'I felt like Jordan': Baddoo brings back homer

DETROIT -- Akil Baddoo thought he had a triple to open the Tigers’ series against the Royals on Friday night, only to watch Hunter Dozier run down the drive in front of the out-of-town scoreboard in right-center.

He was still thinking about that Saturday.

“I told him, ‘I owe you one,’” Baddoo said.

That might explain at least some of his smile as he returned to the ground with Dozier’s would-be home run in his glove in the third inning of Saturday’s 5-1 Tigers victory.

“It was perfect that Dozier hit that,” Baddoo said.

The rest of that smile? Well, in a season full of firsts for the former Rule 5 Draft pick, Baddoo had another one. The man who introduced himself to the big leagues by homering on his first pitch is now taking away homers to close his amazing season.

Which feels better, homering or taking them away?

“That’s probably the first [home run] I’ve ever stolen,” Baddoo said, “so I want to say that one. To come up with that was crazy.”

His pitcher would agree, considering Tarik Skubal gave him a hug in the dugout after the inning.

“That was incredible, by an incredible player,” said Skubal, who finished with four scoreless innings on one hit thanks in no small part to Baddoo’s heroics.

Though Dozier’s third-inning drive Saturday had just a .370 expected batting average according to Statcast, it had just enough carry to clear the left-field fence in front of the bullpens at Comerica Park. It did not have enough carry to clear the glove at the end of Baddoo’s arm, which was extended entirely above the fence at the top of his leap.

“I never thought it was going to leave the park. I mean, we’re at Comerica, and it’s getting colder,” manager A.J. Hinch admitted. “You never really think the ball’s leaving, but he goes after it somewhat casually or under control, and he got to the fence and gave himself a chance.

“I love the smile on his face after he robs the homer. I think that’s the first time he’s done that in the big leagues.”

Actually, Baddoo said, it’s the first time he has robbed a home run anywhere, an incredible first for such a dynamic player.

“Really, the most important part is the jump, making sure you’re not jumping too early,” Baddoo explained. “I got a good break on it and I timed the jump up pretty good. … I felt like Jordan out there.”

It was a big run saved in a low-scoring game that turned on Miguel Cabrera’s go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning. But it also helped to round out the resume on Baddoo’s season. The question of whether Baddoo could stick in the Majors as a Rule 5 pick ended months ago. The question since then has been his fit in the Tigers’ long-term plans.

Baddoo entered Saturday with a .718 OPS in the second half, 95 points below his first-half rate. However, he has found a September surge after batting just .200 with a .480 OPS, no walks and 17 strikeouts over 50 at-bats in August. Much of those struggles came after a stint on the concussion IL following his outfield collision with Derek Hill.

Baddoo had a quiet night at the plate until he drew a one-out walk in the sixth inning off Royals starter Jon Heasley. He nearly outran Hanser Alberto’s tag at third base on a Jonathan Schoop blooper, but replay review determined Alberto tagged him before he reached the bag. Cabrera’s go-ahead double and Jeimer Candelario’s MLB-best 42nd double of the season made up for the out.

Baddoo led off the game-clinching rally in the eighth with a single, this time safely reaching third on a Schoop double. Robbie Grossman’s walk loaded the bases for Cabrera’s 2,983rd career hit, a ground ball through the middle for two more runs.

“There’s just things tonight that show off the growth and maturity and excitement that we have around Akil,” Hinch said. “He’s done a really nice job this season.”

Baddoo’s 1.7 fWAR entering Saturday put him in the top five among AL rookie position players. Only Candelario and Grossman have a higher fWAR among Tigers hitters.

The rookie’s success doesn’t guarantee him anything in 2022. If the Tigers add an outfielder to bolster their offense this offseason, Baddoo could be fighting for a roster spot, and the Tigers will have the option of sending him to the Minor Leagues. Still, the Tigers won’t forget Saturday’s heroics, just as Baddoo didn’t forget Dozier’s catch.