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# The Detroit News’ 2026 Tigers midseason grades: Position players
On a team that ranks ninth in American League in slugging, 10th in runs scored and OPS, 12th in on-base percentage and 13th in batting average, they still had three players who produced offensively at the top of their respective positions.
Dillon Dingler is the top-rated catcher in the American League in terms of wins above replacement. Kevin McGonigle is second only to Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop. And Riley Greene is second to Randy Arozarena among left fielders.
And yet, there were long stretches, particularly in May, when the Tigers could barely cobble two runs together.
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(FRM - ok it’s only three games…)
Eduardo Valencia, 0.3 WAR, .500/.545/.1.100, 343 OPS-plus: It’s only been a couple of games but he’s provided one of the highlights of the season when he homered in his first big-league at-bat against the Athletics. The right-handed power, plus his ability to fill in at first base, will likely keep him on the roster for at least the first couple of series in the second half.
Mid-term grade: Inc.
Gleyber Torres, 1.8 WAR, .280/.395/.413, 121 OPS-plus: When he’s been in the lineup, the Tigers are 23-20 and the offense has sizzled. But he’s serving his second stint on the injured list with the same oblique strain. He’s should be close to returning after the break. He was expected to begin a rehab assignment in Florida this week, transferring to Triple-A Toledo after the break. He is also a pending free agent, which will likely keep his name in the trade deadline gossip.
Mid-term grade: B
Colt Keith, 0.3 WAR, .245/.294/.391, 89 OPS-plus: He was hitting .326 with a .354 on-base percentage heading into May, but with no home runs. The homers started to come after June (eight) but the average plummeted. He’s essentially been a platoon player, getting all but 18 of his plate appearances against right-handed pitching. And it’s hard to make a case for more at-bats against lefties when he’s 1-for-17 against them. He’s also 1-for-18 as a pinch-hitter. He has improved noticeably at third base, with a plus-1 outs above average in the first half.
Mid-term grade: C
Javier Báez, minus-0.5 WAR, .256/.280/.397, 86 OPS-plus: He’s been out since April 28 with a severe ankle sprain. His rehab work has endured some stops and starts but he had increased the intensity and volume of his baseball activities going into the break. The expectation is he will play again this season, though there is no word on when he will be cleared for competition.
Mid-term grade: Inc.
Matt Vierling, minus-1.0 WAR, .206/.261/.336, 64 OPS-plus: After missing most of last season, he’s had a hard time finding his rhythm and timing. He’s still a consistent threat against left-handed pitching (.774 OPS) and his defense, especially in right field, has been stellar. But he will be the first to tell you, he’s still grinding to get back to his own performance standard. This is not a negative-WAR player.
Mid-term grade: C-minus
Kerry Carpenter, minus-0.2 WAR, .222/.297/.458, 106 OPS-plus: The fight to find consistency has been real. He slugged .573 with an .887 OPS and seven homers in June. But followed that up with a 3-for-29, no extra-base hits and 11 strikeouts so far in July. He’s carrying a career-high 31% strikeout rate. Pitchers are beating with spin. He’s hitting .071 with a 46% strikeout rate against sliders, .130 with a 48% strikeout rate against curveballs.
Mid-term grade: C-minus
James Outman, minus-0.2 WAR, .148/.212/.328, 47 OPS-plus: This was a shrewd pick-up by the Tigers, regardless of what he produces with the bat. His speed, his defensive acumen and arm speed in center field have helped solidify the Tigers outfield defense, which, with the absence of Meadows and Báez, was ranked near the bottom of baseball.
Mid-term grade: C-plus