Tigers Assign Four to Minors

According to Tom Gage, the Tigers optioned infielder Audi Ciriaco to Double-A Erie and outfielders Brennan Boesch, Ryan Strieby and Casper Wells to Triple-A Toledo tonight. Where players get optioned in the spring is not necessarily where they start the season but Boesch, Strieby, and Wells could put on a good power show in Toledo this year. They combined for one homer per 14 at bats at Erie last year. Another thing to watch is how well Strieby can make the transition from first base to outfield.

Strieby has the most offensive upside of the four players assigned to the minors but Wells may be closest to the majors. At the beginning of spring training, some thought that he had an outside chance to make the 25-man roster as a backup outfielder if Austin Jackson struggled. Wells had 12 hits in 28 at bats plus 5 extra base hits this spring. However, Jackson has been outstanding both offensively and defensively and will be the every day center fielder. Backup outfielders Ryan Raburn and Clete Thomas have also had strong springs.