When Tigers General Manager Dave Dombrowski sat down to talk with the media following the end of the 2009 season, he sounded very much like a man who was prepared to move into next season with a new second baseman.

With Placido Polanco hitting free agency, the Tigers are faced with the possibility that he will be playing elsewhere next season, and they will have to find a suitable replacement.  In the past, Dombrowski would be scouring the free agents and trade market to fill the void.  This season, he already has a plan.

Scott Sizemore is a 24 year old minor league second baseman that split the 2009 season between AA Erie and AAA Toledo.  He was the Tigers fifth round draft pick in 2006 and has worked his way rapidly through the system.

Although questions remain concerning his defensive abilities, Sizemore’s bat has drawn the attention of the Tigers’ front office.  After spending his first three seasons toiling in the low minors, Sizemore began 2009 with the AA Erie SeaWolves.  In 59 with Erie he posted a .307/.402/.535 line that included nine home runs and 33 RBI.  He performed so well that he earned a promotion to Toledo.

Even with the jump to the highest level of the minor leagues, Sizemore just kept hitting.  He played 71 games for the MudHens and swatted eight homers, again knocking in 33 while carrying a .308/.378/.473 line.  He sports a career on base percentage of .383 in almost 1700 minor league plate appearances.

Though Sizemore did not receive a September call-up to Detroit, he did represent the Tigers in the Future’s game during the All-Star break in St. Louis.  The Tigers thought enough of him to send him to Arizona to compete in the Fall League.  Sizemore took an 0 for 4 in his AFL debut, after that he has taken off.

Over his last three games, Sizemore has belted three home runs, knocked in nine, and added two doubles.  In his four games thus far, he has an astounding line of .375/.400/1.063.

I don’t suppose the door has been closed on a Polanco return to Detroit, but Sizemore is certainly doing his best to help the Tigers feel better if Polly does walk away.  The four to six million bucks the Tigers would save doesn’t hurt, either.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 10:39 am and is filed under News Headlines, Off-Season, Roster Rumblings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.