Akil Baddoo could be the future of baseball.
Let’s admit it, the Detroit Tigers are not fun. We can’t even pretend that Detroit will do anything interesting as a team, and could very well be one of the worst teams in baseball. They do, however, have one big spotlight: Baddoo.
He’s caught lighting in a bottle and is one of the most electric players in the game right now, and his story is incredible itself. Baddoo was a prospect out of high school, but had Tommy John Surgery, and was a Rule 5 draft pick. Basically, a Rule 5 pick means that you spent enough time in the minors without making a 40-man roster, and another team puts you on theirs. It’s pretty tough to make noise as a Rule 5 pick, considering it means that one organization isn’t interested in you.
But Baddoo has made the most of it, and although he has never made it past Single A until this year, found himself on the Tigers’ roster on April 4th. His first pitch? A home run.
To make the story better, he hit a grand slam in the next game, while getting a walk-off on Tuesday. The best part? His parents being there every step of the way.
Last season, COVID-19 overshadowed many of the great stories of baseball, and many cared more about what teams were still playing rather than the players in the game. But with this season, we get more focus on these stories, and within these stories, we can find the future of baseball.
So where is that future of baseball?
Detroit.
MORE DEBUTS
The debuts never stop. I am going to complete the list so everything is up-to-date.
Jake Brentz, Kansas City
The lefty is already on his fourth organization since being drafted in 2013. He had a sub-3.00 e.r.a. in Spring Training and can hit 100 mph, but struggles with control. He will start as reliever for the Royals.
Debut: April 3rd, 0.2 in, 1 h, 0 er, 1 bb, 1 k
Luis Oviedo, Pittsburgh
Signed for $375,000 in 2015, and is originally from Venezuela. Another Rule 5 pick, he had a fairly good debut for a bad team.
Debut: April 3rd, 1.0 in, 0 er, 1 k
Paul Campbell, Miami
Drafted in 2017 out of Clemson, the righty has great spin rate on his curveball and fastball. Despite average velocity, he will be used as both a reliever and a starter
Debut: April 3rd, 2.0 in, 4 h, 3 er, 1 bb, 1 k, 0-1 strikeout
Zach Pop, Miami
Another college arm from 2017 for Miami, this time from Kentucky. Another rule 5 pick, he has a great sinker, but did have Tommy John surgery in 2019.
Debut: April 3rd, 1.0 in, 0 er
Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona
The youngest Diamondbacks position player to debut since Justin Upton, Perdomo has a great approach to the plate. He is primarily a SS, and is from the Dominican Republic.
Debut: April 3rd, 0-1, 1 k
Akil Baddoo, Detroit
Needs no introduction.
Debut: April 4th, 1-3, hr, k
Garrett Whitlock, Boston
A righty from UAB, Whitlock was also drafted in 2017. He had Tommy John surgery in 2019 and was a Rule 5 pick last season. Should be a strong relief arm for Boston.
Debut: April 4th, 3.1 in, 3 h, 0 er, 5 k
Tyler Wells, Baltimore
You’ve heard it before: college arm (Cal St. San Bernardino), Tommy John surgery, Rule 5 pick, but Wells is 6’8 and will be a great reliever for Baltimore, with the possibility of spot starts.
Debut: April 4th, 1.0 in, 1 h, 0 er, 1 bb
Ryan McKenna, Baltimore
Drafted in 2015, he went to St. Thomas Aquinas in New Hampshire. He has great speed, and will be a strong defensive player.
Debut: April 5th, 0-2, bb, k
Mac Sceroler, Baltimore
Drafted in 2017 from SE Louisiana, another big righty for Baltimore.
Debut: April 5th, 2.2 in, 2 bb, 0 er, 4 k
Kevin Padlo, Tampa Bay
A 2015 high school draft pick from Murrieta Valley in California, he went to school with Tyler Wade. Will be a power-bat at 3rd base.
Debut: April 6th, 0-2, k
Matt Peacock, Arizona
Drafted as a 23-year old redshirt senior from South Alabama, Peacock had an excellent debut. He also gets lots of ground balls.
Debut: April 6th, 3.0 in, 1 h, 0 er, 1 bb, 1 k, win, 1-1, run scored