Detroit – What is the saying: If you don’t fail, you don’t learn?
Well, if that is true, Niko Goodrum learned a ton last season.
Even though his 38.6 percent strikeout rate in 179 plate appearances probably should be viewed more as a slump than a binding indictment of his offensive talent, it was enough to cost him first real chance at being the Tigers’ everyday shortstop – despite the fact that he ended up a Gold Glove finalist at the position.
“I don’t call the shots,” Goodrum said in a Zoom call Tuesday night when asked about moving back to a utility role in 2021.