MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 09: Manager A.J. Hinch #14 of the Detroit Tigers looks on against the Minnesota Twins on July 9, 2021 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
The Detroit Tigers won’t make the playoffs in 2021, but their play since the All-Star Break has been exceptional, giving fans plenty to be excited about heading into next year.
The Tigers won’t be making any exceptional September call-ups as it pertains to their top prospects. No, Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene are not headed to Detroit, as the Detroit News reported just a few days ago. The Tigers are being cautious, and will give both players a chance to make the roster out of spring training.
“We can squash that dream for this season,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Sunday. “We want them to develop fully in the minors and they are doing a great job.”
The Tigers prospect development has been some of the best in the majors, especially as it pertains to pitching. Yet, their top system prospects now include two of the best hitters in the minor leagues.
So, who should the Tigers call up? And who can they send down from the Major-League squad. That answer is a little tougher, but ironically enough, it comes from a position of weakness in the system.
Detroit Tigers should send down shortstop Zack Short
Short doesn’t add much value at shortstop, and is now third on the depth chart behind Niko Goodrum and Harold Castro. With Goodrum hopefully coming off the injured list in the next week, expect Short to get the boot sooner rather than later.
Short is hitting well under the Mendoza line at .144, and he’s received plenty of game action as well (43 games). The Tigers have seen enough, and need more from the middle of their infield. Down the stretch, expect Detroit to go younger, at least in terms of depth at that position.