Detroit Tigers: Will Mikie Mahtook build off of 2017 success?

LAKELAND, FL - MARCH 02: Mikie Mahtook (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
LAKELAND, FL - MARCH 02: Mikie Mahtook (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)

After a nice season with the Detroit Tigers last year, Mikie Mahtook struggled in spring training. How will he perform in the regular season?

Prior to 2017 campaign, the Detroit Tigers acquired Mikie Mahtook in a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. Before coming to the Tigers, Mahtook had a very solid rookie campaign in 2015, hitting .295/.351/.619 with nine homers through 41 games. However, he struggled in 2016, batting just .195/.231/.292 with three home runs.

Last year, Mahtook had an excellent, minor breakout season with the Tigers. He proved to be capable of playing all three outfield positions, including a very respectable center field. He also showed that he could provide an above-average bat.

As the season went on, he began receiving more consistent playing time and worked his way into a regular role. He ended the year slashing a very respectable .276/.330/.457 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI through 109 games. Unfortunately, his season ended a bit early due to a groin injury.

Going into the 2018 season, Mahtook appears set to be the Tigers’ everyday left fielder. However, although most don’t necessarily place too much stock in Spring Training numbers, it is worth noting that Mahtook batted only .161/.217/.214 with one home run in the Grapefruit League this year.

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While Mahtook figures to be the starting left fielder as it stands right now, the Tigers will also need to find playing time for Victor Reyes and JaCoby Jones. Although both players could help out Leonys Martin in center, it is possible that they could occasionally spell Mahtook in left field as well.

If Mahtook continues to struggle, as he did in spring training, it will be interesting to see if Reyes and/or Jones might start cutting into his playing time.

Jones, who has struggled at the plate in parts of two seasons with the Tigers, had a lovely spring. He hit .354/.415/.542 with two homers in the Grapefruit League, and his minor league track record suggests that he should have some pretty solid power potential.

Reyes, who the Tigers selected in the Rule 5 Draft this offseason, didn’t have a great spring but has a substantial minor league resume. A switch-hitter, Reyes has batted .298/.347/.379 over six minor league seasons. One might imagine him emerging as a possible platoon partner for the right-handed hitting Mahtook.

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Considering the work that Mahtook did last year, however, the Detroit Tigers should be pretty patient. If the regular season gets underway and Mahtook happens to pick up where he left off last season, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that he could end up hitting 15-20 home runs for the Tigers in a regular role. It should be interesting to see what happens.