The Tigers announced to reporters, including Chris McCosky of Detroit News, that outfielder Akil Baddoo is staying in the organization. He was designated for assignment last week but has now cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Toledo.
Baddoo was also outrighted off Detroit’s roster in December. That was his first career outright assignment and he had less than three years of service time at that point, meaning he did not have the right to elect free agency. He was added back to the roster about a month ago but has now been outrighted a second time. He had the right to elect free agency this time but has decided to stay in the Tigers’ system as non-roster depth.
Back in 2021, Baddoo looked like a Rule 5 steal. That was his first year with Detroit after getting plucked from the Twins. He got into 124 games, hit 13 home runs and stole 18 bases. He slashed .259/.330/.436 for a 108 wRC+.
It seemed like maybe the Tigers had grabbed an everyday outfielder but his production has tailed off since then, leaving him now as a depth option. Since the start of the 2022 season, he has stepped to the plate 682 times in the majors with a .201/.288/.323 line and 74 wRC+.
Still, the Tigers are probably happy to have him around. He has continued putting up good numbers in the minors, with a .250/.351/.433 line and 111 wRC+ for that 2022-25 stretch. Matt Vierling has been on the injured list for much of this year and it’s nice to have options available if another injury pops up.
Photo courtesy of Junfu Han, Imagn Images.
I’m glad they still have Akil. I hope they never need him.
BADoo!
Even if he just plays the rest of his career in AAA I like the guy and he gave us something to cheer for during one of the many recent down years in 2021.
You could have a worse depth piece. Akil is not a bad baseball player. In a pinch, for short stints, he’ll do.
Him clearing waivers a second time around tells you everything you need to know about him.
I think it’s easy to say you could have a worse depth piece than Baddoo, but the reality is, that’s just not true. Baddoo has proven time and again he cannot produce at even a replacement level. The Tigers are foolish for even keeping him in Toledo, they made the decision to move on when they DFA’d him, they should have stuck to their guns and moved on.
Look thru last years stats and tell me how many depth pieces had “replacement level” numbers. Depth pieces are what they are because they are not good enough to be starters. You won’t find a Corbin Carol sitting bench, or waiting for a major league opportunity. That’s where you find Travis Jankowski, and his like. Akil looks like he has improved his defense, his speed can be valuable, and his bat, while inconsistent, can surprise. Depth is never a bad thing.
However many it is, Baddoo did not add to that #. He played below replacement level last season.
Most guys in Baddoo’s position do not produce at replacement level. Players at AAA who can are not at AAA.
There are a lot of back of the bench major leaguers who also don’t produce at replacement level.
Name a better OF in Toledo…
Jones for one. There’s a couple players in Erie who I’d say would be worth a shot as well opposed to Baddoo. Mendoza and Meyers both at or nearing mid 20s. Mendoza bit stronger hit tool and Meyers more power.
Tigers have a lot of flexibility in roster, especially for bench players. So limiting a bench replacement in lieu of Baddoo should in no way be limited to Toledo OFs.
Should have just released him. There are other guys out their for AAA pieces. I think it would have been better for everyone if he was in another organization.
Both the Tigers and Akil disagree with you.
Just who do the Tigers have who can serve as an above replacement level player in Toledo? They have Hicklen, Margot, Malloy, and Kreidler. None of them look like one.
Look at Erie’s outfield. Bigbie? LOL. There’s no one there either.
Seems to me, Baddoo is as good as any of them. It’s just a question of who’s hot when the big club needs somebody.
Malloy hasn’t had much run, he could still be a bench piece for someone or a platoon guy for a bad team. He has a good eye, just not spot on the field.
The prospect train is rolling though…Clark, McGonigle, Briceno, Liranzo, Max Anderson, Lee, Jung, Rainier, Campos….and tbh Wenceel is 1.000 OPSing since coming off the IL in the D.Tons of bats coming.
Max Anderson is basically Malloy. No spot on defense and better really hit. The tigers have enough noodle armed defenders already.
I wasn’t looking at what was already at Toledo when I think Baddoo needs to go. I’m thinking more at what is avaliable of unsigned players. The one that comes to me is Jake Marisnick. Jake was with Detroit for a short time a couple of years ago. More speed than Akil. Better fielder especially in CF. Lots better bat, too.
Jake Marisnick? Please. There’s a reason why he is unsigned.
Nobody wants garbage 🗑. A miracle he even made it back to MLB!
Too bad oo
The Tigers already have too many poor defending ‘position’ players. Oil Badoo makes a diving catch on routine fly balls. Maybe another organization can unlock his offensive potential.
Well, maybe he can work on a couple of things at Toledo, and take his spot back. Survival of the fittest !!
Four years is enough
He is poor defensively. He is undisciplined offensively that allows opposing teams to pick him apart. I question his work ethic given the above facts. He has regressed once opposing pitchers figured him out. He represents someone that should not be around developing players.
BAD!!!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Like Akhil Badoo!
It is a long season.
Badoo has value as a depth player
especially in the playoffs.
Badoo will come back stronger and better than ever!
I wonder if Baddoo would be better off in another organization.Though subpar defensively,he has speed and power,and just needs to blossom so he can become useful to a club.