Infamous former Tigers utility man continues MLB odyssey with Reds waiver claim

A former Detroit Tigers utility player has landed with his second team since leaving the Motor City, as Ryan Vilade was claimed off waivers over the weekend by the Cincinnati Reds.

As it turns out, the Reds were in Detroit for a three-game series against the Tigers when they claimed Vilade off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals, who had designated him for assignment on Thursday. Vilade signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals last November and appeared in seven MLB games for St. Louis, who selected his contract from Triple-A Memphis at the end of May when outfielder Jordan Walker landed on the 10-day IL with a wrist injury.

In his seven games with the Cardinals, Vilade looked pretty much how Tigers fans would remember him. In 17 trips to the plate, the 26-year-old recorded one hit (a single) and two walks for an .077 batting average. He started three games in right field but also saw time in left and in the designated hitter spot.

Former Tigers utility man Ryan Vilade continues AL/NL Central odyssey with Reds waiver claim

Prior to his brief stint in St. Louis, Vilade's most recent MLB action had come with the Tigers in 2024. He signed a minor league deal with Detroit prior to last season and had his contract selected in May. Across two stints at the Major League level that year, Vilade slashed just .178/.208/.244 with one home run and five RBI in 17 games before being waived at the end of the season.

A second-round pick by the Colorado Rockies in the 2017 MLB Draft, Vilade has a .141/.200/.188 slash line in just 27 Major League games. His career .272/.353/.406 slash line at the Triple-A level, however, is enough to continue earning him opportunities.

Vilade, who spent a season in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization before arriving in Detroit, is now with his third National League Central organization (his second in under a month). The Reds have optioned him to Triple-A Louisville, where he will likely be stashed as minor league depth until an injury on the Major League roster presses him into action.

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