DETROIT — Infield prospect Isaac Paredes will get his first look of the season with the Tigers this week, even if it’s a short look. The team announced Tuesday that it has recalled its No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
The 22-year-old Paredes will be in uniform for the Tigers’ series opener against the Mariners on Tuesday night. He’ll take the place of Jeimer Candelario, who was placed on the bereavement list.
By rule, players on the bereavement list must miss at least three days and no more than seven. Thus, Candelario — one of the Tigers’ leading hitters this year — will miss the Mariners series and could miss the White Sox series as well.
It’ll be the second big league stint for Paredes, who made his Major League debut last August and served as the Tigers’ primary third baseman for a stretch last season. He batted .220 (22-for-100) last year with four doubles, one home run, six RBIs, eight walks and 24 strikeouts.
Paredes made a strong push for an Opening Day roster spot this year, winning a batting title in the Mexican Winter League before getting a heavy dose of playing time in Spring Training. Manager A.J. Hinch played him at second base in addition to third in hopes of finding an extra infield spot for him, but his struggles at the plate reinforced the belief that he needed some finishing work at Triple-A Toledo after having no Minor League season last year.
As one of the youngest players in Triple-A East, 4.8 years below the league average age, according to Baseball-Reference, Paredes ended last week with the Mud Hens batting .269 (29-for-108) with two homers, 14 RBIs and a .732 OPS. His 14 walks and 17 strikeouts are more in line with his hitting history and his strike-zone awareness.