DETROIT — Twenty years after Mike Cameron manned center field for the Mariners in the first game at Comerica Park, his son is reporting to the park for the home team. The Tigers on Wednesday morning called up outfielder Daz Cameron, the organization’s No. 7 prospect according to MLB Pipeline,
DETROIT — Twenty years after Mike Cameron manned center field for the Mariners in the first game at Comerica Park, his son is reporting to the park for the home team. The Tigers on Wednesday morning called up outfielder
Cameron replaces Christin Stewart, who was optioned to Toledo after Tuesday’s win over the Brewers.
The 23-year-old Cameron will become the 10th Tiger to make his Major League debut as Detroit’s rebuilding effort intersects with a playoff push amidst a rash of injuries. The Tigers opened Wednesday a game back of the Yankees for the eighth and final American League postseason spot.
Cameron was a first-round pick of the Astros in the 2015 MLB Draft before going to the Tigers two years later in the Justin Verlander trade. The center fielder had a breakout pro season in 2018, making it all the way to Triple-A Toledo, but struggled with the Mud Hens last year, posting a .214 average (96-for-448) and .707 OPS.
Despite the offensive struggles, Cameron’s talent has always been evident. He made several highlight-reel catches for the Tigers in his first big league Spring Training in 2019.
Cameron didn’t have a chance to make an impression in Summer Camp and opened the season on the injured list. He arrived at the alternate training site in Toledo last month and caught up amidst a slew of prospects, including outfielder Riley Greene and top prospect Spencer Torkelson.
The Tigers are without their starting center fielder since JaCoby Jones suffered a fractured left hand last week. Former Rule 5 Draft pick Victor Reyes has filled in capably in center field in his absence, while former first-round pick Derek Hill has become a late-inning defensive replacement and pinch-runner since his callup last week.
Jason Beck has covered the Tigers for MLB.com since 2002. Read Beck’s Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason.