DETROIT -- John Hicks was years away from even dreaming about playing baseball, let alone being a Major Leaguer, when his Players’ Weekend nickname was born.

“When I was a kid, anytime music would come on, I would start dancing,” Hicks explained. “It started out like, ‘You’re a little jazz man. You’ve got the moves.’ And then, it just got shortened to Jazz.

“When I’m back home in Virginia, probably 80 percent of the people that I’m close with at home call me that.”

The nickname Hicks’ father gave his toe-tapping kid when he was a toddler will be on the back of his jersey when the Tigers travel to Minnesota to face the Twins in two weeks.

• Every team's Players' Weekend nicknames

For the third consecutive year, players have a chance to put nicknames on the back of specially-designed jerseys as part of Players’ Weekend. This year’s Players’ Weekend jerseys will be monochromatic, with the Tigers wearing special all-black jerseys and caps. Game-worn jerseys will be auctioned at MLB.com/auctions, with proceeds donated to the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation.

• Shop Tigers Players' Weekend Gear

Like Hicks, most of the Tigers who were on the team at this point last year will carry over the same nickname. Miguel Cabrera will be Miggy, of course. Matthew Boyd will be “Matty B,” Daniel Norris will be “D. No,” Joe Jimenez will be “Jo Jo” and Jeimer Candelario will be “Candy.” Buck Farmer’s nickname -- “George” -- is his actual first name.

Two notable changes among the returning Tigers include Drew VerHagen, who changed his nickname from “Vergy” to “Dutch,” and Niko Goodrum. A year ago, Goodrum wore “J.J. Mumford” in honor of family friends who passed away in an auto accident. This year, he’ll be wearing the name “Stinchcomb.”

Hicks had an influence on one nickname among the new players as well. Brandon Dixon’s nickname came out of a dugout exchange with bench coach Steve Liddle.

“That was kind of an accidental nickname,” Hicks explained. “One day, we were sitting on the bench together, and Liddle looked over and goes, ‘Dixie!’ Me and Dixon both looked over, because Dixie/Hicksy.”

Realizing the confusion, Liddle called out Dixon’s first name, but in his Tennessee accent.

“He goes, ‘Bandon,’” Hicks said. “And I’m like, ‘Did he just call you Bandit?’”

The nickname has stuck.

Quick hits

• Double-A Erie left-hander Tarik Skubal and Triple-A Toledo infielder Ronny Rodriguez have been selected as the Tigers’ Minor League Pitcher and Player of the Month, respectively, for July. Skubal, ranked fourth on MLB Pipeline’s recently-updated Tigers prospect list, posted a 2.03 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 31 innings over six starts between Class A Advanced Lakeland and Erie. Rodriguez, an early-season catalyst in Detroit's lineup, batted .330 with a .660 slugging percentage for the Mud Hens in July, slugging eight home runs and five doubles to go with 21 RBIs.

• The Tigers will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Detroit Stars with their Negro Leagues Weekend Friday through Sunday. Former Tigers outfielder and current Fox Sports Detroit analyst Craig Monroe will be honored with the Willie Horton African-American Legacy Award in a pregame ceremony Sunday before he throws the ceremonial first pitch.