Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals - September 8

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Steven Moya watches the second inning of a game against the Kansas City Royals in Detroit on Sept. 8.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive Media Group)

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers really, really like outfield prospect Steven Moya.

So much so, they will probably keep him off their opening day roster.

Moya will get a chance this spring to crack the Tigers' 25-man roster out of camp, but given the team's current makeup in the outfield and Moya's inexperience, it appears the 23-year-old is destined to open the season in Triple-A Toledo.

"At this point, it would probably be tough," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Saturday when asked about Moya's chances at making the opening day roster.

Like Ausmus, Tigers assistant general manager Al Avila spoke glowingly about Moya, but said he didn't envision Moya opening the season in Detroit. Instead, Avila said it makes more sense to have Moya play every day in Triple-A Toledo.

"With a guy like Moya, you don't want to bring him in and have him on the bench to play once in a while," he said. "You want him to be playing every single day."

Ausmus echoed Avila's comments when he met with a group of reporters at Comerica Park, but admitted injuries could play a role in the shape of the roster.

"Things could change, something could happen with an injury, but Moya does need at-bats," Ausmus said. "Unless something happens, and he's going to end up getting at-bats, it would be tough."

As it stands right now, it's difficult to find a spot for Moya, who was named the Eastern League's MVP last season. Yoenis Cespedes, J.D. Martinez, Rajai Davis and Anthony Gose all appear to have cemented their spot on the roster. The Tigers will likely carry a fifth outfielder, but it appears Tyler Collins may have the slight edge.

"I think our outfield, right now, is pretty well set," said Avila, who identified Collins as a player seemingly ready to make a full-time jump to the majors.

Ranked the Tigers' No. 2 prospect according to Baseball America, Moya's ceiling may be higher than several outfielders on the Tigers' 40-man roster. However, he spent all of last season in Double-A Erie, and has little experience in the majors.

Another concern with Moya is his high strikeout rate. Despite setting a single-season franchise record for extra-base hits (71), home runs (35) and RBIs (105) in Erie, Moya struck out a team-high 161 times and drew just 23 walks.

In order to improve his discipline at the plate, a long stint in Toledo will likely be necessary. Sitting on the bench in Detroit would likely only add to his troubles.

"When he's ready, believe me, he'll come up and will be an everyday player at that point," Avila said. "You will have a superstar waiting in the wings."

Tigers tried to bring back Kelly

The Tigers expressed strong interest in re-signing utility player Don Kelly to a minor league deal this winter, Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said Saturday.

Kelly, who spent six seasons with the Tigers, rejected the offer and signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training with the Miami Marlins last week.

"We would've loved to bring him back," Dombrowski said. "But he thought his opportunity to make a major-league club was better with Miami than it was here this year."

Dombrowski said Andrew Romine and Hernan Perez, both of whom will get work in the outfield this spring, are candidates to fill the super-utility role previously held by Kelly.

Odds & ends

-- Alan Trammell, special assistant to Dombrowski, said he plans to head to Lakeland when position players report in mid-February and intends to remain with the team in camp the entire time.

-- Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos will visit Tigers defensive coordinator Matt Martin at his home in Lubbock, Texas in early February before camp. Castellanos said he'll work primarily on his footwork in preparation for the upcoming season.

-- Starting pitcher David Price, who is set to enter free agency after this season, said he "absolutely" will consider a long-term extension with the Tigers.

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