{"id":812153,"date":"2026-09-23T09:31:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T09:31:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/812153\/"},"modified":"2026-09-23T09:31:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T09:31:34","slug":"a-j-hinch-just-revealed-ben-malgeris-possible-2027-tigers-role","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/812153\/","title":{"rendered":"A.J. Hinch Just Revealed Ben Malgeri\u2019s Possible 2027 Tigers Role"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ben Malgeri<\/a>\u2019s breakthrough performance Monday gave the Detroit Tigers more than another encouraging result from a young player.<\/p>\n

It also prompted manager A.J. Hinch to provide the clearest explanation yet of how Malgeri could fit into the Tigers\u2019 2027 roster.<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old outfielder homered, doubled and made an impressive defensive play in Detroit\u2019s 9-2 victory over the Washington Nationals. His three-run home run highlighted a five-run fifth inning, while his first-inning catch prevented Washington from creating an early scoring opportunity.<\/p>\n

Malgeri\u2019s performance did not guarantee him a place on next year\u2019s roster. Hinch\u2019s comments nevertheless established a specific path for a player who entered the organization as an 18th-round selection in the 2021 MLB draft.<\/p>\n

Malgeri Maximized His Limited Opportunity\"Ben<\/p>\n

Detroit Tigers right fielder Ben Malgeri (53) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring. Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Malgeri made his first major contribution before stepping into the batter\u2019s box.<\/p>\n

Washington\u2019s Abimelec Ortiz drove a 108 mph line drive toward the right-center-field gap in the opening inning. Malgeri covered considerable ground and made a diving catch, ending the inning and helping River Ryan complete a scoreless first frame in his Tigers debut.<\/p>\n

Ben Malgeri lays out to make a terrific catch! pic.twitter.com\/6ZJ5alGwQa<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB (@MLB) September 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cUnbelievable play,\u201d Ryan said, according to\u00a0MLB.com\u2019s Jason Beck<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Malgeri doubled off the left-field wall in his first plate appearance. He delivered an even larger hit in the fifth, driving a splitter from Luis Perales over the left-field wall after Riley Greene walked and Eduardo Valencia doubled.<\/p>\n

The three-run shot gave Malgeri his fourth Major League home run and extended Detroit\u2019s lead to 7-0. Javier B\u00e1ez<\/a> and Spencer Torkelson also homered as the Tigers collected 12 hits. <\/p>\n

The performance carried additional significance because Malgeri had not received the same extended opportunity as several of the club\u2019s other young players.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf all the young guys, he\u2019s probably gotten the least amount of runway,\u201d Hinch told MLB.com.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo out there keep playing hard. Play our brand of baseball and don\u2019t just turn it in the rest of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben Malgeri after the @tigers<\/a> take game 1 against the Nationals. pic.twitter.com\/k46xFGkncv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Detroit SportsNet (@WatchDSN) September 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Detroit selected Malgeri\u2019s contract from Triple-A Toledo on June 23, according to the\u00a0official Tigers transaction log<\/a>. Before his promotion, he produced a .296\/.401\/.496 slash line with nine home runs and 34 RBIs. His 1.077 OPS against left-handed pitching also suggested that he could help balance a lineup containing several left-handed hitters.<\/p>\n

Right-Handed Outfield Role Could Extend Into 2027\"Ben<\/p>\n

Detroit Tigers right fielder Ben Malgeri (53) catches for a fly out against Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Hinch described Malgeri as the potential \u201cright-handed part of an outfield play,\u201d with the ability to move between both corner positions.<\/p>\n

The manager also indicated he would consider using Malgeri in center field, even though the Tigers have rarely played him there during his first Major League stint.<\/p>\n

That versatility could become Malgeri\u2019s strongest argument for a roster spot. Detroit would not necessarily need him to earn an everyday job. A reserve capable of playing all three outfield spots, contributing against left-handed pitching and supplying late-inning defense could carry considerable value.<\/p>\n

The competition would remain significant. Matt Vierling, Parker Meadows, and Wenceel P\u00e9rez were among the injured outfielders expected to return in 2027, according to MLB\u2019s\u00a0official Tigers injury tracker<\/a>. Their returns could reduce the available playing time that helped Malgeri receive his initial opportunity.<\/p>\n

Detroit could also pursue another right-handed hitter during the offseason. Malgeri therefore still needed to demonstrate that Monday\u2019s combination of power and defense could become a repeatable part of his game.<\/p>\n

Hinch planned to give him additional chances before the schedule ended. The manager told MLB.com that Malgeri would play Tuesday again and likely receive another start during the final weekend.<\/p>\n

Those appearances would not completely determine his future, but they could strengthen his case for remaining on the 40-man roster and entering spring training as a legitimate bench candidate.<\/p>\n

The Tigers already knew their former 18th-round pick could handle multiple outfield positions. Monday showed that he could also influence a game with his bat and glove.<\/p>\n

More importantly, Hinch revealed how Detroit might use those skills. Malgeri no longer appeared to be competing for an undefined opportunity. He had a potential role\u2014and several final chances to prove he could fill it.<\/p>\n

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