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Tyler Collins Should Be Detroit Tigers’ Left Fielder in 2016

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TylerCollins

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past year or two, there have been quite a few rumblings about the Detroit Tigers‘ depleted farm system. There are still a few bright spots, however, one of which is outfielder Tyler Collins.

Of course, Collins was recently with the big league club, but he was sent back down when Victor Martinez was activated from the 15-day DL. During his time with the Tigers, Collins hit .275/.315/.490 with two homers and seven RBIs over 18 games. He also spent two separate stints with the big league club last season.

During his time in Triple-A Toledo this year, the 25-year-old has hit .259/.344/.348 with two homers and 15 RBIs. His power potential has been on the radar of Tigers fans for a while now, as he has hit 21 and 18 home runs over his past two minor league seasons respectively.

Heading into 2016, there could be a vacancy in the Tigers’ outfield depending on what happens with Yoenis Cespedes. The 29-year-old Cespedes is having a great year, hitting .300/.330/.495 with 10 home runs and 42 RBIs while playing fantastic defense, but he will be a free agent at season’s end. Considering the fact that the Tigers will also have other key players hitting the free agent market this winter, they may be wise to let Cespedes walk.

Assuming Cespedes does leave and the Tigers also neglect to make a run at another free agent outfielder such as Justin Upton or Jason Heyward, one would have to believe that the top three candidates competing for the spot will be Steven Moya, Daniel Fields and Collins.

Although Moya certainly has the proverbial light-tower power and had a terrific season with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves last year, he is only hitting .232/.286/.365 with six homers, 35 RBIs and 81 strikeouts in Toledo this year. Fields started out strong and even earned a brief cameo with the Tigers earlier this year, but he has now fallen to a .226/.357/.391 triple-slash with three home runs and 22 RBIs.

To put it simply, it appears that Collins is the closest to being big league ready out of the three. In giving him a starting spot in the outfield, he would give the Tigers a young, affordable player with 20-homer potential, good speed and a solid glove.

Obviously, Spring Training of 2016 is still a long ways off and there is a lot that could change before then. As of right now, however, Collins looks like he could be the Tigers’ best option in left field next year.

Brad Faber is a Senior Writer and Sabermetrics Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Brad_Faber or like him on Facebook. 

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