Tigers Invite Defensive-Minded Outfielder to Spring Training

After last year's calamity, the Detroit Tigers have a clear goal of trying to improve this year as they prepare for Spring Training. That means getting more out of their young players while also having some veterans bounce back.

One player who falls into the latter category is outfielder Jonathan Davis, who's hoping to catch on with Detroit as a non-roster invite to Spring Training.

Detroit Tigers Roster News

Davis, 30, is getting a shot with the Tigers after electing free agency this offseason. With five MLB seasons under his belt, he has fourth-outfielder potential thanks to his speed and defensive ability.

Unfortunately for Davis, his bat leaves something to be desired. He's a lifetime .185/.291/.245 hitter in 350 career plate appearances, showing minimal power with just 4 home runs and 20 RBIs. Even for a Tigers team that had one of the worst offenses in baseball last year, that's not going to cut it.

If Davis wants to earn a roster spot with Detroit, he'll likely need to show a bit more with the stick during Spring Training. His wheels (18 steals in 21 tries) and his ability to handle all three outfield positions has some value, but perhaps not enough if he can't hit his weight.

Time will tell if Davis ends up making the Tigers. If he doesn't, it's hard to see him finding a job elsewhere given that Detroit is already one of the lower-ranked teams in MLB.