Detroit Tigers third baseman Jeimer Candelario already has made a number of magnificent plays at the hot corner. His instincts - including on a sharp grounder off Whit Merrifield's bat in the eighth inning - helped the team to a 4-3 win Tuesday.
He made a couple more in Wednesday's 5-4 victory as the Tigers improved to 4-2 this season.
"I hit him groundballs today," manager Ron Gardenhire said Tuesday. "I feel pretty good about myself."
The prospect acquired in a 2017 trade with the Chicago Cubs isn't so young anymore. He's a 26-year-old in his third full season with the Tigers. With thes confidence in the field (15 assists, no errors), but he's still laboring at the plate.
This season he's 0-for-13 with two walks and six strikeouts in four games, including a 0-for-4 performance with two strikeouts Wednesday.
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"Sometimes we don't hit the way we want," Candelario said Thursday. "But if I could play a really good third base until thes, I will help my team no matter what, offensively or defensively."
Gardenhire moved him from No. 5 to No. 7 in the batting order Thursday against Royals prospect Brady Singer, sliding Christin Stewart and Cameron Maybin ahead of him.
Three players - Dawel Lugo, Harold Castro and Jordy Mercer - are pushing Candelario for playing time. Last season, the 26-year-old Castro hit .291 with five homers and 38 RBIs in 97 games.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old prospect Isaac Paredes is waiting at Fifth Third Field in Toledo with the reserve squad.
"I want to help my team win," Candelario said. "That's the mentality, no matter if I'm 3-for-3, or if I'm 0-for-2, 0-for-3. That's really helped me a lot, and being ready for anything."
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He went through similar offensive struggles for Toros del Este in the Dominican Winter League this offseason. He hit .244 with one home run and 14 RBIs in 23 regular-season games, starting slow but eventually making improvements. Candelario was named MVP of the league's championship series.
When Candelario came to Detroit in 2017, he hit .330 with two home runs and 13 RBIs in 27 games; he has regressed each year since.
In 20, he was second on the team with 19 homers, but was otherwise dismal, with a .224 batting average, 54 RBIs, 160 strikeouts and 66 walks. Last season, he slashed a measly .203/.306/.337, with only eight homers and 32 RBIs in 94 games.
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And this year, he's hitless through four games.
"Candy's on a mission, on a mission to get it done," Gardenhire said. "He's worked hard, and it shows right on the field."
It's unusual to see Miguel Cabrera struggle in late July. Typically, that's when he is at his best. This season, however, is unlike any other.
Through six games, the 37-year-old is 2-for-22 (.091) with one home run and two RBIs. He has six strikeouts and four walks.
"He's trying to find his swing, gets frustrated," Gardenhire said. "He hits the ball right in the nose, and it's going at people right now. It's just one of those things. He wants to be a part of this thing and hit, and he will.
"As a manager, you got tons of things to worry about. I'm not worried about Miggy. This guy can hit. He hit a couple of bullets, they went right at people. He'll find his swing, get some holes. Once he does that, he'll be on a run."
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Cabrera played 136 games through a right knee injury last season, but Gardenhire often gave him a day off when the team had a day game following a night game.
For now, don't expect the 11-time All-Star to ask for rest.
"It's early," Gardenhire said. "He likes to play."
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