Detroit Tigers: Dixon Machado looks ready for full-time job

Although Dixon Machado isn’t Ian Kinsler, he has been doing a very nice job for the Detroit Tigers so far in 2018. He certainly looks capable of handling the full-time second base role.

Over the offseason, many wondered how Dixon Machado would handle everyday duty at second base for the Detroit Tigers. Machado became the favorite to take over at second base after Ian Kinsler was traded to the Los Angeles Angels.

Last season, Machado had a decent year as a utility man. He hit .259/.302/.319 through 73 games. Machado swung a particularly hot bat in the first half, hitting .324/.351/.408 through 34 games.

This spring, Machado came ready to play. Through 20 Grapefruit League games, he hit .308/.345/.404 with a homer. While the Tigers are off to a disappointing 0-3 start to begin the 2018 campaign, Machado has continued to perform well.

Through the first three games of the season, Machado is hitting .286/.286/.500 with four RBI. He also had a ninth inning, game-tying double for the Tigers on Opening Day. The Tigers ended up losing by a score of 13-10 in extra innings, but Machado had a big day. He went 2-for-6 with three RBI overall.

Throughout his time in the Tigers organization, Machado has always been known for his glove. However, he has also had respectable seasons with the bat in the minor leagues. Through 258 games in Triple-A between 2015-16, he hit .264/.331/.344 with eight home runs. He has now proven that he can handle big league pitching as well.

However, Machado has yet to draw a walk this season. Machado, who only had a .302 on-base percentage last season, might be able to add a bit more to his value if he could start drawing a few more base on balls.

Shortstop of the future?

While Machado is the Tigers’ second baseman for now, some have speculated that he could eventually make the move to shortstop. Jose Iglesias, the Tigers’ current shortstop, is under team control through only this season. If the Tigers are out of the race by the summer, it would make sense for the team to explore a trade of Iglesias.

Machado has plenty of experience playing shortstop. It was the position he played throughout most of his minor league career. Moving Machado to shortstop could also create room for Dawel Lugo at second. The Tigers acquired Lugo from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the J.D. Martinez deal last summer. Lugo hit 13 home runs in Double-A last season and might be able to bring a bit more power to the Tigers’ middle infield.

Admittedly, Machado almost certainly won’t provide the type of offense that Kinsler did, especially from a power standpoint. That said, he is showing that he can provide a decent enough bat and also give the Tigers solid defense at second.

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It is very possible that 2018 can be a year in which Dixon Machado goes out and establishes himself as a everyday big-league player. Whether his future will be at second base or shortstop remains to be seen.