One to Watch: Akil Baddoo

If you’re not paying attention to Detroit Tigers newest slugger right now, you need to be because his career is getting off to a legendary start.

22-year-old outfielder, Akil Baddoo, was originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins straight out of high school in 2016. After spending two seasons in their rookie league, he had a successful outing with the Cedar Rapids Kernels, before moving up for a stint with the Fort Myers Miracle in 2019. His second season, however, was cut short due to requiring Tommy Johns surgery after injuring his left elbow.

During the 2020 Rule 5 Draft, Baddoo was acquired from Minnesota by the Detroit Tigers at the number three pick. After an impressive Spring Training - hitting for a .325 average and blasting 5 homeruns - he made the opening day roster and has proceeded to have one of the best rookies starts in MLB history.

Jumping up to the big leagues isn’t easy but Baddoo sure made it look easy when he stepped up to the plate on April 4^{th -} in his MLB debut against Cleveland - and sent the ball out of the park on the first pitch he saw! This made him only the 31^st player in history to go deep on his first pitch and the first since Cubs catcher Willson Contreras in 2016.

Things were looking relatively bleak for Detroit the following afternoon, however as the Twins led them 15 – 2 at the bottom of the ninth in the second game of the series. That didn’t deter Baddoo though as he took his final at bat of the game with only one out remaining… luckily the bases were also loaded and Baddoo sent the ball flying – keeping the Tigers rally going and achieving his first Grand Slam in only his second game.

This story can’t possibly get any cooler, can it?

You bet it can! Because this rookie shows no signs of slowing down. With yesterday’s game tied up 3 – 3, Baddoo entered the batter’s box at the bottom of the 10^th to face Twins reliefer Hansel Robles. With a man on second and a man on third, he went for 2 balls and a strike before making a game winning single down the right field line – achieving his first walk-off win.

So, for a quick recap in only his first 3 MLB games Akil Baddoo has:

-       -  Batted a HR off the very first pitch he saw

-       -  Hit a Grand Slam

-        - Made a game winning walk-off single 

It’s a script even Hollywood couldn’t write, and a truly legendary start to what’s sure to be an incredible career. Welcome to The Show Akil!