Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo crushed a home run Sunday at Comerica Park against the Cleveland Indians on the first pitch in his first MLB at-bat.
The offering was an 89 mph fastball from right-hander Aaron Civale. Baddoo — the ninth Tiger to homer in his first at-bat — sent the ball 372 feet the opposite way to left field. He had a 103.7 mph exit velocity. His blast gave the Tigers a 3-1 lead in the third inning.
He started in left field, batting ninth in manager AJ Hinch’s lineup in Game 3 of the season for the Tigers (2-0).
Baddoo was a Rule 5 draft pick in December from the Minnesota Twins.
[ Akil Baddoo was surprise of spring for Tigers. It was a no brainer to keep him ]
He hasn’t played above High-A in the minor leagues and underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2019. The 22-year-old went 13-for-40 (.325) in spring training with two doubles, five home runs, 11 RBIs, 10 walks and 14 strikeouts.
If he doesn’t stay on the active 26-man roster for the entire 2021 season, he must be offered back to the Twins.
[ The Tigers are unbeaten! Here are 10 things to like already about 2021 ]
Evan Petzold is a sports reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.