Detroit Tigers announce four minor league signings

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DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 4: Al Avila laughs during a news conference at Comerica Park after he was promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager on August 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. Avila replaces Dave Dombrowski who was the Tigers’ general manager since 2002. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers fans could see a number of new faces next season. According to a tweet from the team’s official Twitter account, the Tigers have made a handful of minor league signings.

Detroit Tigers executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager Al Avila added some more depth on Saturday as the team officially announced a quartet of minor league signings.

The Tigers announced the moves in a tweet on the team’s official Twitter account.

Detroit’s tweet also included an announcement stating that the team and reliever Blaine Hardy have avoided arbitration.

The team tweeted the following on Saturday morning:

“We have agreed to terms on a 1-year contract with LHP Blaine Hardy, thus avoiding arbitration, and have signed RHPs Kevin Comer and Mark Montgomery, infielder Niko Goodrum & OF/1B Chad Huffman to Minor League contracts for 2018 with invites to Major League Spring Training.”

Chad Huffman

Of the group, Huffman comes with the most Major League experience.

A former second-round pick of the San Diego Padres in the 2006 draft, Huffman appeared in nine games for the New York Yankees in 2010 and again in 12 contests for the St. Louis Cardinals this past season.

He went three-for-18 with two RBI, two walks, a runs scored, five strikeouts and a .452 OPS with the Yankees.

Huffman found much more success in his brief stint in a St. Louis uniform, notching a .762 OPS, four hits, three runs scored and a walk against six strikeouts in 15 plate appearances.

ST. LOUIS, MO – JUNE 13: Chad Huffman #65 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a triple during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium on June 13, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images) /

More on Huffman

In between his time with the Yankees and Cardinals, the 32-year-old had stints in the Cleveland and Washington organizations.

What’s more, he’s also spent time in the Detroit Tigers minor league system.

Signed as a free agent in December of 2015, Huffman was quite productive with Triple-A Toledo, registering an .892 OPS, a .286 batting average, a .387 on-base percentage, a .505 slugging percentage and a 158 wRC+ in 511 plate appearances.

He also chipped in with 70 RBI, 78 runs scored, 33 doubles, 17 home runs, 11 stolen bases and five triples.

Moving forward, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Huffman see time at first base as an alternative to Miguel Cabrera if the minor league veteran makes the Major League roster.

Niko Goodrum

Next up in terms of big league experience is Niko Goodrum, who made his Major League debut with the Twins late last season.

While he only registered 18 plate appearances for the American League Central club, he proved to be much more productive at Triple-A.

He turned in a 102 wRC+, 71 runs scored, 66 RBI, 13 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 499 plate appearances for the Twins’ top minor league affiliate.

With past experience in the Majors and minors at all positions not called pitcher or catcher, Goodrum is an intriguing name to watch for a bench role.

DETROIT, MI – JUNE 28: A Detroit Tigers hat, glasses and glove sit on the dugout stairs during a MLB game against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park on June 28, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers win on a walk off home run 5-4. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Kevin Comer and Mark Montgomery

Rounding out the list are a pair of relievers in Comer and Montgomery.

Kevin Comer was a first-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011, but made his way to the Houston Astros organization in the blockbuster that saw nine other players change teams.

Among the other players involved in that deal were J.A. Happ, Francisco Cordero, Joe Musgrove, Ben Francisco and Brandon Lyon.

Comer was also dealt along with former Detroit Tigers outfielder Anthony Gose and Jonathan Villar from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Astros in the Roy Oswalt deal.

A former starting pitcher, Comer made the switch to the bullpen full time last season and turned in some encouraging results.

In 63.2 frames for Houston’s Triple-A affiliate, the 25-year-old struck out 10.46 batters per nine innings to go along with a 72.8% strand rate, a 3.68 ERA, a 3.78 FIP and a 4.20 xFIP.

Montgomery

Another right-handed pitcher, Montgomery was actually Huffman’s teammate with St. Louis’ Triple-A team in 2017.

The reliever was also effective in recording outs in his 66.2 frames.

Over that span, the 27-year-old struck out 9.86 batters per nine innings while surrendering just 2.03 walks and 0.54 home runs per nine frames.

He registered a 2.43 ERA, a 3.30 FIP and a 4.18 FIP.

Next: Why the Tigers should do everything they can to sign Kevin Maitan

Prior to his 2017 season with St. Louis’ Triple-A squad in Memphis, Montgomery had spent his entire minor league career in the New York Yankees’ minor league system.

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