DETROIT — Colt Keith spent his rookie season in 2024 as the Detroit Tigers’ regular second baseman.
But he was without a consistent home for much of 2025 after the signing of Gleyber Torres and the resurgence of Spencer Torkelson.
TIGERS IN 2026: This is the fifth in a series of profiles on the Detroit Tigers’ organizational depth heading into the 2026 season. Previously: Catchers, first basemen, second basemen, shortstops.
After Torres’ signing, the original plan was for Keith to take over first. But Torkelson earned an Opening Day roster spot with a strong spring and never stopped hitting, upending the Tigers’ preseason plans.
In 2025, third base was Plan B for Keith and the Tigers’ infield.
In 2026, it looks like it will be Plan A.
Unless something dramatically changes in the coming weeks, it appears safe to pencil in Keith as the Tigers’ regular third baseman after a successful audition last season. The hot corner is not an easy position to learn on the fly, but Keith played third extensively in the minor leagues and looked like a natural after brushing off the rust last summer.
His bat has steadily improved in each of the last two seasons. At only 24 years old, Keith is a popular pick for a breakout year.
Of course, if injuries strike or the Tigers’ needs change, there are other third-base options, including Zach McKinstry, Javier Báez, Jace Jung and Trey Sweeney. An injury at first or second could again upend the Tigers’ plans and send Keith to a different position. The arrival of shortstop prospect Kevin McGonigle could also prompt the Tigers to reshuffle their current infield alignment.
But for now, Keith is the man at third base, even if his young career has already taught him that plans can change fast.
THIRD BASEMEN IN THE SYSTEM
On the 40-man roster: Colt Keith, Jace Jung, Zach McKinstry, Trey Sweeney, Javier Baez, Matt Vierling, Hao-Yu Lee, Trei Cruz.
Possible assignments:
Detroit: Keith, McKinstry, Baez, Vierling.
Triple-A Toledo: Jung, Lee, Sweeney, Max Anderson, Gage Workman, Cruz.
Double-A Erie: Izaac Pacheco, John Peck, Peyton Graham.
Class A (advanced) West Michigan: Abel Bastidas, Samuel Gil, Cristian Santana, Junior Tilien.
Class A Lakeland: Carson Rucker, Javier Osorio, Maikal Orozco.
Most starts at third base over the last 10 years
2016: Nick Castellanos
2017: Nick Castellanos
2018: Jeimer Candelario
2019: Dawel Lugo
2020: Isaac Paredes
2021: Jeimer Candelario
2022: Jeimer Candelario
2023: Nick Maton
2024: Gio Urshela
2025: Zach McKinstry