Detroit Tigers: Bench players stepping up in a big way

With the injuries now piling up for the Detroit Tigers, the team has been getting important contributions from bench players. The team is proving to have solid depth.

Recently, the Detroit Tigers have been hit with a wave of injuries. They are currently without three key position players in Miguel Cabrera, Leonys Martin and most recently Jeimer Candelario. In the absence of these players, there have been a few guys who have really stepped up for the Tigers.

Since Cabrera has been out, John Hicks has been getting the majority of the playing time at first base. No one is going to replace Cabrera, but Hicks has been doing very nice work. While Hicks is a backup catcher, he has been doing an admirable job in the field at first base, and his offense has been quite impressive.

He had an excellent season in limited time with the Tigers last year and continues to perform well in 2018. Through 20 games, Hicks is hitting a rock-solid .289/.329/.526  with four home runs and 11 RBI.

Another pleasant surprise for the Tigers has been Niko Goodrum. After spending several years in the Minnesota Twins organization, the Tigers signed Goodrum to a minor league deal this offseason. He made the team out of spring training as a super-utility man. The switch-hitting Goodrum has played six different positions for the Tigers so far this season. He is currently batting .257/.325/.514 with four homers and 10 RBI.

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Goodrum and Hicks are currently tied for second on the team lead for home runs. They trail only Candelario and Martin, who have each hit five apiece.

Outfielder JaCoby Jones also made the team as a reserve player this spring, but more opportunities eventually opened up for him. Although his bat has been a bit cooler in May than it was in April, he is still hitting a respectable .248/.298/.397 with two homers and eight RBI on the season.

He also has speed and plays good defense in the outfield. Jones has all of the makings of a fascinating player.

The Tigers have even been getting contributions from veteran journeyman Pete Kozma in the short time that he has been with the team. Though Kozma has always been known far more for his glove than his bat, to say the least, he homered in his first game with the Tigers. He is hitting .333/.333/.600 over a small sample size of 15 at-bats.

Next: Relief Roundup: Tyler Flowers powers Atlanta Braves

The reserve players of the Detroit Tigers have had big shoes to fill. However, they have been doing an excellent job in holding down the fort. Detroit’s 2018 roster is truly proving to be quite deep.