Sydney McKinney-Williams, Staff Writer
Detroit Tigers Spring training field in Lakeland, FL. Photo//USA TODAY Sports, Mike Walters
The Tigers are gearing up for their first matchup of spring training against the Yankees on February 24th, and preparations are in full swing. The Tigers have invited 18 new players from across the country to bring on to the spring training roster.
The Tigers are also coming off the retirement of longtime franchise player Miguel Cabrera, who retired in October. However, he is not too far gone as he now works for the Tigers as a Special Assistant to the President of Baseball Operations.
While the Tigers didn’t make many large splashes ahead of the off-season, they have made some roster changes. Pitchers Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty were signed to the team, and high-end prospect Colt Keith was also given a six-year contract extension.
The team is definitely taking on more of a focus on bringing in new young talent, which they hope pays off well. A similar tactic was used by the Detroit Lions in recent years, choosing to build primarily through the draft, so there is evidence that with the right support the Tigers can follow the same model.
After the Tigers play the New York Yankees in their first match up, they are up against the Houston Astros on the 26th, and the Toronto Blue Jays on the 27th to end the month.
People are excited to see what the Tigers are going to bring to the field during spring training. It will also be interesting to see how all of it carries over into the regular season.
Here is a full list of the 58-player roster:
Left-handed pitchers (8): Andrew Chafin, Sean Guenther, Tyler Holton, Brant Hurter, Kolton Ingram, Tarik Skubal, Andrew Vasquez, Joey Wentz.
Right-handed pitchers (24): Drew Anderson, Beau Brieske, Miguel Diaz, Mason Englert, Alex Faedo, Jack Flaherty, Wilmer Flores, Jason Foley, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Brenan Hanifee, Garrett Hill, Jackson Jobe, Alex Lange, Ty Madden, Kenta Maeda, Matt Manning, Shelby Miller, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, Reese Olson, Devin Sweet, Will Vest, Brendan White, Trey Wingenter.
Catchers (6): Eliezer Alfonzo, Anthony Bemboom, Dillon Dingler, Carson Kelly, Jake Rogers, Donny Sands.
Infielders (11): Javier Báez, Andy Ibañez, Jace Jung, Colt Keith, Ryan Kreidler, Eddys Leonard, Andre Lipcius, Zach McKinstry, Wenceel Perez, Spencer Torkelson, Matt Vierling.
Outfielders (9): Akil Baddoo, Justice Bigbie, Mark Canha, Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Bligh Madris, Justyn-Henry Malloy, Parker Meadows, Ryan Vilade.
Players on the 40-man roster are in bold. Spring invitees are in italics.