Predicting the Detroit Tigers 2021 Starting Lineup

As it stands right, the only team in baseball with a worse record than the Detroit Tigers are the Baltimore Orioles. This team is firmly in a rebuild and they won't even sniff contention in the AL Central for at least a couple more seasons.

Outside of Miguel Cabrera (whose contract at the moment is immovable) and a couple of other young position players, this entire roster will probably look different. However, Detroit has plenty of top prospects who will be making their debuts very soon. You never know what GM Al Avila will do through trade and free agency to improve this team, but they are here right now and have the talent to turn their fortunes around quickly.

So, here's a look into the future at what the Detroit Tigers' 2021 starting lineup could look like.

3. Infield

At the moment, Detroit has John Hicks behind the plate. However, one of their top prospects, Jake Rogers, will likely take over that position either late in 2019 or come the start of 2020. The Tigers could stick Hicks at first base or stay with Brandon Dixon, who has had his moments of being a reliable bat. Unless they have Jeimer Candelario move across the diamond to first base, he's the more likely option to be their long term option at third base. Oh, and because of his advanced age, Miguel Cabrera will be the permanent DH. This is where the change truly happens. Top prospects Issac Paredes and Willi Castro are the likely double-play combo of the future for the Tigers. With Castro's defensive prowess, he's likely to stick at shortstop, moving Paredes over to second base.

2. Outfield

This is the spot on the team the Tigers could use some of their prospect capital and salary on to upgrade, as they don't possess many high-caliber outfield prospects. Daz Cameron is the only one in the minor leagues right now who has a bright future on this team. Cameron is likely their center fielder of the future, with Niko Goodrum and Christin Stewart taking over in the corner outfield spots.

1. Pitching

This is where it gets exciting for this franchise. The future of their pitching staff, specifically in the rotation, is what this team will be built around, and you can start with former No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize. Following him would be Matt Manning, Franklin Perez, Spencer Turnbull and Alex Faedo. On top of those five in rotation, the Tigers have a guy like former first rounder Beau Burrows who could be lights in the bullpen if need be. At least one of these arms could be used to acquire a middle-of-the-order bat, but as it stands right now, the Tigers will want to build around these arms to gain an edge in the AL Central.