Two years ago, Ronny Rodriguez was one of several unheralded minor league signings by Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila. Rodriguez had posted solid numbers with Cleveland’s Triple-A affiliate in 2017, but was quickly overshadowed by fellow minor league signee Niko Goodrum, who produced 16 home runs and 12 steals in his first extended look of major league action with the Tigers in 2018.
Goodrum’s bat has gone quiet after a hot start in 2019, but he is still in the Tigers’ immediate and short-term future plans. At 27, he could still be part of the next Detroit contender — especially if he helps prop up a lineup that is currently wallowing near the bottom of most statistical categories.