The Detroit Tigers signed utility player Ryan Vilade, a 24-year-old former prospect who had a .370 on-base percentage at the Triple-A level last season, to a minor-league contract.

He is an under-the-radar candidate to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, and at the very least, he will provide depth in Triple-A Toledo in a utility role.

The contract, which was signed before Thanksgiving, includes a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

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Vilade, a right-handed hitter, played 122 games for Triple-A Indianapolis with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2023 season. He hit .271 with 23 doubles, four triples, six home runs, 64 walks (12.5% walk rate) and 127 strikeouts (24.9% strikeout rate).

He posted a .752 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, to go with an above-average .370 OBP. His exit velocities are average, but he hits a lot of ground balls (not enough fly balls) and hasn't gotten the most out of his pull-side power potential.

He has just 41 home runs in 2,832 plate appearances since graduating high school.

Vilade has experience in the infield and outfield. He played shortstop at the beginning of his professional career, but for the past three seasons, he has primarily played third base and all three outfield positions.

In 2023, Vilade played center field (506⅔ innings), left field (149⅓ innings), right field (145 innings), third base (127⅔ innings) and first base (32 innings).

The Colorado Rockies selected Vilade in the second round (No. 48 overall) in the 2017 draft out of Stillwater High School in Oklahoma. He topped out as the No. 4 prospect in the Rockies' farm system in 2021, according to MLB Pipeline.

He made his MLB debut in September 2021 and played three games with the Rockies. He went hitless with one walk and one strikeout in seven plate appearances.

Vilade hasn't been back to the big leagues.

He was claimed off waivers by the Pirates in November 2022 and spent the entire 2023 season in Pittsburgh's organization before becoming a minor-league free agent in November 2023.

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Another minor addition

The Tigers re-signed right-hander Garrett Hill, who was removed from the 40-man roster in mid-November, to a minor-league contract. The contract includes a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training, according to a source.

The 27-year-old spent time on the injured list last season.

In 2023, Hill logged a 9.19 ERA with 14 walks and 14 strikeouts over 15⅔ innings in nine relief appearances with the Tigers. He also had a 6.66 ERA with 35 walks and 70 strikeouts over 51⅓ innings in 28 games with Low-A Lakeland (two games) and Triple-A Toledo (26 games).

Hill has been with the Tigers since he was selected in the 26th round (No. 765 overall) in the 2018 draft out of San Diego State. He has a 5.09 ERA over 76 innings in 26 games (eight starts) in his MLB career, spanning parts of two seasons.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers sign former prospect Ryan Vilade to minor-league deal