Power Begins To Develop For Aussie Zac Shepherd

The Tigers have long believed that Australian third baseman Zac Shepherd would eventually hit for power. The 21-year-old now appears to be headed in that direction.

Shepherd hit six home runs in a span of just 10 days early this season at high Class A Lakeland. He hit .310/.398/.560 in April.

Shepherd hit 15 home runs in 2016 at Lakeland in what otherwise was a forgettable offensive season. He hit just .186 and struck out 159 times in 121 games.

The Tigers believe the power numbers will go up and are hopeful the strikeout numbers will go down.

“He’s got power,” farm director Dave Owen said. “Will he have some swing and miss? I wouldn’t think anything alarming. Some guys, when they start putting power numbers up . . . most of them swing and miss. With Shep, it’s just continuing getting at-bats and try to keep it going.”

The Tigers signed Shepherd for $325,000 in 2012 when he was just 16 years old. He made his pro debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League at age 18 in 2014, but he struggled offensively in the years that followed. But he could be on his way to a breakout season.

Shepherd, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, could find himself in an interesting spot if he continues to develop. The Tigers have 25-year-old Nick Castellanos at third base, but if Miguel Cabrera shifts to DH after Victor Martinez’s contract expires following the 2018 season, then Castellanos could potentially move to first base.

That could provide a third-base opportunity for Shepherd. Time will tell whether he’s up for it.

“He’s got a chance to be a good player,” Owen said. “He’s definitely not a finished product. He’s got some things he needs to continue to work on—being consistent—and he will. It’ll be exciting to see where it takes him.”

— Chris Iott is a writer based in Michigan