The Detroit Tigers have recalled the contract of outfielder Daniel Fields from the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens because outfielder Rajai Davis will be away from the team for a few days on paternity leave.
Fields, 24, was taken in the sixth round (180 overall) in the 2009 MLB Draft. Fields is a Detroit-born player and attended University of Detroit Jesuit during his high school years.
He dominated during his time there, winning All-Region 1st Team award and the 2009 Rawlings 2nd Team All-American award.
Fields is also the son of former Tigers player and hitting coach Bruce Fields.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound center fielder played in 48 games during his 2015 Minor-League season. Fields slashed .271/.394/.486 with three home runs and 21 RBI. He added an .879 OPS and nine stolen bases.
Fields hit .219 with a .616 OPS in 75 games during 2014, which happened to be his first season in Triple-A. However, the youngster has fought back and worked to get better for the next season. The mechanics have obviously improved since the 2014 season.
"He pulled the ball too much," Toledo manager Larry Parrish said. "This year, he's staying through the ball much better, using left-center a whole lot. He's just been a different hitter than he was last year. Part of it is maturing a little bit."
The call up is temporary, but it gives Fields a huge chance to make a name for himself, which could arouse interest in the Tigers' making a trade to make room for him on the permanent roster or a trade of himself to a team on which he would be able to participate at the Major League level everyday.
Fields dominated in Detroit's Spring Training, going 10 for 29 with three home runs in 14 games played.