The Tigers introduced that outfielder Akil Baddoo has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Toledo. Detroit designated him for task final week because the corresponding transfer for the Alex Cobb signing.
Baddoo was a Rule 5 success story in 2021, when he hit .259/.330/.436 with 13 homers throughout 461 plate appearances in his debut season. The lefty-swinging outfielder hasn’t maintained that type over the past three seasons. Baddoo struggled to a .212/.302/.331 slash in 178 video games between 2022-23. The Tigers stored him on non-compulsory task for a lot of the ’24 season. Baddoo solely performed in 37 MLB video games, hitting .137/.220/.301 whereas hanging out in 27 of his 82 plate appearances (32.9% charge).
Strikeouts had been additionally a difficulty in Triple-A. Baddoo fanned at an elevated 26.5% clip throughout 377 journeys to the plate with Toledo this 12 months. He walked at a powerful 12.7% charge to put up a decent .340 on-base mark, nevertheless it was a roughly league common offensive displaying within the Worldwide League. It was reasonably stunning that the Tigers tendered him an arbitration contract with a $1.6MM projected wage.
Baddoo will stick within the group and will obtain a non-roster invitation to MLB Spring Coaching. He’ll seemingly start the season in Toledo and attempt to hit his method again into the outfield combine alongside Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, Parker Meadows, and Matt Vierling.