Tigers building for future in 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Tigers’ Spring Training facility sits on the site of an old World War II air training base. As Detroit finishes its 83rd Spring Training in this Central Florida city, the history of Tigertown has rarely been more fitting.

While the Tigers prepared for their Major League season at Joker Marchant Stadium, they were just as focused on the back fields at Tigertown and on the many prospects who will likely determine the fate of the club’s rebuilding efforts. Manager Ron Gardenhire preaches fundamentals and motivation in hopes of elevating expectations in 2019 and setting the stage for an influx of young talent over the next few years.

Here’s a look at where the Tigers stand heading into Opening Day on Thursday at Toronto:

What's the goal?

• Identify impact players in the ongoing rebuild, especially on the position side.

• Get veteran players back to health and productivity, either to contribute in the short and long term or to potentially trade for prospects.

• Get the team closer to potentially contending in a couple years.

• Instill Gardenhire’s style of play on this team, from better contact at the plate to more aggressive baserunning, pitching with pace and fundamental defense.

What's the plan?

Christin Stewart and Jeimer Candelario will get a long look in left field and at third base, respectively, as the Tigers try to figure out who can be run producers around Miguel Cabrera and Nick Castellanos and support the plethora of pitching prospects on the way up. Grayson Greiner will get a chance to make his case as a starting catcher after Detroit nontendered James McCann last fall. Daz Cameron could be in center field by the end of summer, becoming the potential catalyst atop the order. By season’s end, the Tigers could have some of their top pitching prospects knocking on Detroit’s door, including Casey Mize and Beau Burrows, as well as shortstop Willi Castro and second baseman Dawel Lugo.

On the veteran side, look for the Tigers to be cautious with Cabrera, giving him games at designated hitter amid starts at his usual spot at first base as he turns 36 years old in April. The hope for the positional transition is to keep his legs and his back fresh. The double-play duo of Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer, imported from Pittsburgh, could be dealt by July 31 after being signed to one-year contracts. Castellanos, meanwhile, will either be signed to a contract extension or be a trade target in his final season before free agency.

What could go wrong?

Plenty, both short and long term. Injuries are a huge concern up and down the roster, from Michael Fulmer’s season-ending Tommy John surgery to JaCoby Jones' left shoulder sprain to Cabrera’s aging issues to Jordan Zimmermann’s past maladies. The Tigers have tried to build depth, but they’re still a ways off from having top prospects ready to slot in at many spots. Free-agent signings Matt Moore and Tyson Ross both come with risk, evidenced in their recent histories.

Then there’s the developmental side, where the Tigers are relying on continued progress from some prospects and renewed progress from others. Jake Rogers, the Tigers’ top catching prospect, is expected to return to Double-A Erie to work on his hitting. Burrows, still just 22, has been at Erie since Summer 2017 and could repeat there. Franklin Perez, the top prospect from the Justin Verlander trade, battled injuries most of last year and was slowed this spring.

Who might surprise?

Cameron has already pushed up his timetable after jumping from Class A Advanced Lakeland to Triple-A Toledo over the course of last season, and he is making a case to move to Detroit this summer. Spencer Turnbull, the Tigers’ No. 19 prospect, impressed coaches with three September starts, and he is set to fill Fulmer's rotation spot. Dustin Peterson, claimed off waivers from Atlanta last summer, has made an impression with a big Spring Training.

Then there are the non-prospects. Niko Goodrum showed offensive potential last year in largely a super-utility role, and he could get close to everyday playing time all over the field if he can hit his way into a run-production spot. Jose Manuel Fernandez, a free-agent waiver claim last offseason from the Blue Jays, looked good in camp before being sent out, and he could jump to Detroit early as a power lefty reliever. Former White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham earned a utility-infield spot at age 32 on the strength of a solid Spring Training.