DETROIT – Everyone who was invited to Detroit Tigers spring training this year has officially arrived at camp, and it’s a fun mix of familiar faces, prospects, trade acquisitions, and free agent signings.
President Scott Harris and general manager Jeff Greenberg didn’t have a flashy offseason. They weren’t even as active as the rebuilding Royals and White Sox. But they made some key moves to improve the team and keep paths open for younger players.
The result is a spring that comes with some promise. It’s not just the yearly dose of false hope, either. Detroit has a roster that, on paper, could compete for the AL Central.
Starting this weekend, the Tigers will play 34 exhibition games over the course of four and a half weeks. And even the diehard fans are going to come across some names they don’t recognize.
So here’s a brief introduction to your spring Tigers -- all 59 players who have been invited to camp.
NOTE: This story has been updated to remove Kolton Ingram (who was designated for assignment on Tuesday afternoon) and add T.J. Hopkins (who was claimed by the Tigers).
Jake Rogers
- Role: Starting catcher
- How he got here: Justin Verlander trade with Astros in August 2017.
Rogers hit 21 home runs last season and played strong defense behind the plate. He’ll open the season as the team’s No. 1 catcher.
Spencer Torkelson
- Role: Starting first baseman.
- How he got here: First-round draft pick in 2020.
The former No. 1 overall pick hit 14 home runs in his last 45 games last season to reach the 30-homer mark. He’s the long-term starter at first base.
Colt Keith
- Role: Likely starting second baseman.
- How he got here: Fifth-round draft pick in 2020.
Detroit gave Keith a six-year contract extension with three team options this offseason before he even made his debut. If he holds his own this spring, he’ll be the Opening Day starter at second base.
Matt Vierling
- Role: Possible starting third baseman or utility infielder/outfielder.
- How he got here: Gregory Soto trade with Phillies in January 2023.
Vierling will be a regular in the Tigers’ lineup this season, but his exact role will be determined this spring. His best-case scenario is winning the starting third base job outright, but he could also fall into a platoon and remain in the mix at all three outfield spots.
Javier Baez
- Role: Starting shortstop.
- How he got here: Signed as free agent in December 2021.
Baez opted into the final four years of his contract and will start at shortstop.
Mark Canha
- Role: Starting outfielder, likely in left field.
- How he got here: Trade with Brewers in November 2023.
The Tigers began the offseason by acquiring the veteran outfielder, and he’ll likely start in a corner. His exact defensive role depends more on how other players perform this spring, like Vierling, Kerry Carpenter, and Justyn-Henry Malloy.
Parker Meadows
- Role: Likely starting center fielder.
- How he got here: Second-round draft pick in 2018.
Tigers fans got an exciting glimpse of Meadows late last season, and he’s the favorite to start 2024 as the everyday guy in center field.
Riley Greene
- Role: Starting outfielder, likely in right field.
- How he got here: First-round draft pick in 2019.
If he stays healthy, Greene will probably be the best everyday player on this team. If Meadows starts in center, Greene can thrive in a corner outfield spot.
Kerry Carpenter
- Role: Starting designated hitter and corner outfielder.
- How he got here: 19th-round draft pick in 2019.
Carpenter wasn’t awful in the outfield last season, but it’s not his strength. It’s crowded out there, so Carpenter might have to spend quite a bit of time at designated hitter.
Akil Baddoo
- Role: Competing for reserve outfielder spot.
- How he got here: Selected from Twins in December 2020 rule 5 draft.
Baddoo can be a very valuable player, but two of the presumed outfield starters -- Meadows and Greene -- both hit left handed. And McKinstry is a lefty who can play both infield and outfield. This is an important spring for Baddoo’s future in Detroit.
Zach McKinstry
- Role: Possible strong side of third base platoon and likely utility infielder/outfielder.
- How he got here: Trade with Cubs in March 2023.
Since he can play all three (non-first base) infield positions and all three outfield positions, so he’s going to be on the roster, barring a total spring disaster. His best-case scenario is getting starts at third base against right-handed pitchers.
Andy Ibanez
- Role: Outside chance to be starting second baseman and likely utility infielder/outfielder.
- How he got here: Selected off waivers from Rangers in November 2022.
Ibanez was very solid for the Tigers last season and can play both infield and outfield. He’s a nice right-handed compliment to McKinstry, though he probably won’t play shortstop or center field. He can fill in at first base, too.
Carson Kelly
- Role: Backup catcher.
- How he got here: Signed as free agent in August 2023.
The Tigers exercised their option on Kelly, so he’s the presumptive backup to Rogers.
Tarik Skubal
- Role: Ace starting pitcher.
- How he got here: Ninth-round draft pick in 2018.
If he’s healthy, Skubal is the obvious Opening Day starter for the Tigers.
Kenta Maeda
- Role: Locked into starting rotation.
- How he got here: Signed as free agent in November 2023.
Maeda made the jump from Minnesota to Detroit and will be relied upon in the heart of the starting rotation.
Jack Flaherty
- Role: Locked into starting rotation.
- How he got here: Signed as free agent in December 2023.
This year’s reclamation project for Chris Fetter, Flaherty is looking to bounce back from a rough season in St. Louis and Baltimore. He’s locked in as the No. 3 starter.
Matt Manning
- Role: Competing for spot in starting rotation.
- How he got here: First-round draft pick in 2016.
Manning’s results haven’t been terrible when he’s actually on the mound, but that hasn’t been nearly often enough. His spot in the starting rotation doesn’t feel guaranteed.
Casey Mize
- Role: Likely member of starting rotation, but in a limited capacity.
- How he got here: First-round draft pick in 2018.
It’s hard to see a scenario where Mize doesn’t make the roster in some capacity, but he’s probably going to be severely limited in terms of innings after missing two seasons.
Reese Olson
- Role: Competing for spot in starting rotation.
- How he got here: Daniel Norris trade with Brewers in July 2021.
Before the Tigers signed Maeda and Flaherty, Olson looked like a lock to make the starting rotation. Now his role is more in question after a strong rookie season. He could piggyback with Mize, but both are right-handed, so it’s not a perfect fit.
Alex Lange
- Role: Locked into bullpen -- closer.
- How he got here: Nick Castellanos trade with Cubs in July 2019.
Lange needs to get the walks under control, but he’s a dominant pitcher and well-suited for the ninth inning.
Jason Foley
- Role: Locked into bullpen -- high-leverage reliever.
- How he got here: Signed as amateur free agent in August 2016.
A.J. Hinch trusts Foley in pretty much any situation. He’s one of the team’s top high-leverage relievers.
Tyler Holton
- Role: Locked into bullpen -- high-leverage reliever.
- How he got here: Selected off waivers from Diamondbacks in February 2023.
Maybe the MVP of last year’s team, Holton came over from Arizona and dominated both lefties and righties. He led all Tigers relievers in innings and could do so again.
Andrew Chafin
- Role: Locked into bullpen -- late-inning reliever.
- How he got here: Signed as free agent in December 2023.
After one season apart, Chafin is back in Detroit and looking to resume his role as a high-leverage reliever against lefties.
Shelby Miller
- Role: Locked into bullpen -- middle relief.
- How he got here: Signed as free agent in December 2023.
Last season was the first time Miller was healthy for nearly a decade, so his potential as a reliever is still unknown. He’ll get a chance to pitch important innings, though.
Beau Brieske
- Role: Competing for spot as long reliever in bullpen.
- How he got here: 27th-round draft pick in 2019.
A starter in 2022 as a rookie, Brieske returned from a long injury absence last year and was touching 100 mph as a reliever. If he makes the Opening Day roster, he’ll be the guy who can give Hinch multiple innings out of the pen.
Will Vest
- Role: Likely to make bullpen in middle relief.
- How he got here: Returned to Tigers from Mariners in July 2021 after they selected him in rule 5 draft. Originally a 12th-round draft pick by Detroit in 2017.
It’s hard to argue with Vest’s results. He was excellent last season in a major role for the Tigers and should be on the roster if he doesn’t have a disastrous spring.
Joey Wentz
- Role: Competing for spot as piggyback partner with Mize or other bullpen role.
- How he got here: Shane Greene trade with Braves in July 2019.
The Tigers desperately want Wentz to earn the piggyback role with Mize, because it would be an advantage to run a lefty out there after a few innings. But he was brutal last season and should have to prove himself in the spring. A further complication is that he’s out of minor-league options, so if he doesn’t make the team, the Tigers will likely lose him on waivers.
Alex Faedo
- Role: Competing for spot in bullpen or heading to Toledo as depth starter.
- How he got here: First-round draft pick in 2017.
It’s been a frustrating first couple whiffs of MLB action for Faedo. His slider grades out as elite, but the rest of his arsenal has been inconsistent, and regular trips to the IL with various ailments haven’t helped.
Miguel Diaz
- Role: Competing for spot in bullpen.
- How he got here: Signed as minor-league free agent in November 2022.
Diaz earned 3.2 innings of work in Detroit in 2022 and 14 innings last season. He’s been excellent in both short stints, but the Triple-A numbers have been icky.
Brendan White
- Role: Competing for spot in bullpen, but dealing with elbow soreness.
- How he got here: 26th-round draft pick in 2019.
The surface numbers didn’t look good for White, but he struck out 44 batters in 40.2 innings as a rookie last year. Unfortunately, he’s been shut down for a short time with a sore elbow, so it seems unlikely he’ll be ready in time for Opening Day.
Mason Englert
- Role: Competing for spot in bullpen.
- How he got here: Selected from Rangers in December 2022 rule 5 draft.
The Tigers had to keep Englert on the active roster last season after they took him in the rule 5 draft, but his results don’t necessarily justify a sequel.
TJ Hopkins
- Role: Competing for reserve outfielder spot.
- How he got here: Selected off waivers from Giants in February 2024.
The Tigers selected Hopkins off waivers from the Giants on Tuesday, Feb. 20, and added him to the 40-man roster in favor of reliever Kolton Ingram. Hopkins posted a .411 OBP in 94 games at Triple-A last season before making his debut for the Reds. He was traded to the Giants for a player to be named later in December, and ultimately claimed by Detroit. He fits what the Tigers are looking for in their final bench spot: a right-handed hitter who can play both corner outfield positions.
Andre Lipcius
- Role: Competing for bench role.
- How he got here: Third-round draft pick in 2019.
Lipcius showed some nice flashes last spring and went 10-for-35 with a homer, three walks, and eight strikeouts in his first taste of MLB action last year. But he’ll need an incredible spring to crack the Opening Day roster.
Ryan Kreidler
- Role: Competing for bench role.
- How he got here: Fourth-round draft pick in 2019.
Kreidler is a strong defender at shortstop, but the bat doesn’t look like it’ll ever be good enough to become an everyday starter.
Wenceel Perez
- Role: Competing for bench role.
- How he got here: Signed as minor-league free agent in July 2016.
The 24-year-old has long been considered a defense-first prospect, but he posted a .394 on-base percentage in Toledo last season, thanks to 27 walks and 29 strikeouts in 35 games. He added experience at all three outfield positions last season and could enter the mix for a utility role as a result.
Eddys Leonard
- Role: Competing for bench role.
- How he got here: Trade with Dodgers in August 2023.
After the Tigers acquired Leonard last season, he went to Toledo and hit .302 with 10 doubles, eight homers, and a .905 OPS across 40 games in Toledo. He’s still only 23 years old, so this is a situation worth monitoring.
Dillon Dingler
- Role: Third catcher, likely heading to Toledo.
- How he got here: Second-round draft pick in 2020.
The Tigers were excited to get Dingler in the second round in 2020, but he’s struggled to hit in the minor leagues. Since he’s already on the 40-man roster, he’s probably third in line at catcher, but it would take a strong spring to dethrone Kelly as the primary backup.
Sawyer Gipson-Long
- Role: Competing for rotation spot, but dealing with a groin issue.
- How he got here: Michael Fulmer trade with Twins in August 2022.
Hopefully the groin injury isn’t serious, because Gipson-Long is coming off a tantalizing (albeit short) MLB debut. It was only 20 innings, but he did pretty much everything well, and spring is a chance for the Tigers to get a longer look.
Keider Montero
- Role: Likely heading to minors as starting pitcher.
- How he got here: Signed as minor-league free agent in August 2016.
Montero struck out more than 11 batters per nine innings in the upper minors last season, but he gave up a lot of damage when hitters did make contact. He probably needs to figure out Triple-A before he gets a shot in the bigs.
Wilmer Flores
- Role: Likely heading to minors as starting pitcher.
- How he got here: Signed as minor-league free agent in July 2020.
Wilmer Flores took a step back last season after a dominant minor-league campaign in 2022. He’s not going to begin the season in Detroit.
Donny Sands
- Role: Organizational depth at catcher.
- How he got here: Gregory Soto trade with Phillies in January 2023.
He’s not on the 40-man roster, so Sands is unlikely to make the roster out of spring.
Anthony Bemboom
- Role: Organizational depth at catcher.
- How he got here: Signed as minor-league free agent in December 2023.
Bemboom is 34 years old and has never played more than 25 games in a season at the MLB level. He was signed for depth.
Eliezer Alfonso
- Role: Organizational depth at catcher.
- How he got here: Signed as minor-league free agent in July 2016.
Alfonso has been an average hitter in the lower minors. He’s not going to make the Opening Day roster.
Jace Jung
- Role: Top third base prospect who could debut later this season, but likely not on Opening Day.
- How he got here: First-round draft pick in 2022.
By planting Keith at second base, the Tigers are also unofficially committing to Jung as the long-term answer at third. It sure doesn’t sound like the plan is for him to open the season with Detroit, but we could see him later in the year.
Keston Hiura
- Role: Competing for bench role, but likely to at least begin season in Toledo.
- How he got here: Signed as minor-league free agent in February 2024.
A former top-10 prospect, Hiura hasn’t been able to make enough contact at the MLB level to take advantage of his power and speed. The Tigers took a flier on him last week, but his odds of making the roster on Opening Day are long.
Justyn-Henry Malloy
- Role: Competing for corner outfield or designated hitter at-bats.
- How he got here: Joe Jimenez trade with Braves in December 2022.
If there’s one player who could force his way from off the 40-man roster to the starting lineup on Opening Day, it’s Malloy. The 24-year-old posted a .417 OBP in Toledo last season and has nothing left to prove in the minors offensively. Can he play the outfield? That’ll be the question that determines his immediate fate.
Justice Bigbie
- Role: Outfield prospect likely to start season at Toledo.
- How he got here: 19th-round draft pick in 2021.
Bigbie was the Tigers’ breakout prospect for 2023, slashing .362/.421/.564 in 63 games with Double-A Erie. Then he went to the Arizona Fall League and had 10 walks to go with 10 strikeouts in 20 games. Bigbie won’t make the roster on Opening Day, but he’s not far off.
Ryan Vilade
- Role: Organizational infield depth.
- How he got here: Signed as minor-league free agent in November 2023.
Vilade has been a low power, high on-base guy in the minors. Realistically, he’s probably not going to be in the bench mix.
Bligh Madris
- Role: Organizational infield depth.
- How he got here: Signed as minor-league free agent in November 2023. Previously selected off waivers by Tigers from Rays in November 2022 and then acquired by Astros for cash in January 2023.
The Tigers clearly like Madris, because this is the second time they’ve gone out of their way to acquire him in the last two years. He has solid minor-league numbers.
Jackson Jobe
- Role: Top starting pitching prospect who will begin season in minors.
- How he got here: First-round draft pick in 2023.
One of the top pitching prospects in baseball, Jobe only has one Double-A start under his belt (six shutout innings). He’ll likely start the season back in Erie.
Ty Madden
- Role: Starting pitching prospect who will begin season in minors.
- How he got here: First-round draft pick in 2021.
After he reached Double-A at the back-half of 2022, Madden spent an entire season with Erie in 2023. He posted a 3.43 ERA and struck out 146 batters in 118 innings. He’ll start the season in Toledo or Erie.
Brant Hurter
- Role: Starting pitching prospect who will begin season in minors.
- How he got here: Seventh-round draft pick in 2021.
Like Madden, Hurter got a full season of action in Double-A last year -- and he performed even better. Hurter struck out 133 batters in 118 innings while maintaining a 3.28 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. He seems primed for a promotion to Triple-A.
Trey Wingenter
- Role: Competing for spot in bullpen.
- How he got here: Signed as minor-league free agent in December 2023. Previously signed with Tigers as minor-league free agent in January 2023 and granted free agency in November 2023.
The Tigers gave Wingenter a shot last season, but an injury in mid-April derailed him until late July. He bounced back and forth between Detroit and Toledo before settling back with the Tigers in September.
Garrett Hill
- Role: Competing for spot in bullpen, but dealing with a lat strain.
- How he got here: 26th-round draft pick in 2018.
Once a breakout starter in the minors, Hill is trying to make has way back to MLB as a reliever. It’s off to a tough start, as he’s dealing with a lat strain.
Andrew Vasquez
- Role: Competing for spot in bullpen.
- How he got here: Signed as minor-league free agent in January 2024. Previously selected off waivers by Tigers from Phillies in August 2023 and granted free agency in November 2023.
Vasquez is a pitch-to-contact lefty who reliably induces weak contact. The Tigers claimed him from Philadelphia in-season, but then moved on and were willing to expose him to waivers themselves. He’s well behind Chafin and Holton in the lefty pecking order.
Drew Anderson
- Role: Competing for spot in bullpen.
- How he got here: Signed as minor-league free agent in January 2024.
Anderson came back to MLB this offseason after two years pitching in Japan. He had strong ratios and middling strikeout numbers, but the Tigers are willing to investigate how that translates back to the States.
Sean Guenther
- Role: Competing for spot in bullpen.
- How he got here: Selected off waivers from Marlins in November 2022.
Guenther got as high as Triple-A last season and struck out 37 batters in 31.1 innings at Toledo, but his 4.88 ERA and 1.28 WHIP show he’s got some work to do this spring.
Brenan Hanifee
- Role: Competing for spot in bullpen.
- How he got here: Signed as minor-league free agent in December 2023. Previously signed with Tigers as minor-league free agent in December 2022 and granted free agency in November 2023.
Hanifee made his MLB debut for the Tigers last season, allowing eight hits and three runs in five innings. His numbers in Toledo left a lot to be desired, even as a reliever.
Devin Sweet
- Role: Competing for spot in bullpen.
- How he got here: Selected off waivers from Giants in January 2024.
Sweet has had a busy few months. He made his MLB debut with the Mariners and then got selected off waivers by Oakland in on Sept. 2. The Giants claimed him from the A’s on Dec. 18, and then the Tigers claimed him from the Giants on Jan. 18.
His overall minor-league numbers were awesome last season. In 35 innings at Double-A and nine innings at Triple-A, he struck out 57 batters in 44 innings with a 2.25 ERA and 1.023 WHIP. He’s 27 now, but it’s easy to see why the Tigers have interest in the righty.
