The Detroit Tigers are focused on the future. There’s no other way to put it. It’s time to look to 2023 and project what the potential outfield could look like. There are some intriguing options and avenues the Tigers can take. Let’s discuss how the Detroit Tigers could build their potential outfield heading into 2023.

A Lock in Center: Riley Greene

While the 21-year old’s number have not flown off the charts, Greene has shown he belongs. Riley has on OPS+ of 103 (league average is 100), while also alredy being worth 1.4 WAR in just 75 games.

Greene will hopefully continue to make dazzling plays in center for years to come and 2023 season will be one to watch.

Riley Greene goes FULL extension to make the spectacular grab! #DetroitRoots@Greene21Riley pic.twitter.com/IkoEVUDO8G

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) September 14, 2022

Holding Down Right Field: Austin Meadows

2022 was a season to forget for Austin Meadows. After being traded to a new organization and having to adjust to a new city, 2023 will be a reset for Austin. Tigers’ fans know the type of hitter Meadows can be, hitting 33 homers in 2019 and then 27 in 2021.

While some fans with have their opinions on the Meadows trade, what’s done is done. Meadows is just 27 years old, and with two years left on his contract, he will look to right some wrongs in 2023.

A Plethora of Candidates:

Victor Reyes, Daz Cameron, Akil Badoo, and Kerry Carpenter. Take your pick.

One player who is making a strong case for an everyday spot in the outfield in 2023, is Kerry Carpenter. The 25-year-old had a monster season in the minors in 2022. Carpenter went on to hit 22 homers in Erie, then continued to mash in Toledo after being called up.

So far Carpenter has been strong in his short stint with Detroit, already hitting 4 homers in just 77 at bats. Only time will tell with Carpenter, but results speak for themselves. The results say Carpeneter deserves to be playing every day.

Kerry “Clutch” Carpenter… pic.twitter.com/dcqrroXWHe

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) September 7, 2022

As for the others, Victor Reyes has shown enough to earn a spot on the 2023 roster. Akil Badoo, Daz Cameron, and Derek Hill all have struggled in 2022, making it a likely possibility they start 2023 down on the farm.

Down on the Farm:

One player catching a lot of fans eyes down in Erie is Parker Meadows. He is the younger brother of Austin Meadows and has had a breakout year in 2022. The 22-year-old has posted strong offensive numbers with 16 home runs and a .833 OPS.

Meadows will be Rule-5 eligible in 2023, making it almost a guarantee he will be with the major league club in 2023.

Parker Meadows with another clutch hit off a lefty. This time it’s a sharp single that gives the @erie_seawolves a 7-6 lead in the 11th. pic.twitter.com/LnVDN5Hffm

— Tigers Minor League Report (@tigersMLreport) September 16, 2022

Other Avenues for the Detroit Tigers:

There are also multiple other avenues the Tigers can take to build their outfield in 2023. Free agency and trades will most likely play a factor. But there is cause to believe that the Detroit Tigers have enough in-house options to build a strong outfield in 2023.

Jon Kloss

Woodward Sports/Woodward Tigers producer

Photo Credit: Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK