DETROIT -- Louis Coleman has made 213 Major League appearances since his debut for the Royals in 2011, but like many older middle relievers, he was having trouble finding a chance to compete in a big league camp as Spring Training approached.
His college coach at LSU, Paul Mainieri, called his former assistant coach from his days at St. Thomas University. Al Avila didn't have any spots to offer in Tigers camp, but they kept in touch. A couple weeks later, Coleman was in Lakeland, signing a Minor League deal without a big league invite.
"By the time I had signed, I was looking for anything," Coleman admitted.