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MLB: Ranking the Top 10 Lineups for 2017

By Travis Koch

Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) reacts after a called third strike in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) reacts after a called third strike in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. The Tigers won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports. MLB.
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. The Tigers won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports. MLB. /

#10 Detroit Tigers

There’s time for one last hoorah before the Tigers will be forced to cut payroll and tentatively rebuild. Detroit has one of the older offenses in the game, but they can still hit. Miguel Cabrera continues to perform at an MVP level, he’s showing no signs of regression. Ian Kinsler and Victor Martinez still perform in vintage fashion. Now 34-years-old, Kinsler remains a serious power threat at the leadoff role. Martinez continues to scrap together productive at-bat after productive at-bat as he soon enters his age 38 season.

Throw in a very underrated J.D. Martinez, a dangerous Justin Upton, and a growing Nick Castellanos–this Tigers lineup is the real deal.

Projected Lineup (all lineups presented via per Rotochamp)

  1. Ian Kinsler
  2. J.D. Martinez
  3. Miguel Cabrera
  4. Victor Martinez
  5. Justin Upton
  6. Nick Castellanos
  7. Tyler Collins
  8. James McCann
  9. Jose Iglesias

Player to Watch 

Justin Upton had a disappointing 2016 season. He slashed an underwhelming .246/.310/.465 and struck out 179 times. His 31 home runs are good, but misleading. Upton knocked 13 home runs between September and October alone, part of a sizzling finish to the season. The Tigers are hoping the September/October Upton is on display much more frequently in 2017. He’ll play a crucial role in the lineup, having the opportunity to clean up all that is created by a very good top of the Tigers order.

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