MLB Detroit Tigers

Daniel Fields Could Solve Center Field Problem Of Detroit Tigers

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By @Brad_Faber

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Getty Images

For Detroit Tigers outfield prospect, Daniel Fields, it would likely be a safe bet to say that 2014 did not go the way that he was hoping it would. Last winter, the 23-year-old outfielder was thought to be a prime candidate to make his MLB debut this season, but unfortunately that did not turn out to be the case.

Back in 2013, Fields batted .284 with 10 home runs, 27 doubles and 58 RBIs, while posting a healthy .791 OPS for the Double-A Erie SeaWolves. He also stole 24 bases, showing the ever-coveted combination of speed and power. His lone Achilles’ heel figured to be his strikeout rate, fanning a whopping 130 times in 515 plate appearances.

Fields was assigned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens this season after batting just .214 in 10 Spring Training games. Once in Toledo, his season started slowly, batting just .234 with three home runs and 15 RBIs before being sidelined in May with a broken hand, which caused him to miss almost two months. Overall, Fields ended the season slashing a combined .224/.289/.354 with six home runs and 35 RBIs, making stops in Rookie Ball and Double-A in addition to his time with the Mud Hens.

If Fields would have had a better year, there is a good chance that he would be considered a leading candidate to fill one of the biggest holes that the Tigers are looking to address this winter: center field. After Detroit dealt Austin Jackson to the Seattle Mariners at the end of July, the Tigers were forced into making Rajai Davis their regular center fielder. While Davis did a decent job, he is not a natural center fielder and Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski has already indicated that the team will be looking to solidify that position in the offseason.

The problem, however, is that this year’s crop of free agent outfielders figures to be quite thin, particularly in terms of center fielders. Power-hitting Colby Rasmus looks to be one of the top center fielders on the market, but he would be a less-than-ideal fit for the Tigers.

The Tigers have another pair of young, talented outfielders who may be in the mix next season in Steven Moya and Tyler Collins, but neither of them are thought to be solutions for Detroit’s center field predicament. While Collins has logged a little bit of time in center, the Tigers seem to think that the corner outfield spots are a better fit for him.

The Tigers do not appear to be keen on the idea of making Ezequiel Carrera their everyday center fielder, either. Sure, Andy Dirks has played a little center field, but his future with the Tigers seems to be up in the air as well.

Although it may seem like an extreme long shot, there still might be a glimmer of hope for Fields to be considered for the center field job in 2014 job after all. He is currently playing for the Glendale Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall league, looking to rebound from his disappointing season. Thus far, he is slashing a very healthy .294/.500/.471 with a homer and three RBIs through five games.

While he still has plenty of work to do, Fields can certainly make a statement heading into Spring Training if he continues to perform well in the AFL.

Brad Faber is a Detroit Tigers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Brad_Faber, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google. 

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