The Tigers called Parker Meadows back up from Triple-A yesterday, optioning Akil Baddoo to Toledo in the corresponding move. Meadows marked his return to the Show with a solo home run in the Tigers’ 5-4 win over the Reds on Friday, hopefully indicating that the 24-year-old outfielder can translate his Triple-A success to some more consistent production in the big leagues. After batting only .096/.224/.219 in his first 85 plate appearances this year, Detroit sent Meadows back to Triple-A on May 7, and Meadows responded with a .298/.394/.511 slash line in 221 PA over his two months in Toledo.
“A little mechanical adjustment” seemed to do the trick, as Meadows told Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press that keeping his hands up allowed him to keep a more level swing, since “it’s hard to hit a rising fastball when your swing is uphill.” While Meadows continued to have trouble with breaking balls in Toledo, being able to catch up with high velocity could help Meadows produce at something closer to average offense in the majors, which might be all he needs to stick as a regular center fielder given his top-tier glovework. Since Detroit is falling out of the playoff race, the remainder of the season could be an important evaluation period for Meadows to show he can continue to be a key part of the Tigers’ future plans.
More from the AL Central…
- Yoan Moncada played in just 11 games before a left adductor strain sent him to the injured list, but the White Sox third baseman is set to get back to action in the Arizona Complex League next week. Sox manager Pedro Grifol told MLB.com and other media that Moncada will be limited to only DH duty for now, and “if everything goes right, we’re looking at him probably at the end of, close to the end of July” for a return to the majors. Moncada’s strain was bad enough that he was initially given a 3-to-6 month recovery timeline, and while his rehab plan still seems somewhat fluid, it seems like his season is no longer in jeopardy. Moncada is in the final guaranteed year of his five-year, $70MM contract, and since Chicago is very unlikely to exercise its $25MM club option on Moncada for 2025, the infielder could be returning for his final games in a White Sox uniform.
- Alex Kirilloff has been on the Twins’ 10-day injured list since June 13 due to a back strain, and Kirilloff provided media (including the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale) with an update on his status yesterday. Since part of the discomfort in Kirilloff’s back was due to a nerve issue, he received a cortisone shot and has been working on core-strengthening exercises for now, hopefully with an eye towards soon starting to take swings. Injuries have plagued the career of the former top prospect, as Kirilloff has been limited to 249 games since his MLB debut in 2021 due to a shoulder surgery, two wrist surgeries, and now this back problem.
- In other Twins injury news, relievers Brock Stewart and Justin Topa each threw 20-pitch sessions (Stewart a live batting practice, Topa a bullpen session) in the last few days. Stewart has now missed over two months due to tendinitis in his right shoulder, but manager Rocco Baldelli told Nightengale and other reporters that Stewart isn’t far away from a minor league rehab assignment. Topa has yet to pitch at all this season after initially starting on the IL with left patellar tendinitis, but in mid-May was diagnosed with a partial tear in his patellar tendon. Since Topa has only recently restarted his throwing progression, it will still be a while before the right-hander is fully ready for his 2024 debut.
Moncada makes sense for a lot of teams. Cubs are a good fit but they gotta start playing better. Mariners good fit. Moncada is versatile he can play 2b and 3b and switch hits easy guy to plug in on the fly.
Moncada may be returning to the lineup soon, but he needs to put up some decent numbers in the final two months of the season. This will be his audition for teams to look at if he’s worth giving a one-year prove it deal.
Great fit for the Cubs if the Cubs can get it together and start competing again.
No thanks, Moncada is a headcase, Cubs need a more stable guy at 3B, but they have more problems than just getting a competent third baseman. Hoyer didn’t do enough this offseason and it’s showing…
I’m not sure why anyone would think it would be a good idea to trade for a rental player who can’t stay healthy and his lone great yr came in 2019. Especially proposing it would be a great fit for a last place team that should be sellers not taking on high risk rentals and losing young controllable talent to aquire them.
What better 3b is available? Name one.
The Cubs don’t need to aquire a 3B, they are in last place. Nor is Moncada avaible, he is under contract on a roster. So if you want to just lump anyone who fits in rental 3B on a team that looks to not be contending or is a spare part a Urshela or a reunion with Candelario would seem better fits.
Again though, a last place Cubs team should not be going out and giving up young controllable players for a rental. Especially one who can’t stay healthy and has been anything but consistent throughout his career. It makes no sense whatsoever.
Moncada will try to play well enough to either get traded to some sucker team then after the trade deadline or after he is traded it will be another injury.
Yeah that’s weird dude
Indeed. Both Moncada and Eloy (2yrs worth) will have their expensive options declined. They are the posterboys of overhyped lethargic prospects that made its rebuild a flop.
Hindsight would’ve been keep them hungry to earn serious money rather than extend. Hurt a ton and no sign of life/drive/perseverance.
Unlike many, liked TA in spite of his faults. He turned himself into a really good hitter with hard work. Since he just got dfa’d elsewhere with a superior work ethic, Moncada/Eloy better be self-aware other MLB teams see them as reclamation project/easy to cut loose pickup in ’25.
TA’s career has really taken one on the chin….
I hope Parkers brother Austin is doing ok haven’t heard anything about him in a while
Yeah, that whole Austin experience was just too freaking weird. That’s a guy I wish the best, but don’t ever want to see him playing for Detroit again.
SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs, I think the lack of news on Austin Meadows is by design, as I figure he wants his privacy. I’d say assume things are status quo and that he’s retired from baseball, although he’s not announced it.
Hopefully round two with Meadows in Detroit goes better. They can use the offense.
I actually watched the game yesterday. Kind of hard to do because Bally isn’t on Comcast anymore. But, I was impressed with what I saw. The Tigers looked really good, like it felt like I caught a glimpse of the future and I honestly liked what I saw. I especially loved the play of Colt Keith, to include that double play, deep in the hole on the first base side. Moving away from second. Speedy runners. Bang bang at both bags, but got both outs.
Keith is starting to pick it up. Maolly has loojed better too. Maybe the second half of the season will be better. Should be some more new faces after the deadline (trades and callups) and cross your fingers that Carp can get back.
I’m not very optimistic with Carpenter. I’d just rather he takes the time he needs to get it right, even if that means taking the rest of the season off and rehabbing it. Maybe if by super slim chance they enter a playoff race, he could come back if he’s healthy. Otherwise, rehab and get it stronger for next year.
TroyVan, Interestingly enough, I wasn’t able to watch the game yesterday. I watch Bally on Direct TV Stream and the broadcast was on Apple TV. I did see the highlights via Twitter. I am pleased to see Colt coming into his own. Meadows, even though he hit a monster homer in his first AB back, it’s only one game. I’m hoping for more. Olson from what I have gathered pitched another solid game. Plus, Greene, he’s going to be a star, if he can stay healthy. I’ll have to miss today’s game as well, due to other plans.
MCBB, I don’t have much hope that we’ll see Carp at all the rest of the season. I lost that optimism when he was deemed to have a fracture. I hope I’m wrong, however and am not going to get all dramatic like “Dogs” did in a previous thread. He seemed to diagnose Kerry just because his wife has back pain.
We were discussing Flaherty not Carpenter. Totally different diagnosis’s..
Okay, whatever you say, forum moderator, doctor and true idiot.
You get a thumbs up for such a nice comment. It shows you are still an ass.
Look in the mirror and see the real ass.
Project much?
Again, project much?
“Bally isn’t on Comcast”…Consider terminating Comcast and buying MLB.TV if you like to watch MLB. Comcast is not a reliable source for MLB in my honest opinion.
Can’t watch mlb.tv in market. Games are blacked out.
I like Parker Meadows. Solid defender with great speed. He has some power. He won’t hit a lot, but I think he should do well enough to stay up. He needed a reset. Some young guys do. It’s not a bad thing. I was thinking Keith might need one, but he has really come around. I wish they had taught him a defensive position though. Whitaker had a .984 fielding percentage… Keith is at .967. Sweet Lou was never that bad.
I like the comp you had earluer this year for Meadows as being a Kiermaier type. I’d take that. Even when he was drafted as a 3B they said Keith could end up in the OF. It’s his first year at 2B. Hopefully that will improve as he matures.
Mellycheese, how do you know Meadows won’t hit a lot? Got a crystal ball? It’s stupid garbage like that which chased you away from motownsports.
Parker Meadows crushed his home run yesterday. Good to see. Also good to see is Colt Keith coming of age right in front of us. He was my preseason pick for ROY and after the last 2 months, I’d say he’s firmly back in that race.
Step 4: Go away Stuperfife.
Hi Trevor.
Unfortunately, it’s not likely any team takes a chance on you. It’s a bit unfair. We know you are legally innocent, but morally innocent is another story. No teams wants to deal with that potential (but likely) PR firestorm, the cost of which will greatly exceed whatever savings are gained by signing you to a minimum contract.
Meadows is a keeper, and he’s going to be in Detroit a good while. Detroit is loaded with veterans who’ll move on and out. Kieth is a huge win for the Harris regime. Vierling is like the old Aurelio Rodriguez Tom Brookens era’s third base for this Tiger team. He has more power, and finally Detroit has a third baseman that’s not killing them who can lead off. Harris did good in trading for him, and his versatility will pair nicely when Jung comes up.
Detroit has some real good player’s and right now a big star in Greene. They are under performing right now, but they do have guys that make the future bright for them. The Tigers play with anyone who they play against. They are not woeful or have less talent than their opponents either. Jobe the rising star is eagerly awaited, and we all want to see Greene stay a Tiger for life.
Parker Meadows’ return to the Tigers with a home run is promising. His mechanical adjustments in Triple-A seem effective. Let’s hope he maintains this momentum and solidifies his place in the majors.
Add in that Meadows had another couple of hits today, including a double that came close to leaving the yard. I am now thinking he made an adjustment at Toledo and might be straightened out, but it is a cautious optimism being it’s only two games.
He said in an interview yesterday that he flattened out his swing plane. They told him it’s hard to hit a rising fastball with an uppercut. He got it. Now let’s see if Torkelson can understand that…
I hope Tork can get with the plan. Maybe his best friend Riley the all star can get in his ear and teach him a thing or two about hitting.
The W. Sox are a mess . Keep Crochet Lee Sosa and Roberts build around them. Dump the rest
Yep.
Why not keep Crochet? 2 more years of control, Oh not White Sox fan?
BREAKING NEWS,
Yankees swing deal to send Babe Ruth back to Red Sox for Wong & Duran. Who says No?