Detroit Tigers Hitters: 2015 Team Preview
Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first duringan Miguel Cabrera (24) at bat against the Baltimore Orioles during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
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The Detroit Tigers have a loaded fantasy baseball lineup that starts at the top with Ian Kinsler. Kinsler has been a fantasy staple since his rookie year in 2006 as a plus power-steal combo at 2B. I still like Ian Kinsler in the fifth round, but I definitely want the new and improved Ian Kinsler in Brian Dozier in the sixth or seventh round.
If Rajai Davis gets enough at-bats, then he could easily steal 40 to 50 bases in 2015. He is a perfect example of a bargain base stealer, instead of spending on Billy Hamilton or Dee Gordon. In the past six seasons, Rajai Davis has recorded totals of 41, 50, 34, 46, 45, and 36 steals. Davis may now be 34, but he is still one of the fastest players in the game.
Miguel Cabrera will always be the star of this lineup, but I feel that there are concerns that his power is in decline. I am not so convinced that 25 HR is the new normal because Miggy’s average fly ball distance was sixth best in MLB in 2014. If Tanner’s projections are correct, then Cabrera could be the #2 overall player after Mike Trout, but I still have the future Hall of Famer fifth or sixth on my working draft board.
J.D. Martinez is one of the intriguing players to me in 2015. After a career year in 2014, Martinez is going around the 100th pick, which is a solid value because his power numbers are certainly repeatable. With a .356 BABIP, Martinez is virtually guaranteed for some production, but I actually believe that he will hit in the .270’s and put up solid counting stats.
Tanner Bell of Smart Fantasy Baseball has created all of the projections seen in this post. You can read about how he develops his projections here. His projections are invaluable to this site. You can also visit his site at www.smartfantasybaseball.com.
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