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Mets Sign Former Detroit Tigers Shortstop on Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eric W. Bolin | Last updated Apr 2, 2025 7:16 PM ET

Once a second-round draft pick, Niko Goodrum has found his professional career a long, winding road.

The Georgia native was taken in the second round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins and with that high-round selection, expectations were fairly high for the Fayette County High School product.

Goodrum needed several seasons of minor-league experience before he cracked a Major League roster and made his debut with the Twins in 2017. He had just a cup of coffee with the Twins that season, playing in only 11 games, but his Triple-A track record earned him a job with the Detroit Tigers in 2018, starting at shortstop.

Goodrum had a promising first year at the plate with the Tigers, slapping 18 home runs and slugging .432. Each of his next two seasons were struggles, though, and by 2021 he found himself on the outs. Ever since, Goodrum has spent most of his team back in the minors, trying to recapture the stuff that made him an MLB regular.

Now, he might get another shot.

Goodrum, who broke spring training with the San Diego Padres, didn't crack the roster at the start of the Major League season, so the New York Mets signed Goodrum to a minor-league deal on Wednesday. He will begin a potential return to the Bigs at Triple-A Syracuse.

At the Triple-A level in 2024, Goodrum proved he could still hit, slashing .284/.375/.460. His numbers with the Rays and Angels didn't quite correspond, as he slashed .103/.188/.103.

Position versatility made him an attractive signing candidate. At 32 years old, he's far removed from prospect status, but since 2018, Goodrum has played every position defensively except catcher. In 13 games split between the Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays last season, Goodrum played all four infield spots and in left field.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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