Detroit Tigers: Niko Goodrum is ending the virtual rebuild
By Tyler Kotila
Competing as the Detroit Tigers representative in the MLB The Show Players League, Niko Goodrum, is singlehandedly completing the virtual rebuild and winning.
With no real baseball being played, the league has come up with an MLB The Show Players League, where the Detroit Tigers representative is shortstop Niko Goodrum. After the first set of games, Goodrum was atop the division with a 3-1 record and the highest winning percentage in the American League (AL) Central.
Going into Wednesday’s contests, Goodrum had the divisional lead, which is something the Tigers would not be experiencing in 2020 with the rebuild killing them. Goodrum would go on to be 1-2 on the day, bringing his record to 4-3, tying him with Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito.
Crazy enough, the two are tied for first place, meaning the virtual Tigers are tied for first place in the division in the MLB The Show Players League. Yes, it is a virtual game being played amongst big leaguers who are participating, but it still feels nice to hear that the Tigers are anywhere near first place.
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The savior of the virtual rebuild is giving Tigers fans something to watch, bringing some entertainment to fans on Twitch.
Goodrum can hopefully keep up this pace, and keep the Tigers around the top of the division and hopefully make the virtual playoffs.
Though the entire league is virtual, the players are still competing against each other, so there is still skill involved, just a different kind of skill than required on the actual ball field.
These games are being streamed on Twitch and YouTube, allowing fans to watch some of their players with commentary and interviews while they play.
The MLB The Show Players League also is doing good for the Metro Detroit community, donating $5,000 to the local Boys and Girls Club affiliate. If Goodrum continues being the savior of this virtual rebuild and ends up winning the virtual World Series, it will bring another $25,000 in for the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Detroit.
Though this is only one season and tinkering with rosters is not happening, Goodrum’s play has kept him in the first place, or tied for it, so far. Could fans see the end of the Tigers rebuild take place in virtual form?
Goodrum might be able to do it; however, this does not affect the real rebuild, which will still leave fans subject to the suffering of when baseball returns. Until then, Goodrum is carving out wins and keeping the Tigers competitive in the MLB The Show Players League, ending the virtual rebuild.
The next set of games for Goodrum, take place tonight at 9 P.M. EST, with Goodrum streaming live on Twitch. Tune in to hopefully see Goodrum continue to keep the Tigers at the top of the AL Central.