2025 Stats
AVG
.235
HR
0
RBI
1
R
4
SB
1
Rest-of-Season Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Across five MLB seasons, McKinstry has pretty much settled in as a light-hitting utility player known primarily for his defensive abilities. The 29-year-old batted .286 across a small sample of four games as a rookie with the Dodgers back in 2020, but he's batted .231 or worse in each of his seasons since then. He's also never reached double figures in home runs, as he topped out at nine long balls two years ago with Detroit, when he had a career-best 464 at-bats. McKinstry's value from a real-life perspective comes from his versatility. He appeared at every infield position except for first base last season and also saw time in the corner outfield spots. That makes McKinstry a useful MLB bench player, but it doesn't translate to fantasy impact. Heading into 2025, McKinstry should once again be a utility option who has some flashes of offensive ability but no real consistent value in most fantasy leagues. Read Past Outlooks
Productive from leadoff spot
McKinstry went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Dodgers.
ANALYSIS
McKinstry paced Detroit's offense from the leadoff spot, collecting a third of the team's hits and runs. The 30-year-old has seen action in all three of the Tigers' games so far, with starts in the last two, and he's already seen action at second base, third base and shortstop. McKinstry doesn't figure to play much when southpaws are on the hill, but he appears to have a regular lineup spot secured against righties and can play a number of defensive positions when he's called upon.
McKinstry paced Detroit's offense from the leadoff spot, collecting a third of the team's hits and runs. The 30-year-old has seen action in all three of the Tigers' games so far, with starts in the last two, and he's already seen action at second base, third base and shortstop. McKinstry doesn't figure to play much when southpaws are on the hill, but he appears to have a regular lineup spot secured against righties and can play a number of defensive positions when he's called upon.
Batting Stats
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2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Minor League Game Log
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Batting Order Slot Breakdown
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Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2023
+12%
OPS vs RHP
2025
+185%
OPS vs LHP
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2023vs Left | .576 | 83 | 0 | 7 | .200 | ||||
| Since 2023vs Right | .646 | 780 | 13 | 52 | .227 | ||||
| 2025vs Left | 1.500 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .333 | ||||
| 2025vs Right | .527 | 16 | 0 | 1 | .214 | ||||
| 2024vs Left | .379 | 33 | 0 | 4 | .133 | ||||
| 2024vs Right | .640 | 292 | 4 | 19 | .225 | ||||
| 2023vs Left | .653 | 46 | 0 | 3 | .243 | ||||
| 2023vs Right | .653 | 472 | 9 | 32 | .230 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2023
+18%
OPS at Home
2025
-100%
OPS on Road
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2023Home | .694 | 419 | 7 | 33 | .242 | ||||
| Since 2023Away | .589 | 444 | 6 | 26 | .209 | ||||
| 2025Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2025Away | .703 | 20 | 0 | 1 | .235 | ||||
| 2024Home | .647 | 156 | 1 | 9 | .234 | ||||
| 2024Away | .582 | 169 | 3 | 14 | .197 | ||||
| 2023Home | .722 | 263 | 6 | 24 | .247 | ||||
| 2023Away | .585 | 255 | 3 | 11 | .215 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
Stat Review
How does Zach McKinstry compare to other hitters?
This section compares his stats with all batting seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 400 plate appearances)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
BB/K
0.75BB Rate
18.8%K Rate
25.0%BABIP
.333ISO
.154AVG
.231OBP
.375SLG
.385OPS
.760wOBA
.319Exit Velocity
89.0 mphHard Hit Rate
33.3%Barrels/PA
0.0%Expected BA
.188Expected SLG
.244Sprint Speed
24.8 ft/secGround Ball %
44.4%Line Drive %
22.2%Fly Ball %
33.3%Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Batting Stats
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Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
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Batted Ball Stats
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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2021
2020
McKinstry saw his most consistent MLB playing time yet in 2023, though he remained a limited offensive player. The 28-year-old batted just .231 with a .653 OPS across 148 games. He didn't provide much in the way of counting stats either with only nine home runs, 35 RBI and 60 runs scored, though at least he managed 16 stolen bases in 22 attempts. McKinstry's best attribute remained his versatility, as he appeared at every defensive position except for catcher and first base in his first season with the Tigers. At this point in his career, McKinstry profiles as a prototypical utility player who can provide solid defense across the diamond but doesn't offer much at the plate. That makes him a more valuable real-life player than fantasy asset, so managers don't need to have McKinstry on the radar outside of deeper formats. He can at least be a bargain bin dart throw for DFS players.
More Fantasy News
Taking seat against lefty
McKinstry isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers.
ANALYSIS
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Set for strong-side platoon at 3B
McKinstry is expected to open the season in the long side of a platoon at third base with Andy Ibanez, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
ANALYSIS
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Platoon possibility at short?
McKinstry is a candidate to serve in a platoon along with Javier Baez at shortstop to begin the regular season, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Agrees to deal with Detroit
The Tigers and McKinstry avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.65 million contract Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
ANALYSIS
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Tallies three hits in loss
McKinstry went 3-for-4 with a double in Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Angels.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Clearer path to roster spot
Evan Woodbery of MLive.com expected McKinstry to make Detroit's Opening Day roster in the wake of Matt Vierling's strained rotator cuff muscle.
ANALYSIS
McKinstry and the Tigers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.65 million contract in November, but the utility player wasn't a sure thing to make the season-opening roster. That may have changed with Vierling set to begin the year on the IL, and Parker Meadows also dealing with a bicep issue. The 29-year-old McKinstry saw action in 118 regular-season games last year and had a .614 OPS with four homers and 16 steals.
McKinstry and the Tigers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.65 million contract in November, but the utility player wasn't a sure thing to make the season-opening roster. That may have changed with Vierling set to begin the year on the IL, and Parker Meadows also dealing with a bicep issue. The 29-year-old McKinstry saw action in 118 regular-season games last year and had a .614 OPS with four homers and 16 steals.