Wait, the Tigers have a baserunning consultant? (update)

Wait, the Tigers have a baserunning consultant? (update)
BECK'S BLOG
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 3:17 pm

It was easy to overlook with Don Kelly’s return and the full slate of non-roster Spring Training invites, but thanks to those who pointed it out from the press release: The Tigers also announced the hiring of a new baserunning guru, bringing former Major League coach Jeff Cox to camp as a consultant. He’ll spend Spring Training in big-league camp and pop in on the club during homestands over the course of the regular season, according to the press release.



UPDATE: Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Wednesday afternoon that Cox will focus on individual instruction. They’re bringing him in to work with Austin Jackson, Andy Dirks and others on basestealing. Third-base coach Tom Brookens will continue to handle the team baserunning drills.

“He’s going to work with Jackson and some of the guys that have the potential to steal bases, Dirks, guys like that,” Leyland said of Cox. “Really, Jackson’s the primary guy obviously. We want him to get a little better at that. That’s always been one of [Cox's] strong suits.”

Cox spent four years as the White Sox third-base coach under manager Ozzie Guillen before he took last season off and spent time with family. He was a coach with the Pirates and Marlins in previous stops, including the 2003 World Series championship team in Florida.



It doesn’t forbode any change on the Tigers coaching staff, but it seemingly signifies an emphasis on baserunning for this club going forward. Leyland has mentioned several times over the years that he’d like the Tigers to become a better team on the basepaths, smarter and more aggressive if not actually faster. Prince Fielder’s out at the plate in Game 2 of the World Series might well be the lingering memory from the Tigers’ sweep out of the Fall Classic. Third-base coach Gene Lamont took much of the blame for it and accepted it after the game, but others suggested a better slide from Fielder would’ve gotten him around the tag.

Presumably, Cox won’t work with guys like Fielder, and he definitely won’t be working on base-to-base stuff. Still, it reflects the general emphasis. If they’re looking to turn basestealing into more of an asset for Jackson, it’s just as big.

“We just think that’s a real nice fit,” Leyland said. “That’s always been his expertise. It’s always been. We just hope he can get some of that across to some of our guys.”

01/16/2013 11:38 AM ET
Tigers Invite 17 Players to Major League Camp

The Detroit Tigers today announced the following 17 players have been invited to major league camp this spring in Lakeland, FL:

Righthanded pitchers: Trevor Bell, Shawn Hill, Michael Morrison

Lefthanded pitchers: Jose Alvarez, Kenny Faulk, Ryan Robowski

Catchers: Curt Casali, Brad Davis, James McCann

Infielders: Argenis Diaz, Eugenio Suarez

Infielders/outfielders: Nick Castellanos, Don Kelly, Kevin Russo, Matt Tuiasosopo

Outfielders: Tyler Collins, Daniel Fields

Additionally, the following staff members will be in uniform at major league camp this spring: Kevin Bradshaw, Jeff Cox, Manny Crespo, Chris Cron, Bill Dancy, Joe DePastino, Leon “Bull” Durham, Bruce Fields, Jaime Garcia, Phil Nevin, Al Nipper, Dave Owen, Gerald Perry, Brian Peterson, Gene Roof and A.J. Sager. Additionally, both Willie Horton and Al Kaline will be in uniform this spring. Corey Tremble, Matt Rankin and Chris McDonald will assist the major league training staff this spring, while Chris Walter, Steve Chase, Kyle Bergman and Fred Murphy will work with the Tigers strength and conditioning coordinator Javair Gillett.

Cox has joined the Tigers organization as a baserunning consultant for the 2013 season. He will consult on baserunning at the major league level during both Spring Training and throughout various homestands during the regular season.

The first pitchers and catchers workout in Lakeland will be on February 12, while the first full squad workout will be on February 15.