This season for the Tigers has been short of average. No winning record, losing close games and simply not having luck on their side. There have been some bright spots on this Tigers roster that have been fun to watch. I have mentioned before players like Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal that have provided the Tigers with some fun pitching to keep track of.

I want to go on to talk about Eric Haase, the hometown hero for the Tigers. Haase who is a catcher by trade but has also showed some flashes in left field. Eric is a native of Westland, MI, who attended Divine Child High School. Selected in the seventh round of the MLB draft by the Cleveland Indians. Signing with the Indians instead of enrolling at Ohio State University, receiving a signing bonus of $580,000. After spending a significant time in the Minor League, Haase was called up September 1st, 2018 to the MLB squad. He would only have 16 major league at bats.

Welcome to Detroit

Fast forward to January 2020, Haase was traded to the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations. In 2020, Haase was a part of the Tigers taxi squad and only appearing in 7 games. May 12th 2021, about five months later, Haase was selected to be a part of the active roster and appeared in his first game of the season a day later.

Since being called up to the active roster Haase has been a force to reckon with. Batting a healthy .265 with eight homeruns, 13 RBIs while striking out 25 times in his last 74 plate appearances. Five of his homeruns have come in the last seven games. Haase has proven his ability to be a good defensive catcher while providing good offensive output. Something that this Tigers roster has been lacking in recent years.

Eric Haase…
– Grew up a Tigers fan
– Drafted out of Dearborn Divine Child in 2011
– Made his MLB debut in 2018
– Traded to Detroit for cash in 2020
– Gets called up last week
– Hits 2 HR on Monday
– First Tigers rookie to catch a no-hitter
Incredible. pic.twitter.com/aIFs5xspaC

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) May 19, 2021

Six days after being activated, Haase caught his first no-hitter. Helping Spencer Turnbull get to that feat and calling a good game behind the plate. Haase is just 28 years old and has shown promise in being an everyday player in this lineup. The Tigers are 12-8 when he has been slotted into the lineup.

Haase has the perfect story and Tigers fans all over have been loving it. Eric is what this team needs, so long he can keep the numbers up and keep the beard going.

Check out Alex Mayer’s take on Eric Haase and his future with the Tigers.