Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo had a breakout year last season.
His first MLB season was one to remember. Baddoo finished the 2021 season hitting .259 with 13 home runs, 55 RBI, and 18 stolen bases through 124 games.
This brother was electric on the field, bringing the energy every time he suited up. He was a player the Tigers definitely needed, and the fans welcomed him with open arms.
Akil Baddoo hit the ground running with two homers in his first two career starts, including a grand slam on Monday. The unknown prospect has become an overnight sensation for the Detroit Tigers. @carrpediem21 is in the Three Spot today with A Bro You Need To Know. pic.twitter.com/wvxYGkLltT
— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) April 6, 2021
After an impressive rookie season, Baddoo was ready to have more success in his second season.
He was a player that the Tigers were high on at the beginning of the season and was named the team’s starting centerfielder.
Unfortunately for Baddoo, he struggled a lot at the plate at the beginning of the season. At the end of April, he was only hitting .111 through 12 games.
The Tigers sent him down to Triple-A on May 9 after hitting .140 with a home run, five walks, and 15 strikeouts.
Baddoo was not producing at the plate like he was last year, but the 23-year-old still has the energy when he’s playing.
No matter if he’s in a slump or on a hitting streak, he’s going to go out there and give you full effort day in and day out.
During his time in Triple-A, Baddoo has found his swing at the plate and he’s looking a lot more comfortable in that batter’s box.
Akil Baddoo with a 3-run bomb to put Toledo up 4-1. It’s his 3rd home run for the Mud Hens, and all have in the last three days against left-handed pitchers. pic.twitter.com/xY2jdud7kG
— Tigers Minor League Report (@tigersMLreport) July 5, 2022
Through 24 games with the Toledo Mud Hens, Baddoo is hitting .303 with three home runs and 13 RBI.
Tigers manager, A.J. Hinch wants Baddoo back on the team, it’s just a matter of timing at this point.
“We want Akil on this team,” Hinch said Monday in an article from the Detroit Free Press. “It’s just a matter of when we feel like he can be a contributor, when the playing time is there for him, what he can offer to a club.”
“He’s a big-leaguer. We knew that when we sent him down. We also wanted him to decompress and get back to being himself again. He absolutely factors in, present, future, in all aspects.”
Now Detroit will have its hands full, trying to factor Baddoo back into the lineup. The team has five outfielders on the active roster and when Austin Meadows returns, the team will have to make another roster move.
There’s no question that Baddoo deserves to be back in the lineup for the Tigers. The brother can impact the game in multiple ways.
It’ll be interesting to see how long the Tigers wait to bring him back up. Let’s hope it’s not too long.
Once he makes his return, it’s going to be a different outcome than earlier this season. Baddoo is a competitor, and he wants to go out there and be the best.
His time in Triple-A is exactly what he needed and he’s ready to go out and put that old English D back on.
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