Utility players are not the flashiest guys in baseball. From 2009 to 2017, the Tigers have mainly used two key utility men: Andrew Romine and Don Kelly. Tigers utility players are fan favorites, whether it be for their heart and hustle or for playing all nine positions in one game. After the team released Andrew Romine in November, many Tigers fans felt like the era of fun utility guys was over.
Rodriguez, 26, is a favorite to become the Tigers newest utility man, coming off a .291/.321/.778 season with 17 homers in 119 games for the Cleveland Indians’ Triple-A Columbus Clippers.