Ben Malgeri will make the Opening Day Roster

Ben Malgeri is a former 18th round pick in 2021, and spent his entire 2024 season in AA Erie. He has gotten off to an exceptional start at the plate. Through 6 at bats, he has 1 homerun and 7 RBIs. Good for an .833 average and a 2.333 OPS. Malgeri appeared in 117 games last year and posted a slash-line of .252/.323/.409. He defended all over the outfield pretty evenly but his primary position is centerfield. Malgeri is slated to start the year in AAA Toledo, but with the recent injuries to Matt Vierling, Akil Baddoo and Parker Meadows this Spring, his likelihood of making the Opening Day roster will get better and better. Especially if he continues to rake. Malgeri is a non-roster invitee, and the Tiger’s would have to make room in order for him to make it. If Meadows or Vierling start the year on the IL, that would create the space they need.

Kenta Maeda is Back

After a terrible season last year, Maeda returned to the mound last week with a strong 2 inning outing, where he didn’t allow a single hit. In addition he struck out four batters and topped out on the gun at 93 mph with his four seam fastball. This is major upgrade in velocity from last year where he frequently hovered around the high 80s. Detroit would like to make good on the remaining year on his contract where he will make $12 million.

Casey Mize will live up to the Hype

Casey Mize also had a favorable outing in his debut start on February 23rd. Mize went 2 innings, allowing 2 hits, and striking out 3 batters. Mize maxed out at 98 mph on his fastball, and also highlighted a newly developed splitter. Battery-mate Dillon Dingler states, “The (velocity) differential is small but it’s just enough to miss a barrel. It seems like a fastball until it’s not.” In addition Mize showcased 3 different shapes on his slider, one of which caught Paul Goldschmidt looking for a strikeout on a 3-2 count. Mize had great command throwing 24 of his 34 pitches for strikes. He is going into second full season post elbow and back surgery, and is another viable candidate for a deep starting pitching staff.

Jace Jung is the everyday 3rd Basemen

Jung has had a strong start to Spring. His first two at-bats were hard hit line drives to right field. The first hit nearly left the park, landing just shy of the wall, at the warning track. Equally important has been his play defensively, at third. Jung has made several dazzling plays, diving to either side, and hurling the ball to first for put-outs. It appears that Jung has made a full recovery from orthoscopic surgery on his throwing elbow this Winter.

Colt Keith with a nice dig at first on a low throw from Jace Jung. pic.twitter.com/6I5ELdStmT

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) February 23, 2025

Matt Manning will start in AAA Toledo

Matt Manning had a rough outing in his debut appearance this Spring versus the Philadelphia Phillies. He threw 47 pitches, in parts of the 2nd and 3rd inning. Manning allowed 3 ER on 3 hits. He struggled with his command, walking 4 batters. When questioned regarding his control Manning stated, “Everything feels really good,”. “I’ve been known to be in the zone — a guy that’s in the zone a lot — so I don’t really worry about it.” In 5 starts at the Major League level last year, he had a walk rate of 10%, which is slightly above league average. As he stated he is a pitcher known to be around the zone, so if he can get back to that form he is a sure fire candidate to secure a backend starting position. If not that, then one of the first to be called up in the case of an inevitable injury.