Detroit Tigers: Constructing the Opening Day Lineup for 2021

Batting Seventh-2B Niko Goodrum

Goodrum rolled with playing second last year after coming off the injured list despite what it appears on the surface, reservations about it. 

“Uh, I mean,” he said Wednesday, taking a pause before giving his response. “It’s not my team. It’s their decision they want to make. I go play ball. That’s the only thing I can do.”

From an offensive standpoint, Goodrum had a down year but was a Gold Glove finalist for his play at shortstop. What he could provide from batting sixth? From a career perspective, he has put up a slash line of .177/.239/.331 but batting seventh, he has put up in 81 plate appearances.

Whether it was injuries that affect him at the plate this season, if the Tigers can get production near what he did in 2018 and 2019 as far as home runs are concerned, then that would make him much more palatable at the plate with his good defense.

His work ethic and the ability to adapt to any position the Tigers throw at him is tremendous. But as the Tigers continue the rebuild, they will expect much more production.

I hate to sound overdramatic but this is a make-or-break year for Goodrum at the plate. The Tigers are high on him so to start the season, this is a place to see him on Opening Day.