Don’t look now Tiger Fans, but the TIGERS are loaded with young talent!!!
Here’s what JIM LEYLAND has to figure out by opening day. WHAT TO DO WITH:
CLETE THOMAS? He has it all. Tough left handed out. Fast. excellent defense in
the outfield. But with ORDONEZ, DAMON & JACKSON out there
where does he play?
JEFF LARISH? In our book he’s a future star at 1st or 3rd. Also a tough lefty with
a good eye. YOUNG & SMOOTH. But where does he play? CABRERA
and INGE have 3rd & 1st locked up.
SCOTT SIZEMORE? He is a young old schooler who has already captured LEYLAND’S
heart as he will with all Tiger fans as he becomes a fixture at
second base for many many more years to come.
ALEX AVILLA? A sturdy long ball hitting left handed hitting young catcher. HE HAS ALL
of the tools…TO BE A STARTER! Right now he will either back up LAIRD
or be sent to Toledo for more regular duty behind the plate. This decision
just might land LEYLAND on the funny farm.
FU-TE NI? After watching him slice up the PHILLIES in three good starting innings the huge
question pops up…Can this sly smart southpaw clinch a starting role? HE MIGHT
BE THE SURPRISE OF THE TIGERS 2010 SEASON!
BRENT DLUGACH? A big rangy young hard throwing left handed hitting shortstop. Another
future star. To send him back to Toledo might ruin his confidence. He’s
having a great spring…But, EVERETT & SANTIAGO have a lock on short,
or do they??
DON KELLY? An excellent left handed hitting third sacker. WE LOVE THIS KID. He too has
had a terrific training camp. But where is LEYLAND going to play him? He
already has INGE & LARISH at 3rd. ??
It seems like all of a sudden the TIGERS are loaded with young colts chomping at the bit
of starting. From where we’re sitting the Tigers are overloaded with young left handed
hitting stars, LARISH, THOMAS, AVILA and KELLY to fit in nicely with the switch hitting
GUILLEN AND SANTIAGO. They could easily start six left handed bats against righties, but
they won’t.
More likely to happen is that they will trade somebody. All of these kids deserve a starting
shot in MLB. So you see, LEYLAND is heading down the path of hard, tough decisions.
filed on 3-20-10 by bobby hoeft
