bastidas, Jim Jarvis, and Peyton Graham. Expect these players to primarily man second base and shortstop but don’t discount their potential at third.

FCL and DSL

In the Florida Complex League, Yimmy Diaz was the Tigers’ everyday third baseman. He appeared in 49 games in 2022, with 20 of those at third base, posting a .763 OPS. However, Diaz struggled this past season, his OPS plummeting to .589 over 35 games. Despite his lackluster batting average of .191, Diaz managed a promising .353 OBP, although this figure requires cautious interpretation due to inconsistent pitching in the FCL.

Carson Rucker, a recent fourth-round Tigers draft pick, logged only two games at third base in the Complex League. Still, his profile suggests he could spend more time at third base as he progresses to West Michigan and Erie. Rucker produced a slash line of .242/.390/.364 in 41 plate appearances and could land on Lakeland’s opening day roster in 2024.

The Dominican Summer League featured Justin Rodriguez, who started 41 games for the Tigers but struggled with a .204/.316/.254 slash line. Luis Watter, a recent addition to the Tigers’ organization, posted an impressive .325/.407/.405 slash line, spending most of his time at third base and occasionally in the outfield.

Recap

The Detroit Tigers have a plethora of players capable of filling the third base role in their minor league system, yet there is no standout prospect solely focused on third. Jace Jung, despite not having professional experience at third, presents a higher likelihood of occupying the position for the Tigers than many other prospects in the system. Justyn-Henry Malloy remains the closest option as the Tigers’ future third baseman, despite questions about his defensive abilities.

Most lower-level prospects in the Tigers’ system are versatile, capable of playing shortstop and second base in addition to third. This flexibility could prove beneficial for the Tigers, who have vacancies at these positions in the upcoming season. Players like Carson Rucker and Cristian Santana are worth monitoring closely. Both possess power potential and are just a breakout season away from showing critical skills that could benefit the Detroit Tigers.

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