Detroit Jock City
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Josh Harrison not working out well with the Detroit Tigers

By Bob Heyrman

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 13: Josh Harrison #1 of the Detroit Tigers reacts to striking out against the Minnesota Twins to end the game on April 13, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Tigers 4-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 13: Josh Harrison #1 of the Detroit Tigers reacts to striking out against the Minnesota Twins to end the game on April 13, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Tigers 4-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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When the Detroit Tigers signed Josh Harrison this past winter, it made perfect sense.  The organization had a void to fill unless they decided to play Goodrum at second base on a daily basis.

The Detroit Tigers assembled the former double-play combination of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The team decided to sign Josh Harrison & Jordy Mercer to play up the middle while the younger prospects marinate in the minor leagues.

The problem is Josh Harrison appears to have forgotten how to hit a baseball.  I mean, the Tigers didn’t invest much in Harrison, they only signed him to a one-year deal worth a mere 2-million dollars.  Low risk, low reward type of agreement with a veteran player to be a placemat for the 2019 season.  Going into last night’s game against the Marlins, through 29 games he’s hitting .167 with 1 homer & 8 RBI’s, or not good.

Niko Goodrum could have handled the everyday duties at second base for the Detroit Tigers, but he’s much more valuable working in his super-utility role.  He can play everywhere on the diamond, while he won’t hit for the best average he provides a bit of pop in his bat.

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The Detroit Tigers have a few prospects that will compete to be the everyday second baseman of the future but not this year unless Lugo starts to hit and Harrison continues to struggle.  Dawel Lugo is currently getting a look in the majors while Jemier Candelario spends some time in Triple-A trying to find his swing.  Lugo can play second, but he isn’t projecting as an everyday player at this point in his career, but things can change quickly.

When Gordon Beckham made the opening day roster out of spring training; I took that as a shock.  The Detroit Tigers are a rebuilding club with what I felt much better viable option including Brandon Dixon who was raking during the spring.  Dixon has since found his way back to the majors; he’s one of the better hitting players this team has to offer.

Kody Clemens, the son of Roger, is, in my opinion, the everyday second baseman in waiting.  I don’t expect to see him this year because he’s got a long way to go before he makes it to the show.  The Houston Astros originally drafted Clemens in the 35th round of the 2015 MLB Amature Draft.  He decided to remain in college, in turn, allowing the Detroit Tigers to redraft him in the third round of the 2018 Amature Draft.  He’s only hitting .229 at Single-A Lakeland this season.

Ronny Rodriguez is having a very respectable year to date with the Detroit Tigers.  He is another versatile player that can play all over the diamond.  With Harrison playing so poorly, Ronny will be a candidate to play exclusively at either second next season.

Next. Downfall of Miguel Cabrera. dark

He’s under team control until 2025.  His .271 batting average isn’t the best but if the free-swinging Rodriguez can find a way to stay in the zone he could potentially hit .280 with 20 home runs.  Before last nights outing, he recorded 6 home runs, 17 RBI’s.  Out of his 26 hits, 18 of them are extra-base knocks.

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