detroit tigers

Approximately 90 minutes game Friday, Tigers manager Jim Leyland a rave review, rookie outfielder Andy Dirks.In his first at-bat of the day, Dirks lined a hit to left centerfield. Flew into the second double.Leyland spoke so highly of Dirks, that one might forget that there are at least two reasons can not be the club's Opening Day:

More than three weeks remain in spring training.

Leyland and praised the exhibition-season games where Dirks' competitors is a part-time outfield spot - Clet Thomas Brennan Boesch and Casper Wells. (The Tigers had two rooms.)

"Both played well," Leyland said. "It's a good situation. This is a very nice situation."

Here is why Leyland said he was "very impressed - very impressed" in Dirks, 25, who has never played in the majors, but it was the Tigers 'minor league' player of the year last season:

"It looks like a real solid baseball player to me. He is one of those guys that the woman for you. I like him very much.