Detroit Tigers: Biggest positives so far in 2018

Middle Of The Order Production

Through the first eight games of 2018, the Tigers have shown that the middle or their order should be able to provide a considerable amount of thump this season. Cabrera and Martinez appear ready to bounce back from disappointing 2017 campaigns. Nicholas Castellanos, on the other hand, has already begun to build off of a breakout season.

After battling injuries and slashing just .249/.329/.399 with 16 home runs and 60 RBI last season, Cabrera showed he was ready to go in spring training and has carried that success into the regular season. While an 0-for-3 performance against the Chicago White Sox on Monday brought his numbers down a little bit, he is still hitting a solid .276/.353/.483 with a homer and nine RBI on the season.

While there was some question as to whether or not Martinez would be back this year after undergoing a heart procedure near the end of last season, he is swinging the bat surprisingly well to begin 2018. He has hit .286/.360/.381 through his first six games. Now in the final season of a four-year contract, Martinez is showing that he can still contribute.

Castellanos has been the Tigers’ cleanup man in 2018. While he has yet to homer, he is hitting an extremely impressive .324/.395/.500 so far in 2018. Castellanos hit a career high 26 home runs and drove in a career high 101 runs last season. He has evolved into a true middle-of-the-order power threat. It wouldn’t be too shocking to see him go out and hit 30 home runs this season.