In recent years, the Detroit Tigers have been in a rebuilding phase, looking to develop young players into stars of the future. One of these young players was infielder Isaac Paredes, who was acquired by the Tigers in 2017 and was seen as a top prospect in the organization.
However, after struggling in the Major Leagues, the Tigers made the decision to trade him. In this blog, we will explore the reasons behind the Tigers’ decision to trade Paredes, including his struggles in the Major Leagues, his developmental issues, the team’s infield depth and needs, and the aftermath of the trade.
By the end, we hope to provide insight into the Tigers’ decision and what it means for the future of the team and Paredes himself.
Paredes’ Struggles in the Major Leagues
Isaac Paredes made his Major League debut with the Detroit Tigers in August 2020, and although he showed promise, he struggled to find success at the plate.
In his debut season, Paredes had a batting average of .220 and a slugging percentage of .290, both well below league average. His lack of power was also evident, as he only hit one home run in 34 games.
One contributing factor to Paredes’ struggles was his low exit velocities. Exit velocity is the speed at which the ball leaves the bat, and it is often used as an indicator of a player’s power. According to Statcast, Paredes had an average exit velocity of just 84.3 mph, which was in the bottom 12% of all Major League hitters in 2020.
Paredes also had several games where he struggled at the plate. For example, on September 9, 2020, he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts against the Milwaukee Brewers.
On September 23, he went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against the Minnesota Twins. These types of performances were not uncommon for Paredes in 2020, and they likely played a role in the Tigers’ decision to trade him.
Developmental Issues and Lack of Improvement
Isaac Paredes was signed as an international free agent by the Chicago Cubs in 2015 and was later traded to the Tigers in 2017. He quickly rose through the Tigers’ minor league system, reaching Double-A Erie by the age of 20.
At that point, he was considered one of the team’s top prospects and was expected to be a part of the Tigers’ future.
However, Paredes’ development seemed to stall once he reached the Major Leagues. He struggled to adjust to the higher level of competition and was not able to replicate the success he had in the minor leagues.
This led some to question whether Paredes had hit his zenith early and was not capable of improving further.
In the minor leagues, Paredes had shown promise as a hitter, with a career batting average of .274 and an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of .787.
He had also hit 42 home runs and 116 doubles in 456 minor league games. However, his power numbers were not as impressive as one would expect from a player with his size and strength.
One possible reason for Paredes’ lack of improvement in the Major Leagues could be his approach at the plate. He was known for being an aggressive hitter in the minor leagues, but this approach did not translate well in the Majors.
He often swung at pitches outside the strike zone and struggled to make contact with breaking balls.
Additionally, Paredes’ lack of defensive versatility may have also contributed to his struggles. He was primarily a third baseman, but he did not have the range or arm strength to play the position at an elite level. This limited his opportunities to play and may have affected his confidence at the plate.
Overall, it seems that a combination of factors, including his approach at the plate and limited defensive versatility, may have contributed to Paredes’ lack of improvement in the Major Leagues.
Tigers’ Infield Depth and Needs
The Tigers had several infield options at their disposal, which may have contributed to their decision to trade Isaac Paredes. Jeimer Candelario was the team’s starting third baseman, while Jonathan Schoop and Niko Goodrum could play second base and shortstop.
Additionally, the Tigers had several infield prospects in their minor league system, including Spencer Torkelson, who was the first overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft.
The Tigers’ decision to trade Paredes was likely based on their assessment of their infield depth and their areas of improvement. For example, the team may have felt that they needed to add more power to their lineup, which Paredes had not been able to provide.
They may have also felt that they needed to improve their defense at third base, which Paredes had struggled with.
By trading Paredes, the Tigers were able to acquire players who could potentially fill these needs. For example, in the trade that sent Paredes to the Los Angeles Angels, the Tigers received outfielder Daz Cameron and pitcher Alex Lange.
Cameron is a highly regarded prospect who could provide speed and defense in the outfield, while Lange is a hard-throwing reliever who could help bolster the Tigers’ bullpen.
The Tigers’ decision to trade Paredes was likely based on their assessment of their infield depth and their areas of improvement. By addressing these needs through the trade, the Tigers were able to improve their overall roster and set themselves up for success in the future.
Trade Analysis and Aftermath
In February 2021, the Detroit Tigers traded Isaac Paredes to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for outfielder Daz Cameron and pitcher Alex Lange.
Daz Cameron is a highly regarded outfield prospect who has been ranked among the Angels’ top 10 prospects in recent years. He is known for his speed and defense, which could make him a valuable asset for the Tigers in the future.
Cameron struggled in his brief Major League stint in 2020, hitting just .143 in 16 games, but he has the potential to be a productive player at the highest level.
Alex Lange is a former first-round pick who was rated as the Angels’ 14th-best prospect at the time of the trade. He is a hard-throwing reliever who could help bolster the Tigers’ bullpen.
Lange has struggled with control issues throughout his minor league career, but if he can harness his command, he could be an effective Major League pitcher.
In terms of the impact on the Tigers’ roster and future prospects, the trade seems to benefit the team in the long run. While Paredes had shown promise in the minor leagues, his struggles in the Majors indicated that he may not be the star player the Tigers had hoped for.
On the other hand, Cameron and Lange both have high ceilings and could develop into valuable contributors for the Tigers.
Additionally, the trade opens up opportunities for other players in the Tigers’ system, such as Spencer Torkelson, who is expected to take over at third base in the future. This gives the Tigers more flexibility and options as they continue to rebuild their roster.
Overall, the trade appears to be beneficial for both teams. The Angels get a young infielder with potential, while the Tigers receive two prospects who could contribute to their future success. While only time will tell how the trade plays out, it seems like a wise move for both organizations.
Isaac Paredes’ Performance in the Major Leagues
| Season | Team | Games | Batting Average | Slugging Percentage | Home Runs | Exit Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | DET | 34 | .220 | .290 | 1 | 84.3 mph |
This table shows Isaac Paredes’ performance in the Major Leagues during the 2020 season. It includes his batting average, slugging percentage, home runs, and exit velocity, which are all indicators of a player’s hitting ability and power.
Paredes struggled in these categories, with a low batting average, slugging percentage, and exit velocity, as well as just one home run in 34 games. This may have contributed to the Tigers’ decision to trade him in order to address their infield needs and improve their overall roster.
FAQs
Was Isaac Paredes a highly rated prospect in the Tigers organization?
Yes, Paredes was regarded as one of the Tigers’ top prospects and was ranked as the team’s No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline prior to the 2021 season.
Did Paredes have any notable accomplishments in the minor leagues?
Yes, Paredes was a midseason All-Star in the Midwest League in 2018 and was named to the Eastern League All-Star team in 2019.
What other players were considered as potential replacements for Paredes?
In addition to Jeimer Candelario, Jonathan Schoop, and Niko Goodrum, the Tigers also had several infield prospects in their minor league system who could potentially fill the void left by Paredes, including Willi Castro, Isaac Paredes, and Spencer Torkelson.
What is the Tigers’ overall strategy for rebuilding their roster?
The Tigers are focusing on developing young talent through their minor league system and acquiring prospects through trades and the draft. They are prioritizing player development over immediate success and are committed to building a sustainable winning culture.
What is Isaac Paredes’ future outlook with the Angels?
It is unclear at this point what Paredes’ role will be with the Angels, but he will likely compete for playing time at third base and second base. If he can tap into his potential, he could become a valuable contributor to the Angels’ lineup.
Conclusion
The Detroit Tigers’ decision to trade Isaac Paredes was based on a combination of factors, including his struggles in the Major Leagues, his developmental issues, and the team’s infield depth and needs.
While Paredes had shown promise in the minor leagues, he was unable to replicate that success at the highest level, leading the Tigers to explore other options.
The Tigers ultimately traded Paredes to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for outfielder Daz Cameron and pitcher Alex Lange.
While Paredes has the potential to be a productive player in the future, the trade seems to benefit the Tigers in the long run by adding two promising prospects to their system and opening up opportunities for other players to contribute.
Overall, the trade appears to be a wise move for both teams, as the Angels get a young infielder with potential, while the Tigers receive two prospects who could contribute to their future success.
While the impact of the trade on both organizations remains to be seen, it highlights the importance of assessing a player’s development and potential before making significant roster moves.
