Spring Training Players to Watch

As we open the 2011 Spring Training Season with full squad workouts starting today you may find yourself wondering what on earth would the Tigers do if Miguel Cabrerra is out of the lineup?  After his much publicized run in with some of Florida's finest do the Tigers have a replacement for him?

Ryan Strieby

Fortunately the answer is yes.  It appears the Victor Martinez acquisition in the off season is looking even better now.  Martinez, although primarily a Catcher, has also played First Base in 146 games over the course of his career before joining the Tigers.  What some Tigers fans might NOT know however is that there are also two first-rate minor league First Basemen in camp this spring.  Ryan Strieby and Scott Thorman BOTH have hit for power AND for average in the minors.  Scott Thorman comes to us from Atlanta and has some Major League experience with the Braves.  Watch these two young men this Spring.  I wouldn't be surprised to see them both competing to fill in for Cabrerra during his pre-season troubles off the field.

Scott Thorman

Along those lines, this week there is a NEW Tigers SpringTraining(2011) spreadsheet posted to the Spring Training (2011) page which includes updated numbers for all of the Tigers hitters reporting to Spring Training.  Look here to see the career numbers on your favorite Tigers and see how the rookies (minor league numbers shaded) stack up against them.  Strieby and Thorman don't look to shabby.  Watch for them to open some eyes and garner some attention this spring.

Also new this week I will be debuting the "TRENDS" pages.  These pages will keep a running measurement of Tiger Pitchers and Hitters over time with numbers updated weekly.  I will also run a "TRENDS" page for the former Tigers.  Watch these pages to see if your favorite Tiger is getting better, worse, or holding true.  Trending will start with Spring Training and continue until the end of the season.  Spring training games start next Saturday, February 26th, and continue until the season opens on March 31st.


Important Spring dates to consider from MLB.com:

March 2-11, 2011

Contracts of unsigned players may be renewed

March 15

Last day to assign an injured player to a minor league club until the close of the championship season (outright or optionally).

March 31

Opening Day 2011. All clubs are required to reduce rosters to 25 players.

April 6

First date a player placed on the 15-day disabled list during Spring Training may be reinstated.

April 10

First date a player optioned during Spring Training may be recalled. 

So, there is only a little over a month to go before the regular season starts and SPRING IS HERE!

GO TIGERS!   ---Rob

Scott Thorman Photo by: John T. Greilick - Detroit News
Ryan Strieby Photo by: Robin Buckson - Detroit News