Daz Cameron went yard off of Masahiro Tanaka

We’re not going to say that we would currently be a composing a “Why Daz Cameron should break camp with the Tigers,” article if the team projected to be a contender, but yes, we absolutely would be doing that. We are already pretty high on the young center fielder. Now, after reaching the Triple-A level at the end of a fine 2018 season, Cameron is playing like a guy who expects to break camp with the major league club.

Entering Friday night’s contest against the New York Yankees, Cameron had three doubles and a triple, hitting .333/.400/.611 on the spring. We are only talking about 18 at-bats in exhibition games here, but it’s nice to see Cameron come in looking very much like he belongs, and knows it. The 22-year-old checked in fourth on BYB’s 2019 Tigers prospect rankings. While he will probably spent the year in Triple-A Toledo, only the Tigers’ desire to take things slow with him might prevent a major league debut this season.

Just yesterday, Cameron drew some eyes with a diving catch in center field. On Friday, he made things happen with his bat instead. In his second plate appearance against Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka Cameron drilled a solo shot to right field.

We need hope, and in the early going, young Mr. Cameron is providing a nice dose of it. The 2019 Toledo Mud Hens will boast one of their best rosters in years. Here in Detroit, we will have to be patient a little while longer.