Frank Schwindel may not have had much success in his first taste of major league action, but he has landed in a great place with the Detroit Tigers.
In theory, Frank Schwindel was the type of hitter that the Kansas City Royals needed – a solid contact hitter with a respectable eye at the plate and decent power. For a team with numerous holes throughout the roster, Schwindel was the type of player that deserved a look at the major league level. With Kansas City, that look lasted for 15 plate appearances before he was sent to AAA, and eventually released.
Fortunately for Schwindel, he has landed in a rather fortunate spot. He has signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers, and is set to report to AAA for the time being.
Schwindel did not get much of a chance at the major league level. Although he was part of the Opening Day roster, he only had those 15 plate appearances, collecting one hit and striking out twice. With Hunter Dozier and Ryan O’Hearn ahead of him on the depth chart, there was not a place for Schwindel in Kansas City.
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Yet, he certainly deserved a longer leash in the majors. Schwindel had nothing left to prove in AAA, having posted a .293/.330/.499 batting line with 42 homers and 72 doubles in his 1038 plate appearances. Even if he was not likely to draw a walk, with just 48 free passes, Schwindel struck out only 152 times.
As it stands, he may not have an immediate avenue for major league action with the Tigers. Miguel Cabrera, Nico Goodrum, and John Hicks are ahead of Schwindel on the depth chart at first. However, Hicks also functions as the Tigers backup catcher, and Cabrera is hardly a bastion of health at this point in his career.
Likewise, the Tigers do not have a set designated hitter. Cabrera has been Detroit’s primary DH, with 28 games at the position heading into Wednesday night. Yet, if Schwindel continues to punish AAA pitching as he has for most of his career, and the inevitable injury occurs, he could get that chance to establish himself in the majors.
Frank Schwindel has landed on his feet, and is now a part of the Detroit Tigers organization. Given the depth chart ahead of him, this could be the perfect landing spot.