Detroit Tigers’ Lance Parrish tried to be switch-hitting third baseman
Detroit Tigers legend Lance Parrish joined the “Days of Roar” podcast, sharing the story of his brief stint as a switch-hitting third baseman.
The Detroit Tigers will never forget Andy Ibáñez.
For three years, Ibáñez filled a valuable platoon role as a right-handed hitting infielder who appeared almost exclusively against left-handed pitchers. Without his heroics, the Tigers might not have swept the Houston Astros in the best-of-three 2024 American League wild-card series – thanks to his clutch pinch-hit, three-run double off left-handed reliever Josh Hader with two strikes and two outs in the eighth inning of Game 2.
But Ibáñez is no longer with the Tigers.
Two prospects – Max Anderson and Hao-Yu Lee – are the leading candidates to replace him.
“This time last year, Jahmai Jones was not a part of this,” manager A.J. Hinch said Dec. 8 at the MLB Winter Meetings, referencing the Tigers’ other right-handed hitter who performed in platoon matchups in 2025. “Now we’re like, ‘Wow, can we get his defense, his offense – did I hit him enough against right-handed pitching when he demonstrated he can control his at-bats?’ I’m not saying that we have all the answers now. This is still the offseason.”
The Tigers non-tendered Ibáñez on Nov. 21, sending him into free agency.
It was a performance-based decision: Beginning July 21, 2024, Ibáñez struggled in his role, hitting just .227 with a .636 OPS in his final 201 plate appearances against lefties. Before that stretch, he had thrived, hitting .314 with a .915 OPS in his first 206 plate appearances against lefties.
Without Ibáñez, the Tigers no longer have a right-handed hitting infielder who can start or pinch-hit against left-handed pitchers – a key complement to left-handed hitting infielders Colt Keith and Zach McKinstry.
Jones has emerged as an important piece, but his role is limited. He profiles primarily as a designated hitter – often paired with left-handed hitter Kerry Carpenter – because his defense makes him nearly unplayable in both the infield and outfield.
A void still exists.
The Tigers need a replacement for Ibáñez.
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That’s where Anderson and Lee enter the Tigers’ plans for the 2026 season.
Both reached the Triple-A level in 2025.
Lee spent the entire season in Triple-A Toledo, hitting .243 with 14 home runs, 65 walks (11.2% walk rate) and 121 strikeouts (20.9% strikeout rate) in 126 games, making 60 starts at third base, 54 at second and 12 at designated hitter.
He hit .299 with a .919 OPS in 124 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers.
The Tigers acquired Lee – who turns 23 in early February – from the Philadelphia Phillies in the Michael Lorenzen trade in August 2023, then added him to the 40-man roster in November 2025 to protect him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft.
“There’s a ton of damage there against lefties,” general manager Jeff Greenberg said Dec. 9 at the Winter Meetings. “He can play second and third. He fills a lot of those things that in the past we’ve gotten from others, and that’s going to put him in those conversations if he can do those things moving forward. It’s going to be a big camp for him.”
Anderson joined Triple-A Toledo in mid-August, hitting .267 with five home runs, eight walks (5.4% walk rate) and 28 strikeouts (19% strikeout rate) in 32 games, making 11 starts at second base, 11 starts at designated hitter and 10 starts at third base.
He hit .341 with a 1.017 OPS in 133 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers, spanning both Double-A and Triple-A.
Anderson, who turns 24 in late February, is a strong candidate to become the first draft pick under president of baseball operations Scott Harris to make his MLB debut. In the 2023 draft, the Tigers selected him with the No. 45 overall pick out of Nebraska. Unlike Lee, Anderson isn’t a member of the Tigers’ 40-man roster yet.
“I think Max Anderson’s immediate fit comes as that right-handed player who complements the left-handed side at third base,” Hinch said. “Max becomes a candidate at some point to fill that role. His contact skills, power and ability to play multiple positions, those are all great attributes. His offensive profile has opened some eyes.”
Between the two prospects, Lee is viewed as more likely to develop into an everyday player.
For now, both upper-level prospects are gearing up to compete for one platoon role on the Tigers’ Opening Day roster in 2026, potentially replacing Ibáñez as the right-handed hitting infielder in situations against left-handed pitchers.
“We’re excited about some young players who have gotten into Double-A and Triple-A,” Hinch said, referencing Lee, Anderson and left-handed hitting top prospect Kevin McGonigle, who needs to play at the Triple-A level before making his MLB debut. “Some will factor in sooner than others, but it’s something that we will sort out. We’ll have them prepared to compete for any opportunity.”
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
Listen to our weekly Tigers show “Days of Roar” every Monday afternoon during the season and Tuesday afternoon during the offseason on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
