The Tigers are calling up outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports (X link). Malloy will be making his MLB debut when he first appears in a game, which could happen as early as Monday when the Tigers begin a series with the Rangers. The corresponding move or moves aren’t yet known, as Detroit will have to open up space on both the 26-man and 40-man rosters.
Malloy was a sixth-round pick for the Braves in the 2021 draft, and was dealt to Detroit in December 2022 as part of the trade that brought Joe Jimenez into the Atlanta bullpen. Drafted as a third baseman out of Georgia Tech, Austin Riley’s presence in Atlanta made him something of an expendable piece, as the Braves apparently weren’t sold on Malloy’s potential as an outfielder after deploying him exclusively as a left fielder in Double-A and Triple-A.
He still saw some work at the hot corner after joining the Tigers organization, but Malloy went into 2024 prepping to be a full-time outfielder, and he has indeed played only in the corners (and at DH) at Triple-A Toledo this season. Baseball America and MLB Pipeline each rank Malloy as the sixth-best prospect in the Tigers’ farm system, and their scouting reports both indicate Malloy has a strong throwing arm, even if his time at third base was hampered by some accuracy issues in throwing to first base.
Even if Malloy is just a passable defensive outfielder, the Tigers will happily make do as long as Malloy can hit. Malloy has a .272/.417/.474 slash line over 838 career plate appearances at the Triple-A level, and has drawn raves for his approach at the plate. According to BA’s report, “Malloy manages to get to average or better power — despite modest raw juice — because he’s an highly intelligent hitter with a plan at the plate and an excellent idea of the strike zone.” His high on-base numbers reflect his outstanding batting eye, and he has sharply increased his line drive rate from 24% in 2023 to 28.3% this season.
The 24-year-old Malloy is a right-handed hitter, so he’ll add to a Detroit lineup that now tilts even more heavily to the right side since Kerry Carpenter is on the injured list. However, lineup balance will take a back seat to production of any kind, given how the Tigers have been struggling to score runs. Carpenter will be sidelined for an indefinite amount of time with a lumbar spine stress fracture and Mark Canha has been trying to play through some hip problems, though Canha was back in today’s lineup.
Malloy could slide right in as a makeshift replacement for Carpenter, getting work at either corner outfield spot or as a DH depending on how the Tigers build their lineup. This might also end up being Malloy’s general usage over the long term if he can stick as an outfielder, potentially replacing Canha if the veteran moves on as a free agent after the season.
He’s gonna give Detroit a boost
Why did Atlanta give this stud away for a reliever?
I believe they weren’t happy with his defense and had Riley. plus Jimenez has been pretty solid for the braves. a win/win kind of deal
Exactly right. Poor defensively and considered a future DH by many. Jimenez was considered the Tigers future closer at one time. I believe one season (while he pitched for the Whitecaps), he didn’t allow a single run for the 1st half of the season . Or close to midseason.
Long awaited and well deserved for this young man. Hope to watch him succeed and give the offense a much needed boost!
Corresponding move may be Tork down to AAA….1st overall and struggling mightily…Give Malloy some ABs and see if Tork can find something in AAA and move Cahana to 1st
Sorry Urshela to 1st and the hot Vierling to 3rd…
Yeah, something like that sounds logical. With Carp out, there is no obvious DH so Malloy can fill that role. The 40-man moves seems rather obvious too – some guy named Easton Lucas they claimed off waivers from the A’s, and who has a 10.80 ERA albeit in just 5 innings. The worst thing (for fans) would be to put Carp on the 60-day IL.
Agree. I feel bad for Tork, but he has really been worse than Cabrera was. I also notice that Parker Meadows is not brought back. He isn’t doing much down in Toledo either.
Malloy was fun to follow during Spring training. he deserves a shot/
I’m also pleased that Perez continues be productive and man, Vierling is playing All Star quality baseball. He made a great back hand stab and throw out at 3rd in the 9th today.
Now, when do they send Casey Mize to Toledo? Manning has pitched better than Casey.
Mize would have to agree to go down to AAA. He has 3+ years of service time. Manning doesn;t have that yet.
Or maybe they move on from McKinistry.
Anthony Navigato has quietly moved up the ranks and is playing a weak defensive SS in Toledo, but hitting.
Crazy how fast they have already moved on from Miggy.
I mean what else are they supposed to do? He’s retired
I mean they have basically left a hole at 1st base all season. Should have just played without one.
Get some new material. Copy/paste is not very creative!
Were they supposed to have a period of mourning and sit out the season? Cabrera retired (arguably 2 or 3 seasons later than he should have). Cabrera got lucky that they respected him enough to let him play out his final season rather than just eating the money and cutting him loose
Even Cabrera’s last year was better than what Torkelson has done this season.
Not me….we need Miggie to keep those pesky umps in line…..
Bam! Super excited to see this guy in the lineup. Hopefully he is an offensive spark.
Too many Ys in that name.
Tork and Meadows =‘s trade bait !
The problem is the Tigers wouldn’t get much for them now. In 2-3 years they will be better.
Unfortunately, neither is likely to ever even make an all star team.
Torkelson would be extraordinarily lucky to even have an Adam Dunn….let alone Dave Kingman….like career.
He was great in Kramer vs. Kramer, but he must be in his 50s by now.