The 2022 season was supposed to be different for the Detroit Tigers.
Javier Baez and Eduardo Rodriguez (and other additions) were supposed to be consistent contributors; and prospects Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene were supposed to help from the go.
Not one of those things has happened.
Torkelson has been very bad (-0.8 Wins Above Replacement) and Baez hasn’t been much better.
It’s really not surprising to see them struggle to a 26-42 record so far.
Injuries have ferociously attacked the rotation…and Greene.
Near the end of spring training, he suffered a fractured right foot that set his MLB debut back two months.
He was called up a few days ago, and has already left his mark.
“Most times reaching base safely in 1st 4 career games, Tigers history: 1939 Barney McCosky: 11; 2022 Riley Greene: 10; 1931 Hub Walker: 10; 1922 Fred Haney: 10,” MLB statistician Sarah Langs tweeted.
Most times reaching base safely in 1st 4 career games, Tigers history:
1939 Barney McCosky: 11
2022 Riley Greene: 10
1931 Hub Walker: 10
1922 Fred Haney: 10— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 22, 2022
Already One Of The Best Players On The Roster
Greene is hitting .417 in his first four contests, with a solid .588 OBP.
When he is on, he has a gorgeous swing that generates a lot of power, and he can run some, too.
When he is done developing, the 21-year-old Greene projects as a five-tool contributor: he can hit for average and power while fielding his position well and showing a good arm and some speed.
He does have some swing and miss to his game, but it’s not something that should be too concerning in the long-term.
It’s nice to see he is off to a nice start in his MLB career.
He still has no homers or steals, but he is already the second-best position player on the Tigers’ roster, with 0.2 WAR.
That’s good for him, but horrible for the Tigers.
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