The Detroit Tigers are reaping the rewards of sticking with one of their young talents through early struggles. Despite the team’s strong play throughout the season, 23-year-old Colt Keith didn’t hit the ground running in 2025.
After an inconsistent rookie year, Keith’s position was shuffled during spring training. The arrival of Spencer Torkelson at first base and Gleyber Torres at second left Keith without a clear role. When Torres went down with an injury early in the season, Keith slid back to second base—but he had trouble defensively and slumped at the plate. In April, he managed just a .186/.324/.254 slash line over 24 games, building little momentum off a rookie campaign where he hit .260/.309/.380 across 148 games. While fan confidence began to waver, the Tigers stayed patient and continued to give Keith opportunities.
That patience is finally paying off. Keith has been on fire over the last couple of months, delivering in big moments—including clutch home runs in the first two games against the Tampa Bay Rays, with Tuesday’s blast in the seventh inning proving to be the game-winner. Since June 1, he’s been one of the league’s best hitters, slashing .322/.388/.556 with four home runs and 14 RBIs. His season numbers have climbed significantly, now sitting at a solid .269/.350/.450 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs—strong marks given his rough start.
Keith is under contract through 2032 on a team-friendly extension, a deal that was criticized at the time it was signed due to his lack of experience and inconsistent production. But with his recent breakout, that contract is starting to look like a major win for Tigers president Scott Harris.
Still learning the ropes with limited minor league seasoning, Keith is emerging as a key piece of Detroit’s future. His ability to play first, second, or third gives the team valuable flexibility, and wherever he lines up, he’s proving he belongs. If his upward trend continues, that extension may go down as one of the savviest moves of Harris’ tenure.
