For the Detroit Tigers sixth ranked prospect, Isaac Paredes hitting has never been an issue. Paredes can rake with the best of them. Fresh off of posting huge numbers in the Mexican winter league. Paredes arrived in Lakeland Florida and the Tigers are ready and willing to allow him to earn a roster spot. Why? Because Isaac Paredes can help the Tigers.
Isaac Paredes will play in his first Grapefruit League game on Wednesday. This after sitting out the appropriate amount of time coming from Mexico to Florida due to MLB’s COVID guidelines.
Detroit Tigers first year manager A.J. Hinch said Paredes will start at third base, his usual position, on Thursday, then play second base this weekend. Paredes can also play the outfield.
Where Isaac Paredes will actually end up playing is a great question. But when a young player can hit like Paredes, you find a way to get him on the field. One thing it does is it gives Paredes multiple pathways to the roster.
A.J. Hinch said he feels that it would do both Paredes and the Detroit Tigers no good to send the young slugger to Triple-A. That any further development should and needs to take place in Detroit.
It was known when the Tigers traded for Isaac Paredes he was projected to be a very good hitter with power to all fields. In Mexico this past offseason Paredes had a confidence building winter ball season.
Paredes who hit just .220 with a .568 OPS in 108 plate appearances for the Detroit Tigers last summer, also had memorable moments and encouraging signs that pointed that he was close to producing more.
Then came winter ball in Mexico, and Isaac Paredes put on a show. Posting .379 average in 145 at-bats. Isaac also was first in on base percentage with .480 , he had doubles 17 , and on base plus slugging 1.060. He walked an eye popping 27 times against just 12 strikeouts in 177 plate appearances. Isaac Paredes also won the batting title.
This is what Tigers manager A.J. Hinch means when he said Triple-A would not do Paredes and the Detroit Tigers any good. Hinch may be right.
