RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~260-270
CURRENT ADP: ~284 overall
ANALYSIS: Niko Goodrum is on pace to start the year as Detroit’s everyday shortstop, but has insane versatility that allows him to fill in wherever needed. Goodrum delivered a 12 home run/12 stolen base season in just 112 games last year, with 15/15 available on the cheap in 2020. If you’re taking a speed guy in the final stages in the draft, chances are your expectations are nonexistent in the power department.
I will note he's one of those that traded contact for an increase in power. He upped his average exit velocity from 87.7 MPH to 89.3 MPH while increasing his launch angle from 10.8 degrees to 13.2, but his strikeout rate rose from 27% to 29.2% as his zone-contact rate dropped from 83% to 80.6%.
All-in-all, Goodrum gives you both playing time and double-digit pop with the modest wheels. Given Detroit’s lack of infield prospects that could push Goodrum for playing time -- go away, Willi Castro -- it’s not shocking that many projection systems are calling for 600-plus PAs. I can see Travis Demeritte edging into the outfield, but not the middle infield. With 84th-percentile split times in the 90-foot window and strong success in picking his spots (24-for-31 in the last two years), the green light should be Goodrum's and yours.
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