Detroit Tigers: Who are the leadoff candidates for 2018?

Mikie Mahtook

After coming over in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays before the beginning of last season, Mikie Mahtook went on to have a mini-breakout year for the Tigers in 2017. He hit .276/.330/.457 (105 OPS+) with 12 home runs and 38 RBI. He appears poised to be the Tigers’ primary left-fielder going into the coming season.

Mahtook also appears to have tools to be a decent leadoff hitter. Last year, he showed an ability to hit for solid average and get on base reasonably consistently. He also has respectable speed and adequate power. He would be the type of leadoff hitter who can begin a game with a home run.

At this moment in time, however, Mahtook’s experience in the leadoff spot is quite limited. He has started only seven games at leadoff so far in his brief career.

It is also possible that the Tigers could benefit from having Mahtook bat lower in the order. While his 12 home runs from last season may not seem like an imposing total, per se, it is worth noting that he only played in 109 games. Over the course of a full 162-game season, it is indeed possible that he could hit closer to 20 homers. Fangraphs Steamer is currently projecting that Mahtook will belt 16 homers next season.

As it currently stands, the Tigers may need a little bit more thump in the middle of their batting order. While Nicholas Castellanos is coming off of a breakout season, superstar Miguel Cabrera will be looking to rebound from the worst season of his career. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the soon-to-be 35-year-old Cabrera return to his usual self, as long as he is healthy, but it is hard to know what to expect for sure.  It is also tough to know what to expect out of Victor Martinez, who also had a down year in 2017 and missed the end of last season after undergoing a heart procedure.