Matt Vierling's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Detroit Tigers outfielder/infielder Matt Vierling was busy on Wednesday, going 4-for-8 with two home runs, three runs scored, and five RBI across two games of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Vierling increased the Tigers' lead with a fifth-inning, three-run homer in Game 1, later continuing his hot hitting with a solo home run in the third inning of Game 2. The big day raised his triple-slash line to .289/.320/.503 with seven homers, 28 RBI, and 22 runs scored through 159 at-bats this year. The 27-year-old utility man is worth riding in fantasy while he's hot at the dish, but Vierling doesn't seem like much of a long-term solution in Detroit's low-scoring offense.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Matt Vierling was 4-for-6 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored during Sunday's 14-11 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. The 27-year-old smashed a Zach Pop offering to left field in the sixth inning to put the Tigers up 9-5. He then gave his team the victory with a monster three-run blast off of Jordan Romano in the bottom of the ninth. Vierling is now slashing .278/.311/.464 with five homers, 23 RBI and 19 runs scored across 47 games. He has not been an everyday player this season, but his playing time should increase after a performance like this. He may be a worthwhile option for managers in AL-only formats if he continues to leadoff with consistency.

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said the team is planning for "optionality" at third base in 2024 between Matt Vierling, Andy Ibanez and Zach McKinstry. Prospect Colt Keith, who signed a long-term contract extension last weekend, will play second base and is expected to be an everyday contributor. The 27-year-old Vierling should be the primary third baseman coming out of spring training. The Tigers moved Vierling from the outfield to the hot corner in August of 2023. He's unlikely to be an above-average contributor on offense without hitting for more power. Ibanez, 30, responded to a bad start last year by hitting .294 with 10 homers in his final 87 games. Ibanez, who hits right-handed, and McKinstry set up as natural platoon partners at third base, but McKinstry struggled at the plate in 2023. Prospect Jace Jung could become the team's regular third baseman by the end of the 2024 season.

As of right now, the likely favorite to start at third base on Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers is Matt Vierling, whom the team acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies last offseason. With a weak free-agent market for hitters, the Tigers seem content to let their internal options battle it out while also keeping the runway clear for young hitters like Colt Keith and possibly Jace Jung to make their big-league debuts in 2024. Last year, Detroit's third basemen ranked 28th with a .624 OPS and 27th at minus-0.3 bWAR. Vierling played 35 games at the hot corner in 2023 but had a pedestrian .261 average and 96 OPS+. The Tigers will be hoping he can start elevating and pulling the ball more to dig into more of his power. If the 27-year-old struggles, Detroit has plenty of other options in Andy Ibanez, Zach McKinstry, Nick Maton and Ryan Kreidler. Ibanez is more comfortable at second, but he's deserving of more playing time after posting an .891 OPS after June 2.