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Here's what Zach McKinstry does that intrigued the Detroit Tigers

Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press
·4 min read
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Three days before Opening Day, the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs linked up for a trade.

The Tigers, searching for a left-handed hitting infielder, acquired utility player Zach McKinstry from the Cubs in exchange for right-handed pitcher Carlos Guzman, an underrated prospect.

McKinstry, a Central Michigan alumnus, received a spot on the Tigers' Opening Day roster without spending a single day with the team in spring training. The 27-year-old took ground balls and batting practice during Wednesday's workout at Tropicana Field and could start Saturday against Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Zach Eflin.

"First of all, Zach has dominated minor-league pitching since 2019," Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said. "You guys have all seen his performance. He has a strong track record of controlling the strike zone, and he plays above-average defense at multiple spots around the diamond."

Zach McKinstry at a workout at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida on March 29, 2023.
Zach McKinstry at a workout at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida on March 29, 2023.

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McKinstry turns 28 in late April and doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so he can't be sent to Triple-A Toledo without being removed from the 40-man roster. Before acquiring him, the Tigers cut César Hernández (switch-hitter), Andy Ibañez (right-handed hitter) and Zack Short (righty hitter).

He has a .208 batting average over 121 games in his MLB career.

"That performance hasn't translated to the big leagues yet," Harris continued. "However, if you look at his career at every stop of the minor leagues, he's been challenged to perform, and he has responded at virtually every level of the minor leagues. We're going to give him that opportunity in the big leagues here."

McKinstry, who hit .199 in 40 big-league games with the Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers last season, performed significantly better in the minor leagues. That has been the tale of his career.

He had a .335 batting average with four homers and a .417 on-base percentage across 48 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City, posting a 12.1% walk rate and 14.8% strikeout rate.

"Just trying to get comfortable in the box as much as possible and having good at-bats," McKinstry said. "Sometimes, these guys have better wipeout pitches than guys in Triple-A. I'm trying to stay on top of that, get good pitches to hit early and take advantage of those."

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In Chicago, McKinstry knew he wouldn't last long once the Cubs signed shortstop Dansby Swanson to a seven-year, $177 million contract in the offseason. He viewed spring training as an audition for the 29 other teams.

He finished 3-for-38 (.079) with seven walks and eight strikeouts this spring. The Cubs liked his overall makeup but didn't view him as a true shortstop and didn't think he would hit for more than a little power.

The trade happened Monday.

"They called me into the office and said I didn't make the team," McKinstry said. "(Manager David Ross) sat me down and said I didn't make the team, and they were working on some things that I probably wasn't going to get (designated for assignment) but I was probably going to get traded somewhere else."

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Chicago Cubs second baseman Zach McKinstry (6) celebrates with teammates after hitting a 3-run home run in the sixth inning of the MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.
Chicago Cubs second baseman Zach McKinstry (6) celebrates with teammates after hitting a 3-run home run in the sixth inning of the MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.

McKinstry hit .270 against right-handed pitchers and .279 against left-handers in the majors and the minors last season. He can play second base, third base, shortstop, left field and right.

On paper, the Tigers' addition of McKinstry is confusing. He has played sporadically in the big leagues since 2020 — accruing 364 plate appearances in 121 games — but has never shown an ability to hit.

But Harris acquired McKinstry for his minor-league stats.

"We like what he has done with the bat," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. "He needs some opportunity to have it transition from the minor leagues to the major leagues. I see him getting a lot of at-bats against right-handed pitching. ... I think he can help us win. His strengths really fit this team."

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Why Detroit Tigers are betting on Zach McKinstry's minor-league record