LAKELAND, Fla. -- Detroit Tigers coaches have told JaCoby Jones to start taking ground balls and carrying his old infield gloves, the first sign that they are seriously considering him as a super-utility candidate, either now or in the future.
The Tigers think Jones, 25, has Gold Glove potential as an outfielder, but he's struggled to hit in the major leagues.
Making him a utility man -- at least for now -- might be one way to get him enough at-bats in the big leagues without relegating him to the bench as a reserve outfielder.
Jones said the Tigers haven't advised him of any specific plans and he only started taking grounders on Saturday.