Left field options for Detroit Tigers in 2013 – MLB News
In an introductory press conference two weeks ago, Detroit Tigers’ General Manager Dave Dombrowski said his team needed to address the need of a corner outfielder and the Tiger did that by agreeing on a two year $26 million deal with former
Los Angeles Angels’ outfielder Torii Hunter.
Hunter is expected to be the starting right fielder next season and he is likely to bat behind the leadoff hitter and starting centre fielder Austin Jackson.
Andy Dirks, who hit .322 with 8 home-runs and 35 RBI’s in 88 games last season, seems to be the Tigers’ best option to start in left. Although injuries halted his progress significantly last season. Dirks showed that he has the ability to play his natural
game under pressure.
Andy has a history of being effective against the right handed pitcher. In 2012, he hit .336 with five home-runs and 31 RBI’s in 261 at-bats. Against lefties, he hit .274 with three home-runs and four RBI’s. It will be interesting to see if he can continue
the good work as a left fielder in the next season.
"We want them to play a lot, though, if they make our club," Dombrowski said. "Garcia's going to start playing winter ball this weekend. Castellanos played in the Arizona Fall League. He could probably use a little a bit of break at this point."
"Garcia and Castellanos, if they make our club at the beginning of the spring, are going to have to get a lot of at-bats," Dombrowski said. "They're going to have to earn that spot by getting a lot of at-bats because they're young guys that we just don't
want to sit around."
However, the Tigers are unsure if Dirks can be an everyday player. Perhaps, there is a need to add another outfielder to the big league roster to give the Tigers the option to use Dirks as a backup fielder.
According to sources, Avisail Garcia who performed brilliantly in his rookie season last year (.319 with seven runs scored in 23 regular season games) and prospect Nick Castellanos could be in the mix for playing time in left. Castellanos has played left
field in the Arizona Fall League.
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