Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? We give an overview of team strengths, weaknesses, and other things to know, using Defensive Runs Saved and other stats as the basis for our evaluation. To see the full series, click here.
2025 Team Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 9th
Team Strengths
The thing that the Tigers do best is position their fielders. Two years ago, they recorded 40 Defensive Runs from positioning while netting -4 from their fielders. Last season was similar, 47 Runs Saved from positioning and -11 from their fielders. They led the majors in Outfield Positioning Runs Saved. In simplest terms, this means that they regularly improved the out probabilities for their outfielders to make catches on fly balls and line drives.
Individually, the Tigers are strong at catcher where Dillon Dingler had 6 Runs Saved last season. He was a little above-average in pitch framing, limiting stolen bases, and pitch blocking. Jake Rogers had 13 Runs Saved as a starter two years go, though 0 in 41 games last season. He was a standout pitch framer in that very good season.
Zach McKinstry’s versatility allows him to play almost anywhere, with the exception of catcher, but shortstop seems to be his best spot. He had a combined 7 Runs Saved in 88 games there the last two seasons.
Team Weaknesses
Most of the Tigers’ projected starters had 2025 Runs Saved at or near average (Spencer Torkelson has done this two straight seasons after posting -10 Runs Saved in 2023). One whose Runs Saved wasn’t at an average level was Gleyber Torres who has had three straight seasons with negative Runs Saved, including -4 Runs Saved last season.
Other Things To Know
We’re not sure what to make of Riley Greene. Greene won the Fielding Bible Award for left field, though he played only 84 games there. In 124 games last season he totaled -5 Runs Saved. His Outfield Arm Runs Saved accounted for the entirety of his negative total, as he allowed a 45% advance rate on hits (MLB average is 39%) and had only one assist without the help of a relay man.
Beyond McKinstry, the roster has decent versatility. Colt Keith can play second base or third base. Javier Báez can play shortstop or center field. Neither is a star at these positions (Baez used to be a star at shortstop) but both are capable.
Center fielder Parker Meadows is a wild card here. He was highly regarded in 2023 and 2024, totaling a combined 8 Runs Saved in 118 games. He had -1 Run Saved in 57 games last season there.
So is consensus Top 5 overall prospect Kevin McGonigle, who has a 50 (average) overall future potential grade from FanGraphs but has a 40 current grade (below-average). He has 6 Runs Saved over the last two minor league seasons at shortstop which is certainly encouraging.
Are the Tigers A Good Defensive Team?
The Tigers are a decent defensive team that makes itself better through good positioning and use of “partial” infield shifts (the second baseman or shortstop being near second base instead of across the base).
