Tigers predicted to call up potential Javier Baez replacement

Tigers predicted to call up potential Javier Baez replacement originally appeared on The Sporting News

While the Detroit Tigers sent multiple players to the All-Star game, even as starters, the Tigers could look to improve upon a couple of those All-Star starters who are now struggling.

Riley Greene hasn't been the best lately, but he's not going anywhere and will continue to see consistent starting opportunities to close out the season in hopes he can turn things around.

But come September, with expanded rosters, Zachary Rotman of Fansided.com predicts that Detroit could call up top-10 prospect Max Anderson. With Anderson being an infielder, he could potentially see playing time over Baez in the final month of the year.

Why Anderson Over Baez in September?

If the Tigers are looking to reshuffle their infield, they could do so by calling up Anderson, their 10th-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline. While he might not start every game, he could eat into the playing time of Baez down the stretch.

But why would Detroit make such a decision? As Rotman outlined, the Tigers are searching for more power from the right side of the plate, and Anderson could be such a presence.

"The Tigers could use a bit more thump," Rotman writes, "particularly from their right-handed hitters, and Anderson can conceivably provide that."

Anderson is a 23-year-old infield prospect who is a solid slugger. He's spent the bulk of his season in Double-A, where he had a .499 slugging percentage and an .857 OPS. In the nine games he's played since getting called up to Triple-A, he has a .513 slugging percentage with an .854 OPS.

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He won't completely supplant Baez in the lineup, but he could likely eat into his playing time. Part of why the Tigers might make such a decision can be explained by Baez's recent production.

Since the beginning of August, Baez has a .436 slugging percentage and a .722 OPS. In his last 10 games played, Baez has a .323 slugging percentage with a .573 OPS.

On the season, Baez has a .420 slugging percentage with a .714 OPS. While he's been significantly better than he's ever been with the Tigers, his production still isn't incredible, as evidenced by his 95 OPS+.

Even if he isn't a position match with Baez, his slugging ability and hitting prowess from the right side of the plate are something that Detroit could benefit from experimenting with ahead of a pivotal postseason run.

With Colt Keith, Gleyber Torres, and Spencer Torkleson locking down their spots, the best way for the Tigers to get Anderson into the lineup is by finding a way to replace Baez. His struggles lately also pave the way for such a decision, which could be huge for the Tigers' postseason run if Anderson hits the ground running.

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