Niko’s Ascension
The Detroit Tigers made a signing last season that didn’t make waves with the fans as some signings do. Detroit signed Goodrum to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. He had a good spring and was anointed the starting second baseman to start the 2018 season. Niko had a good season and by the end of the year, had played all over the diamond for Gardenhire and the Tigers.
He played 131 games with a stat line of .245/.315/.432 with 16 home runs and 53 RBI. That’s a good rookie season by many people’s standards.
2019
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Going into the 2019 season many thought Goodrum would be the second baseman. When the Tigers signed Josh Harrison, that changed. Goodrum could now go back to being the super utility player that he was in 2018. That didn’t dampen Goodrum’s spirit’s as he went out and had another great spring training solidifying his spot on the roster.
With Harrison as the starter at second base, Niko is allowed to help Gardenhire in a variety of ways. Jacoby Jones is out right now, and Goodrum is filling in at the centerfield position. He has made a few great plays in the four starts he has had. When a guy need’s a day, Goodrum is the player that Gardenhire turns to spell the player.
Multiple tools
Goodrum’s doesn’t just have the manager’s confidence in the field but at the plate as well. In the nine starts that he has had early in the season, he has hit either fourth or fifth in the lineup. He has rewarded that confidence with six doubles and seven walks in the first ten games. If he continues to put up numbers like that, he could see himself hitting clean-up in a majority of his starts.
It is early in the season, but Goodrum looks very calm and locked in at the plate in every at-bat. He is one of the few Tigers hitters that has it going early, and his success at the plate has translated into winning plays in the field.
Detroit doesn’t have a guy that demands DH at-bats, so they are going to rotate a lot of people in and out of that spot during the season. This will allow Goodrum the ability to take a day off from the field but keep his bat in the lineup.
Niko Goodrum is the Tiger’s swiss army knife, and so far, they are using all of his abilities in their favor.
Represent
Considering how well Niko has been playing it would stand to reason that you would want to show some love. Lucky for you we’ve got you covered with a Goodrum shirt:
https://michigansportsandentertainment.com/product/captain-niko-short-sleeve-unisex-t-shirt-front-and-back-design/
Check out all the fun designs in our store!
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