With the call-ups of Ryan Kreidler, Josh Lester and Luis Castillo, the Detroit Tigers are giving players a chance to see what they can provide in 2023
As the Detroit Tigers take their second to last road trip to the west coast, the recent call-ups to Detroit are signaling more potential changes for 2023. A fury of activity started on Friday that concluded with the Tigers designating Michael Pineda for assignment. The decision for that was simple for manager A. J. Hinch when speaking the media yesterday.
A.J. Hinch: "I hate it for Michael. Nothing worse than telling a veteran of his magnitude and his career that we’re moving on from him. But for us, it’s time to take a look at the guys who have a better chance of being here."
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) September 4, 2022
Ryan Kreidler made his major league debut on Friday, starting at third base. In his first game, he drew two walks and scored a pair of runs. Overall, Kreidler had a good opening weekend, showing his defensive range both at short and third. With Jeimer Candelario putting up a slash line of .169/.227/.270 over his last 89 at-bats, a change of pace at third base comes at the right time.
Josh Lester, who was drafted by Detroit in the 2015 draft, became the 7th player from that draft class to make it to the major leagues. He joins Tyler Alexander, Matt Hall, Beau Burrows and Christin Stewart. Drew Smith and Kyle Dowdy, both drafted by Detroit, made their debuts for the Mets and Rangers respectfully. Lester started hitting with power around 2018, when he hit 21 home runs in Erie followed up with a 19 home run season in 2019. Last season, Lester hit 32 home runs with a vast majority coming at Erie before heading to Toledo. In this clip below that was came out in the winter of 2021, here he is talking about keeping his head as still as possible as he loads up to swing.
He has cut his K-rate down from 29.6% in 2021 to 21.8% down in Toledo. The reaction for Lester getting the call up to Detroit was met with a grand applause as many fans showed their support on Twitter.
I can confirm that longtime #Tigers minor leaguer Josh Lester has been called up to Detroit. @joshlester4
— Seth Wells (@SethTVSports) September 3, 2022
If you don’t like him, there might be something wrong with *you*.
That’s the best way I can explain how people in the @tigers farm system feel about Josh Lester, who received his big league call-up after 8 years in the minor leagues.
We are elated for this great young man. pic.twitter.com/M8cSO4EB9N
— Dan Hasty (@ThatDanHasty) September 4, 2022
Three changes of many to come for the Detroit Tigers
According to Lynn Henning of the Detroit News ($), it appears Detroit will move quickly on their getting their next GM. Whoever they hire, more than likely, there will be sweeping changes across the roster. The roster construction for 2023 could be geared towards looking inward. Parker Meadows, who is having an outstanding season down in the minors, is among several prospects eligible for the Rule 5 draft. His speed and tapping into the power makes him a candidate to join the outfield in 2023.
Infielders Andre Lipcius and Wencell Perez also have had impressive seasons in the minors. Does Detroit give Brendon Davis, who they signed earlier in the year, an opportunity for a roster spot? A lot of questions to answer here in the next few months. One thing is certain, Riley Greene, who is on a 13-game hitting streak, is giving Tigers fans plenty to watch. He will be one of the few faces that will be there Opening Day 2023.
