MLB Tigers Season Wrapup

Seven former Tigers played in the major leagues in 2016, one of the highest totals in Clemson history. Included in the list were first-year major leaguers Mike Freeman and Spencer Kieboom. Veterans Dominic Leone, Brad Miller, Ben Paulsen, Richie Shaffer and Tony Sipp also saw action in the majors in 2016.

As a rookie with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners, Freeman (2008-10) batted .227 (5-for-22) with a double, RBI, run and two walks in 21 games. He was 0-for-9 with the Diamondbacks, then moved to the Mariners, where he was 5-for-13 (.385) in 13 games.

Kieboom (2010-12) also made his MLB debut in 2016. After being called up late in the season, he played in the regular-season finale against the Marlins. He drew a pinch-hit walk and scored a run in the Nationals’ 10-7 win.

Leone (2010-12) played his third year in the majors and second with the Diamondbacks in 2016. He was 0-1 with a 6.33 ERA and 23 strikeouts against 12 walks in 27.0 innings pitched over 25 relief appearances. Leone is 8-8 with a 4.07 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 108.1 innings pitched over 95 relief appearances in his major league career.

After three seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Miller (2009-11) had a breakout season in his first year with the Rays in 2016. In 152 games, he batted .243 with 73 runs, 29 doubles, six triples, 30 homers, 81 RBIs and six steals. He set a record for the most homers by a former Tiger in the majors in a season. In his four-year MLB career, he is hitting .246 with 205 runs, 77 doubles, 20 triples, 59 homers, 199 RBIs and 28 steals in 495 games.

In his third year with the Rockies, Paulsen (2007-09) batted .217 with five doubles, one homer and 11 RBIs in 39 games. In his MLB career, he is hitting .271 with 28 doubles, four triples, 16 homers and 70 RBIs in 186 games.

Shaffer (2010-12), Miller’s teammate with the Rays in 2016, played his second MLB season in 2016. He hit .250 with six doubles, one homer and four RBIs in 20 games. In two major league seasons, he is hitting .213 with nine doubles, five homers and 10 RBIs in 51 games.

Sipp (2004) played his eighth MLB season in 2016 and third with the Astros. He was 1-2 with one save, a 4.95 ERA and 40 strikeouts against 18 walks in 43.2 innings pitched over 60 relief appearances. In his MLB career, Sipp is 22-18 with seven saves, a 3.65 ERA and 432 strikeouts against 183 walks in 406.2 innings pitched over 480 relief appearances.