Kyle Hudson’s Tigers assignment should be judged on more than stolen bases

The Detroit Tigers have a new coach responsible for helping them make better decisions once hitters reach base. Kyle Hudson is joining A.J. Hinch’s staff, and his assignment offers a useful reminder that improving an offense involves more than changing the batting order or adding another hitter.

Detroit named Hudson its first-base and baserunning coach Friday. Chris McCosky of The Detroit News previously reported that Hudson would replace Anthony Sanders and help instruct the outfielders, giving him responsibilities that extend beyond standing near the bag and collecting protective equipment.

Hudson, 39, played baseball and football at Illinois before Baltimore selected him in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. His major league playing experience consisted of 14 games in 2011, and his coaching background includes work in Cleveland’s organization and at both corner coaching positions with Boston, according to McCosky’s report.

The useful question for Detroit is how that experience translates into better choices during games. A first-base coach can help a runner identify a pitcher’s delivery patterns, anticipate a pickoff attempt and understand the situation before a ball is put in play. Those details are difficult to isolate in a box score, but they influence whether an offense extends an inning or gives away an out.

Stolen bases will provide one visible measure of the Tigers’ approach. They should not become the only measure, because a team can run more often without becoming more effective. The score, number of outs, hitter at the plate and likelihood of success all affect whether an attempted steal is worth the risk.

There is another set of decisions after contact. Getting from first to third on a single requires reading the ball, understanding the outfielder’s position and taking an efficient route. Returning safely on a line drive requires a different read. A runner who improves those judgments can contribute without suddenly becoming faster.

That is where Hudson’s outfield responsibilities could complement his baserunning work. From the defensive side, outfielders must anticipate which runners will challenge them and deliver accurate throws. From the offensive side, runners must recognize which throws and angles are worth testing. The same play can become a teaching example for both groups.

It would be premature to attach a projected win total to a coaching hire. Hudson will work within the abilities of the roster, and the quality of the instruction will ultimately be reflected in decisions repeated over a full season.

Detroit should evaluate the change through successful advances, avoided outs and better situational awareness. If those areas improve, Hudson will have helped the offense even on nights when the Tigers do not attempt a single stolen base.