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Fantasy Baseball: 2020 Detroit Tigers fantasy preview

By Mike Marteny

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 26: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers prepares to bat in the second inning while playing the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on September 26, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 26: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers prepares to bat in the second inning while playing the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on September 26, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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LAKELAND, FL – MARCH 02: C.J. Cron #26 and Jonathan Schoop #8 of the Detroit Tigers stand together for the National Anthem prior to the Spring Training game against the Boston Red Sox at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 2, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The game ended in a 11-11 tie. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

2020 Detroit Tigers projected starting lineup:

Cameron Maybin, RF (.285, 11 HR, 32 RBI, 9 SB in 235 AB)
Niko Goodrum, SS (.248, 12 HR, 45 RBI, 12 SB in 423 AB)
Miguel Cabrera, DH (.282, 12 HR, 59 RBI, 0 SB in 493 AB)
C.J. Cron, 1B (.253, 25 HR, 78 RBI, 0 SB in 458 AB with Minnesota)
Jonathan Schoop, 2B (.256, 23 HR, 59 RBI, 1 SB in 433 AB with Minnesota)
Jeimer Candelario, 3B (.203, 8 HR, 32 RBI, 3 SB in 335 AB)
Christin Stewart, LF (.233, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 0 SB in 369 AB)
Austin Romine, C (.281, 8 HR, 35 RBI, 1 SB in 228 AB with NYY)
Victor Reyes, CF (.304, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 9 SB in 276 AB)

There’s a chance that Reyes opens the season in a platoon with JaCoby Jones. There’s also a chance that father time catches up with Maybin. Reyes will likely take over the leadoff spot if he performs well. He was one of the few bright spots last year.

Overall, this is an uninspiring offense that will likely struggle to produce runs again. Detroit was outscored by a staggering 333 runs last season! That likely improves with the signings of Cron and Schoop, but they still weren’t enough to really move the meter on the Tigers.

Cron’s numbers are pedestrian for a first baseman,and the power numbers are likely to go down in massive Comerica Park. The only pieces worthy of drafting right now are Schoop for last power at 2B and Cron if you wait until the end for 1B. I do like Reyes. He could be a sneaky source for steals, but don’t reach. Romine is probably Detroit’s best offensive fantasy asset. That kind of average and solid power at catcher make him worth a pick in the 16-18th round.

Candelario was a big prospect in the Cubs system and the centerpiece of the Alex Avila deal. He made some noise late in his first season in Detroit, but last season’s dismal showing means you can get him on the cheap. His injury-plagued 2018 and bad 2019 have taken all the luster off of this once promising prospect. Candelario is still worth a look late. I also like Miggy as a late round flier, but I don’t have high hopes for him.

Prospects to watch:

Candelario’s leash is very short with Isaac Paredes looming. A strong spring by Willi Castro could land him at 3B sooner than Paredes, but the job will be his before long. A poor spring by Goodrum could put both of these top prospects in the starting lineup by Memorial Day.

Travis Demeritte had four homers in nine spring games. Maybin has just two hits in 26 at bats. The Detroit outfield will end up being crowded with Daz Cameron, Derek Hill, and Jorge Bonifacio all looming. These guys have more appeal than all of the incumbent outfielders with the possible exception of Reyes.

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