Niko Goodrum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Niko Goodrum |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Goodrum with the Detroit Tigers in 2018
|
|||
| San Diego Padres | |||
| Utility player | |||
| Born: February 28, 1992 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: September 2, 2017, for the Minnesota Twins | |||
| KBO: July 21, 2023, for the Lotte Giants | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) |
|||
| Batting average | .224 | ||
| Home runs | 42 | ||
| Runs batted in | 152 | ||
| Stolen bases | 47 | ||
| KBO statistics (through 2023 season) |
|||
| Batting average | .295 | ||
| Home runs | 0 | ||
| Runs batted in | 28 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
Cartier Niko Goodrum (born February 28, 1992) is an American professional baseball player. He is known as a utility player, meaning he can play almost any position on the field. Currently, he is part of the San Diego Padres organization.
Niko has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. These include the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays, and Los Angeles Angels. He also played in the KBO League for the Lotte Giants in South Korea. Goodrum has played every fielding position in his major league career except for pitcher and catcher. This makes him a very valuable player!
Contents
Niko Goodrum's Baseball Journey
Starting with the Twins
Niko Goodrum went to Fayette County High School in Fayetteville, Georgia. The Minnesota Twins picked him in the second round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with them and started his professional career.
He began playing in the minor leagues. In 2011, he played for the Elizabethton Twins and had a .275 batting average. He continued to play for different minor league teams, improving his skills. In 2014, he switched from playing shortstop to third base.
In 2017, the Twins called him up to the major leagues. This was his big debut!
Playing for the Detroit Tigers
After leaving the Twins, Goodrum signed with the Detroit Tigers in late 2017. He had a great spring training in 2018, hitting four home runs. Because of his strong performance, he made the Tigers' main roster for opening day.
Niko hit his first major league home run on April 5, 2018. Later that season, on May 14, he hit two home runs in one game! He also drove in five runs to help the Tigers win.
He finished the 2018 season with a .245 batting average. He also hit 16 home runs and stole 12 stolen bases. He played six different positions that year, showing off his amazing versatility. The Detroit Sports Media Association even voted him the 2018 Detroit Tigers Rookie of the Year!
In 2019, Niko had another memorable game against the Atlanta Braves. He got five hits in five tries, including a double and two home runs. This was a rare achievement for a Tigers player. He played 90 games for the Tigers in 2021, hitting 9 home runs and stealing 14 bases.
Time with Other Teams
After his time with the Tigers, Niko Goodrum signed with the Houston Astros in 2022. He played 15 games for them before moving to their minor league team.
In 2023, he signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox. He played well for their Triple-A team, hitting 8 home runs and stealing 7 bases.
Later in 2023, Niko went to South Korea to play for the Lotte Giants in the KBO League. He had a strong batting average of .295 in 50 games there.
In 2024, he joined the Tampa Bay Rays and then the Los Angeles Angels. He continued to show his versatility by playing different positions. He also had a brief time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Baltimore Orioles.
Joining the San Diego Padres
In early 2025, Niko Goodrum signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. He continues his baseball journey, ready to contribute with his skills and ability to play many positions.
Personal Life
Niko Goodrum's father, Tim, played college football for Fort Valley State University.
Niko is also known for his kindness. In 2018, during the Flint water crisis, he donated 1,440 cases of water to help the people living in Flint, Michigan.
