LAKELAND, FLA. >> It’s a question not only Justyn-Henry Malloy is allowed to ask.

Why, really, is there any serious chatter about his roster fate when the Tigers are aching for as much offense as they can marshal ahead of Opening Day, which is Thursday, against the Dodgers at Los Angeles? 

Malloy on Sunday at Clearwater wrapped up his Grapefruit League audition with another hard single in two at-bats against the Phillies. His numbers after 20 spring games: .333 batting average, a whopping .418 on-base percentage, with a plump .814 OPS.

Where’s the dispute? Particularly when the Tigers are hungry for righthanded hitting?

“I think I’ve done a pretty good job of just trying to make the manager (AJ Hinch) and front office make a tough decision,” Malloy said Sunday in the visitor’s clubhouse at Clearwater, after the Tigers had finished their spring-camp tune-ups with a 4-2 loss to the Phillies — in a game Malloy had to leave in the fifth inning after crashing into fellow Tigers outfielder Max Clark.

“And I think that’s a great problem to have for a ballclub — to be here with these guys, heading out to San Fran (San Francisco for a pair of pre-Opening Day duels against the Giants) is all I want to do.

“I’m hoping and praying things go my way. But, if not, then it is what it is and we ride with it.”

Never mind that plenty of players, if they didn’t crack the 26-man roster after a spring as good as Malloy’s, would want to “ride” their way to a different MLB team that might be pleased to add a guy who can swing a right-handed stick and draw a walk.

No, stomping feet isn’t Malloy’s way. With this 25-year-old outfielder/first baseman there is a kind of disciplined resolve to accept and triumph in just about any situation. And to maintain his spirit, as well as a steady team-first ethic that indeed is remarkable in an era where athletes tend to get, let’s say, self-fixated.

A couple of reminders before Malloy is asked to star in “It’s A Wonderful Life II:”

He doesn’t own a position. In fact, he is, perhaps, adequate at best as a corner outfielder and at his most recent post, first base. You have to hit — really hit — to be considered a heavy asset or a fulltime designated hitter. That’s especially true when Hinch likes one-man bands on his active roster — guys who interchangeably can play drums, keyboard, and, ideally, lead guitar.

Malloy is more the guy who can sing and maybe tap a tambourine.

No wonder, then, things figured to get all the more problematic when it was confirmed Sunday that nine-year MLB warhorse, and right-handed hitting outfielder, Manuel Margot was headed to the Tigers as soon as he passes his physical.

It makes matters even stickier for Malloy as Hinch settles ahead of Thursday’s game at L.A. on his 26-man list.

It leaves Malloy with a main objective, which he displayed in full color during spring camp.

He leaves a team believing as he steps to the plate there is an excellent chance that he’ll either hit, or walk, his way to first base or beyond.

“Yes, that’s my MO (modus operandi),” Malloy said of his trademark skill. “I want to put together fourto-five professional at-bats every night.

“I feel like this spring I’ve been able to do pretty good. I want to be able to carry on, to have that mentality.”

Malloy’s background forged a man who blends geniality with that barbedwire baseball mindset. He was born in New York City and grew up in New Jersey, the son of Henry and Jacqueline Malloy. Henry is the retired director of credit and collections for CBS, while Jacqueline worked in the bakery department for The Fresh Market, next to St. Joseph Regional High, in Montvale, New Jersey, which allowed Mom to regularly make her son’s games.

Malloy played at Vanderbilt before transferring to Georgia Tech.

He was a sixth-round draft pick by the Braves in 2021 before making his way to the Tigers by way of a 2022 trade that sent Joe Jimenez to Atlanta.

In four minor-league seasons his stats are .278/.409/.460/.869, with 52 home runs.

He had a strong 45-at-bat streak for the Tigers within his second-half arrival in 2024 and during two Tigers playoff series when he specialized in those “professional at-bats” he has made his mantra.

So, does he join the crowd this week?

It’s a question being asked by others, as well, including Jahmai Jones, and perhaps even Spencer Torkelson and Wenceel Perez.

It’s doubly tight, these roster bids, especially with Margot apparently headed the Tigers’ way.

Malloy understands numbers, and not only because he’s a Georgia Tech man.

“Just play baseball,” he said of his most pareddown mission as a new season begins.

“Have fun. Play baseball.”