Detroit Tigers: Solving the Second Base Problem

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DETROIT, MI – JUNE 4: Second baseman Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers throws out Aaron Hicks of the New York Yankees at first base during the eighth inning of game one of a doubleheader at Comerica Park on June 4, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Tigers finally chose to cut bait on Opening Day second baseman Dixon Machado, designating him for assignment. So now what?

The Detroit Tigers are rebuilding. However, a stacked farm system allows fans to envision a future with many of the team’s current prospects reaching the big leagues. Jeimer Candelario and Isaac Paredes are hopefully going to lock down the left side of the infield for years to come. Christin Stewart, Daz Cameron, Parker Meadows, Mike Gerber and JaCoby Jones should sort itself out as a viable big league outfield. Jake Rogers and Sam McMillan are both highly regarded catching prospects.

The pitching staff will be some lethal combination of Michael Fulmer, Casey Mize, Beau Burrows, Franklin Perez, Alex Faedo, Matt Manning, Kyle Funkhouser, etc. While pitching prospects are volatile (to say the least) the Tigers have collected enough arms that they should be able to turn in a pretty solid starting rotation in a few years.

What about the Keystone?

However, one of the few positions that seems to be devoid of much talent in the minor leagues is second base. And now that the Tigers have designated opening day starter Dixon Machado for assignment, the Tigers are in a bit of a conundrum. They don’t have many options for second base in the short-term, and their long-term outlook is shaky at best.

There are a few options of course. Niko Goodrum is expected to take over in the interim, and while he doesn’t profile as a big league regular there’s always a chance he develops into something more. Additionally, they used a high draft pick on a second baseman this draft, and he could certainly be playing alongside Paredes in a few years.

Lastly, the Tigers could of course trade for a second base prospect, making that a priority in any potential deadline deals. With Leonys Martin, Matthew Boyd, Francisco Liriano, Mike Fiers, Shane Greene and possibly Fulmer being shopped at the deadline, the Tigers have a great opportunity to add to their farm system.

Here is a more in-depth look at the Detroit Tigers future at the second base spot.

These players have all played some second base this season, and each are young enough to potentially develop into the second baseman of the future.

Niko Goodrum

Goodrum is poised to take over as the starting second baseman for the rest of the season. Voted as the midseason rookie of the year, Goodrum has appeared at 22 games at first base, 24 at second base, nine at third, five at shortstop, and 11 in the outfield. He has slashed .242/.318/.444 with seven home runs, six stolen bases and 28 runs scored. His seven home runs is fifth on the team and his 9.4% walk-rate is third – behind Miguel Cabrera and Candelario.

The 26-year-old Goodrum was a second-round pick by the Twins back in 2010, so he does have some prospect pedigree. Goodrum will get a chance to be the everyday second baseman for the time being. If he can display 15-15 potential and maintains a walk-rate in the 10% range, his chances of becoming a viable big league regular will skyrocket. I suspect he will settle into a career as an above-average hitting utility infielder, but serving as the starting second baseman affords him the opportunity to be more than that, an opportunity he has certainly earned with his play this season.

Dixon Machado

Dixon Machado may have been designated for assignment, but more than likely he will be back with the organization in a week. Unless a team claims or trades for the 26-year-old, he will be outrighted to Triple-A Toledo and will take over the starting job that was vacated when Ronny Rodriguez was recalled. Machado seems unlikely to get claimed, thanks to his abysmal .206/.263/.290 slash line on the year.

The Tigers are likely moving on from Machado, but he could always force his way back into the picture. His glove-work was very solid this season, with a 2.5 UZR on the year. I’d expect Machado to hang around at Triple-A for a while, but wouldn’t be surprised to see him back on the Tigers later in the year. He has fallen down the pecking order for the starting 2B job, but I could see him getting it back if a few things fall his way.

Ronny Rodriguez

Rodriguez is the only other player currently with the organization who has played second base this season. Like Goodrum and Machado, Rodriguez is a 26-year-old infielder with experience at multiple positions. Unfortunately, he has struggled with both the bat and the glove at the big league level. An All-Star this season for the Toledo Mud Hens, Rodriguez has gone 2-for-24 (.083) with one walk and eight strikeouts for the Tigers.

Rodriguez is slashing a ridiculous .338/.365/.558 with Triple-A, including nine home runs and 10 stolen bases in just 63 games. That alone makes him worth consideration for the Tigers. He’s struggled mightily in his first taste of the big leagues, but 24 at-bats is virtually nothing. With how he’s hit the ball at Triple-A, he deserves more opportunities to prove himself at the big league level. He’s behind Goodrum on the depth chart at the moment, but either of them could take the second base job and run with it this season. If they don’t, Machado could get another chance.

Or, they could turn to guys deeper down in their farm system.

There are a handful of second base options further down on the farm for the Tigers. Here is a look at the potential future two-baggers, and when they could make their big league debuts.

Dawel Lugo

Lugo is definitely the closest to the big leagues, having been called up for one day earlier in the season. Although he didn’t play, it’s clear the Tigers view the 23-year-old as nearly big league ready. Lugo has spent the entire season at Triple-A Toledo, hitting .274./284/.369 with two home runs and six RBI.

Lugo has looked somewhat overmatched at Triple-A, with just a 1.5% walk rate and only a 79 wRC+. Still, it seems quite likely that he will make an appearance with the Tigers at some point this season. At just 23 years old, the Tigers don’t need to rush him into a big league role. But as one of the big pieces in the J.D. Martinez trade, the Tigers are no doubt hoping he can hold down the second base job for a few years. At least until our next subject is ready.

Kody Clemens

Clemens was selected in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft. The former Longhorns second baseman, and son of Roger Clemens, was slotted into the lineup at Single-A West Michigan. He has already hit two home runs in just five games.

The Tigers are hoping the 22-year-old is their long-term answer at second base. A middle infield with Paredes and Clemens could be really fun to watch. Clemens hits from the left side and displayed excellent power in college. The challenge will be sticking at second base defensively. If he is able to do so, he could be the second baseman on Detroit’s next playoff team.

Others

The Tigers do have a few other middle infield prospects who could someday roam the second base spot in the Motor City. Some of them are not currently playing second base, but could slide over there eventually. A few names to keep eyes on include Sergio Alcantara, Jose King, Kody Eaves and Alvaro Gonzalez.

CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 27: Tyler Wade #39 of the New York Yankees bats against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 27, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Yankees 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Tigers have a ton of tradable assets that they will likely move before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Multiple teams have emerged as suitors, including the Dodgers, Yankees, Angels, Mariners and Red Sox.

Here are a few high-profile middle infield prospects, and what the Tigers might have to deal in order to acquire them:

Gavin Lux, 2B/SS, Dodgers

Gavin Lux is a 20-year-old middle infield prospect who has really broke through with the bat this season in High-A. He is currently slashing .315/.394/.519 with nine home runs and seven stolen bases in 66 games. Lux has long showed advanced plate discipline, with an 11.4% walk rate and an 18.2% strikeout rate. Considering he’s about two and a half years younger than the average player at his level, that’s pretty good.

The Dodgers are strongly pursuing Michael Fulmer. Fulmer’s trade value may not match what the Tigers are asking, which could make a deal tough. Lux wouldn’t be a headliner in a Fulmer trade, but would be an excellent secondary piece for the Tigers to acquire. He has the tools to steal 20 bases per season, and his defense has received good marks at second.

Drew Jackson and Errol Robinson are two decent infield prospects in the Dodgers system as well, although both are underperforming this season.

Tyler Wade, 2B, New York Yankees

Wade is a 23-year-old second base prospect who made his big league debut last season and has split the 2018 season between the Yankees and Triple-A Scranton. He’s slashed .129/.198/.194 in 43 big league games, but has a much more palatable .293/.360/.493 line at Triple-A. Plus, in 149 games at that level he has hit nine home runs and stole 35 bases.

Wade has struggled defensively at second in the big leagues, but most scouts have him as a 50-grade fielder with a 55 arm, a nice bonus for a second baseman.

The Yankees could show interest in either Boyd or Liriano, as well as Shane Greene if they feel like upgrading their already stellar bullpen. Wade would be a nice headliner in a trade for any of those guys. Boyd would likely command more, as he is under team control through 2023. But for Liriano or Greene, getting Wade and another prospect or two would be a nice package. With Gleyber Torres, Didi Gregorius and Miguel Andujar all locked in for the Yankees, they can afford to part with Wade. This could be a trade that makes sense for both sides.

The Yankees have one other middle infield prospect, Thairo Estrada, although he is struggling tremendously this season. Still, the 22-year-old could be a gamble the Tigers take a chance on if the Yankees want to move him.

Bryson Brigman, 2B/SS, Seattle Mariners

We discussed a Matthew Boyd to Seattle trade scenario that Sodo Mojo suggested, and here is what we had to say about Bryson Brigman, with updated stats.

Originally drafted in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Brigman struggled with the stick his first few pro seasons. He was beginning to look like a glove-first, light-hitting utility infielder who can handle shortstop (a la Dixon Machado). That led to him being ranked as the No. 26 prospect in a weak Seattle farm system.

However, 2018 has been a different story. Brigman is slashing .317/.389/.410 at High-A, with 12 stolen bases. His .374 BABIP is high, but he also sports a very solid 9.4% walk rate and a low 14.2% strikeout rate. Brigman is starting to look like a big league regular, and the Tigers could certainly consider him as their second baseman of the future.

In conclusion, the Mariners are interested in Matthew Boyd, and Brigman would be a really nice piece to get from them.

Next: Tigers Midseason Awards

Gun to my head, I’m saying that Goodrum and Dawel Lugo are the temporary fill-ins at second base until Kody Clemens is ready to claim the job full-time. However, with plenty of tradable assets, the Detroit Tigers could certainly comb through other team’s farm systems and find their 2B of the future that way.

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