The first game of the Spring Training for the Tigers is finally upon us. Detroit is coming off a very successful season that concluded in a playoff birth due to a scorching hot conclusion to the regular season. With that success comes heightened expectations and lots of competition within the organization. Many positions have been secured, but a few remain up for the taking. Next we will highlight a few players to keep an eye on going into the first game of the Spring.

Kenta Maeda

Maeda will take the bump in the first game of Spring Training versus the Phillies. He was signed a 2 year deal in 2024 as an experienced innings eater, that could provide leadership to a young pitching staff. The end result of his season was a disaster. He transitioned to long relief, and eventually was un-usable by season’s end, finishing with an ERA north of 6, and a record of 3-7. Fast forward to this Spring, he will be given a second chance to regain his spot in the rotation. He has gotten off to a solid start at camp, regaining some of the velocity he lacked in his fastball last year. He was clocked at a max velocity of 92 so far. With the injury to Alex Cobb occurring prior to camp, he will have a good opportunity to make the team of out camp as a Starter.

Gleyber Torres

Gleyber Torres will without a shadow of doubt be the opening Day second baseman for the Tigers.He was signed this offseason, and remains the one addition to the lineup that was deficient of power from the right-handed side. His signing induced a domino effect that ultimately move Colt Keith off of second, and displace Torkelson off of first into a bench/DH role. This is a bold maneuver being that Torres ranks amongst the worst at his position. Early on, it will be interesting to see how he meshes amongst a group of infielders still new to their role. At the age of 28, Torres elected to take a pillow deal with Detroit over several long-term offers. He certainly has every incentive to play well this year in order so that he can maximize his value while he remains in his prime years physically. Torres is a two-time All-Star and has eclipsed 20 plus home-runs 4 separate times in his career and if he can regain that success he will cash in major dividends in the following offseason while pushing Detroit over the top.

Hao-Yu Lee

Hao-Yu-Lee is a international signee out of Taiwan by the Phillies back in 2021, as was acquired in the Michael Lorenzen deal back in 2023. At just 22 years of age, he is the 8th ranked prospect in the Tiger’s system, and has a albeit slim opportunity to make the team out of camp. Especially if he can defend it at 3rd. Lee is coming off strong season in 2024, that was cut short due to a back injury. Lee appeared in the Future’s Game this past season and has caught a lot of people’s eye so far in Camp. Lee has primarily played second base, but has been featured mostly at third this Spring.  Per Jon Morosi, I think he is someone that can really make excellent contact, loud contact, as a right-handed hitter. Maybe even a bit of a Placido Polanco that we saw with the Tigers years ago.” Lee could very well be the predecessor to Gleyber Torres at second, if he chooses to leave for the open market after this season.

Hao Yu Lee’s first home run of the 2024 season 🚀 pic.twitter.com/RSx3bLMkaR

— Milb Central (@milb_central) April 7, 2024

Trey Sweeney

Sweeney was acquired in the Jack Flaherty deal along with Thayron Liranzo. After a hot 11 game stint  in AAA Toledo, he was thrusted in the starting lineup amidst a playoff race, due to the season-ending injury to Javier Baez. Sweeney faired exceptionally well posting a 3 OAA in the field. Going into camp this year he will likely be the platoon option to give Javy a night off against right-handed pitching. Sweeney showed some power potential boasting a high hard hit rate, but struck out quite a bit in his debut season in the bigs. If he can cut down on his whiffs he can solidify a spot for the season. It’s being reported Baez will be ready for the Opening Day, so Sweeney’s spot on the 26 man roster is likely safe but not a given.