With first spring homer, Keith set for Opening Day

LAKELAND, Fla. -- For a 22-year-old hitter who has yet to appear in the Majors, Colt Keith has had a mature approach to big league camp. He has prioritized his defense as he tries to shore up an everyday role at second base. He has focused more on his process at the plate than his results.

Still, he admitted Thursday morning, a home run wouldn’t hurt.

“I’ve been getting my hits here and there, but I’m not nearly as close as I want to be to my regular self,” Keith said. “I guess the one positive is I’m not wasting homers in Spring Training, but it’d be nice to get one or two before Spring Training ends.”

Hours later, as he rounded the bases at Joker Marchant Stadium after a second-inning solo homer, he had to be feeling better. He had turned on a cutter from Mets No. 14 prospect Dominic Hamel and sent it 397 feet to right. The 110.1 mph exit velocity was by far his hardest of the spring, his 11th batted ball to reach triple digits in Statcast-equipped parks this spring, and his fifth ball hit 103 mph or harder in the past week.

It was one of four Tigers home runs in a 10-5 loss that turned on a seven-run Mets eighth inning. But Keith’s second-inning homer was hit with the wind blowing in, before it shifted out and balls started flying.

“Most hitters, in the first week of camp, they’ll foul a ball off and say, ‘Give me a week. In a week, I’m gonna crush that,’” manager A.J. Hinch said. “And he, like most hitters, they start getting their timing, they start playing a little bit more, they start to recognize spin a little bit better and things pick up. Baseball players in general are routine based, and Colt’s no different. Even though he’s young, he still likes the everyday component of seeing pitches. The more pitches he’s seen, the better he’s gotten.”

He might not be exactly where he’d like on his timing, but he has quietly posted a solid camp that puts him in position to be ready on Opening Day. His .273 average (12-for-44) doesn’t leap off a screen, but with four extra-base hits, eight RBIs, four walks and nearly twice as many hits as strikeouts (seven), he hasn’t looked lost either.

Not bad for someone who entered camp feeling a little more pressure after signing a long-term contract before playing a day in the Majors. The contract hasn’t been a big topic of conversation in camp, from him or from teammates.

“He’s just done his work,” Hinch said, “and he’s a pretty quiet guy in general. He shows up for early work, shows up for work, wants to get better, has a lot of things he needs to work on to play at this level.”

With a slew of roster moves on Thursday whittling the Tigers’ roster to 13 position players, the same number they’ll carry on Opening Day next Thursday in Chicago, Keith’s spot is pretty much set, not that there was much doubt anyway. The only question now is how regularly he plays at second, or if Andy Ibañez gets some starts there against left-handed starters, such as White Sox Opening Day hurler Garrett Crochet.

Keith’s offense could play a role in that, but his defense is more important. That’s where early work with new infield coach Joey Cora and Hall of Famer Alan Trammell has helped. Trammell has been impressed with what he’s seen.

“That was the majority of the priority,” Keith said. “I think that’s where I could really make strides to get better and help the team. Offensively, I believe that I can kind of figure it out as I go, but defensively I wanted to come in and get better and be able to help the team as soon as possible.

“I feel like I’ve been getting better. Me and Javy [Báez] have played a few games together, turned a few double plays, and a lot of practice.”

Part of that work has involved learning where Báez likes to get the ball on a double-play feed, a process that involved many reps. But while Keith has learned how Báez can turn difficult plays into opportunities, the Tigers have emphasized Keith making the routine play consistently. The rangier plays can come in time.

All in all, he’s ready.

“I’m excited,” Keith said.