The Tigers announced that outfielder Akil Baddoo has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Toledo. Detroit designated him for assignment last week as the corresponding move for the Alex Cobb signing.
Baddoo was a Rule 5 success story in 2021, when he hit .259/.330/.436 with 13 homers across 461 plate appearances in his debut season. The lefty-swinging outfielder hasn’t maintained that form over the last three seasons. Baddoo struggled to a .212/.302/.331 slash in 178 games between 2022-23. The Tigers kept him on optional assignment for most of the ’24 season. Baddoo only played in 37 MLB games, hitting .137/.220/.301 while striking out in 27 of his 82 plate appearances (32.9% rate).
Strikeouts were also an issue in Triple-A. Baddoo fanned at an elevated 26.5% clip across 377 trips to the plate with Toledo this year. He walked at a strong 12.7% rate to post a respectable .340 on-base mark, but it was a roughly league average offensive showing in the International League. It was moderately surprising that the Tigers tendered him an arbitration contract with a $1.6MM projected salary.
Baddoo will stick in the organization and should receive a non-roster invitation to MLB Spring Training. He’ll likely begin the season in Toledo and try to hit his way back into the outfield mix alongside Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, Parker Meadows, and Matt Vierling.
Huge Baddoo fan, was hoping someone would take a chance on him so he could get a look at making an opening day roster. He doesn’t really have a place in Detroit unfortunately
I hope he can put it together but I think that ship has sailed. He looked like a Randy Arozarena type player when he first came up, but not since.
Despite having the worst offense in baseball.
I’m sorry, but why? And why would another team take a chance at him for an OD spot? Sure he was a feel good story for a minute 3 years ago, but he has been absolutely awful his last 600 ABs. Mendoza hitter with a sub 3 OBP, about a .350 slugging percentage and an elevated K rate. I think even a die hard Tigers fan would be relieved to not see him on the roster anymore.
His hot streaks just show the potential he has. I believe through late May of last season (2023) he was flirting with an .800 OPS before getting injured and falling into a slump. With him being a solid fielder and base runner I can’t help but think a new environment with more consistent ABs might just turn him into a more valuable player, which is why I thought maybe a bottom of the barrel team would give him a shot
Flirting with an 800 OPS? Lol, he had 82 at bats last season. I highly doubt he was 800 anything with that finish line. He was given 1000 ABs in Detroit and he’s a garbage hitter. Even bottom of the barrels aren’t giving this dude consistent ABs, nor should they.
I meant last season as in 2023, not 2024. I looked it up for fun and .800 was a bit of an overstatement but he did get up to .772. Simultaneously Zach McKinstry was at .860, what a time to be a Tiger fan that was
I am surprised no one claimed him. He has tools, and the ball jumps when he makes contact. Exciting baserunner. Not polished enough to be a starter, but lots of uses off the bench.
The ball jumps when he makes contact. Lol. Dude, go look at his numbers and tell me if you’re still excited about the “ball jumping when he makes contact”. Those numbers are exactly what he is. You sound like those old scouts in Moneyball. Next you’ll tell me about his ugly girlfriend. AAA player at best, but he sucks down there too.
@Rick Wilkins
I agree….. Badoo can’t hit or field and the reason no one wanted him. I didn’t want to see him still in our organization. The Tigers will call him up and send him down over and over again.
He’ll need to be added to the 40 in order to bring him up. I doubt that happens barring a serious injury in the OF.
Baddont is just plain bad!
AAA player
At best
No, tell us.
Fun Rule 5 draft pick story for awhile.
My goodness, just let him go. Not one team in the league wants him for a reason.
I think he just needs to get his head together, realize he IS great – no matter what anyone says – then just go forth and be great.
Ugh he still has to be around? It was fun for a minute, but let’s move on.
LOL @ people getting bent out of shape about Baddoo being sent to the Hens… in December. He’s not taking up a roster spot like he was before, and if some A or AA guy steps up during ST and is ready to jump to AAA, creating an overcrowded outfield in Toledo, I don’t think they’d have a problem releasing Baddoo at that point.
Yep. Harris’ roster plan is basic. Keep trying to add better talent. Eventually Baddoo will be the one cut. Don’t see him ever putting it all together. Whether or not he ever does, he was worth the flyer.
Also, I believe if they do cut him during ST, they can avoid paying him the majority of his $1.5MM salary, so unless he’s setting the world on fire, I have to imagine that’ll happen anyway.