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Detroit Tigers: Who will be the Opening Day Second Baseman?

By Rob Low

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 18: Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers gets the game winning single in the twelfth inning and celebrate as he rounds the bases during the game against the Kansas City Royals on September 18, 2015 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Royals 5-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 18: Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers gets the game winning single in the twelfth inning and celebrate as he rounds the bases during the game against the Kansas City Royals on September 18, 2015 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Royals 5-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 30: Alexi Amarista #2 of the Colorado Rockies takes a swing during game two of a doubleheader baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Nationals won 3-1. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 30: Alexi Amarista #2 of the Colorado Rockies takes a swing during game two of a doubleheader baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Nationals won 3-1. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

With the best of their infield prospects in the lower minor leagues, Detroit was looking for infield depth this offseason. To address that, they brought in a few players as non-roster invitees to spring camp.

Alexi Amarista has played more than 700 games in the majors, but is not much of a hitter (.231/.275/.323 career slash line). He also struggled mightily defensively as a utility guy with Colorado last year.

Pete Kozma played just 39 games last year with the Rangers and Yankees, going 5-for-45 at the plate.

Former second round pick Niko Goodrum hit 13 homers at Triple-A Rochester and was a September call-up for the Twins. Upon his arrival however, he went 1-for-17 and was let go by Minnesota in November.

Ronny Rodriguez may have the best offensive upside of this quartet. In seven seasons with Cleveland, Rodriguez launched double-digit homers five times and owned a .262 batting average. However, his walk rate was less then 5%, he struck out four and a half times for every walk, and has not yet cracked the majors.

None of these guys are likely to be in contention for anything other than a utility spot.

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