Detroit Tigers: Importance of a Utility Player
The positional versatility that Andrew Romine provides makes him an important player for the Detroit Tigers.
He will not have his own bobblehead night. He is not the guy you want at the plate with the game on the line. His jersey is not likely to be worn on the backs of young, aspiring ballplayers. But, in a way, Andrew Romine is one of the most important players on the Detroit Tigers roster.
It is not because of his slash line of .238/.314/.317, or the one home run and 13 RBI he is responsible for this season.
It is the versatility that Romine possesses that is completely unmatched and even unheard of at the professional level. He is listed on the Tigers depth chart as an option for five different positions: center field, third base, shortstop, second base, and first base
When Nick Castellanos is pulled as a late-inning defensive replacement, it’s Romine who is called on to lock down the hot corner. If Miguel Cabrera is due for a day off, it’s likely that Romine fills the big boy’s shoes. He often serves as a late-inning pinch runner too, as a slow runner is swapped out for the fleetness of the Tigers’ utility man.
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With Ian Kinsler now out for a few days due to finger bruising, Romine is one who could fill in until he is ready to return.
And if the Tigers need a position player to take the mound in the midst of an ugly loss?
Andrew Romine has that covered, too.
He did just that in a June 16 contest against the Kansas City Royals as the Tigers were getting crushed, 15-5. Romine came in with one out, and finished the frame by inducing two ground balls and allowing one run.
In his seven-year career, Romine has played eight of the nine positions. (everywhere but catcher). While the Tigers have slotted him into the same eight different positions since 2014, he has primarily served as a shortstop.
He embraces his role and that just might be the best part of it all. The at-bats and playing time may not be ideal, but Romine’s unselfish, blue-collared mentality allows manager Brad Ausmus to throw him into any situation.
“Everybody wants to make it here and to be able to play at different positions — that’s something else,” Romine said in an interview with The Detroit News’ Chris McCosky. “I do take a lot of pride in that, in the ability to be thrown out there and be able to do the job.”
Several years ago, it was former Tigers manager Jim Leyland who had his own utility man in Don Kelly. Now, Ausmus has a similar secret weapon on the bench with Andrew Romine.
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Players like Romine really round out major league teams. As the Tigers push for the playoffs, Ausmus has the ability to use Romine in nearly any situation the game may present.