Isaac Paredes Quickly Opens Eyes With Tigers
The Tigers acquired five infield prospects in two trades prior to the trade deadline this season. Many believe that when all is said and done shortstop Isaac Paredes will be the best of the bunch.
Where he ends up playing on the field is up for debate, however. Currently the shortstop at low Class A West Michigan, Paredes might be be better suited for third base. The Cubs originally signed Paredes away from the Mexico City Red Devils for $800,000 in July 2015.
“You never know with young players where they are going to end up position-wise,” vice president of player development Dave Littlefield said, “but it’s always good to start with a shortstop because they’re usually the best athletes.”
The Tigers acquired Paredes along with Triple-A third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the Cubs in late July for lefthanded reliever Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila.
Candelerio drew the attention of the majority of Tigers fans because he’s ready to play in the majors right now and probably will displace current Tigers third baseman Nicholas Castellanos, who appears bound for right field. But Paredes is solid at the plate and in the field.
“He’s performed well as a young guy,” Littlefield said. “He’s an exciting player offensively in that he’s got a real fast bat. He’s another guy who, for a young age, has performed well. He runs well. He’s good defensively. He’s strong for a shortstop.”
Paredes’ strength and the fact that his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame has room to grow are what have some believing he will end up at third base down the road.
The righthanded-hitting Paredes made a strong first impression on the Tigers after the trade. He made his debut for West Michigan on July 31, then hit four home runs in a span of five games in the first week of August. That included an Aug. 8 game that saw him hit two home runs, knock in four runs and total 10 bases.
A 3-for-46 slump soon followed for Paredes, who hit .260/.347/.401 with 11 home runs through 119 games this season.
TIGER TALES
• Outfielder Ross Kivett, a sixth-round pick in 2014, joined Tennessee’s program as a volunteer assistant coach. The Tigers released him in May.
• Mike Rabelo was named manager of the year in the Midwest League while leading a playoff-bound West Michigan team.
—Chris Iott is a writer based in Michigan
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