Detroit Tigers select Reynaldo Rivera in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft

The Detroit Tigers selected hulking left-handed slugger Reynaldo Rivera (1B/OF) in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft.

The Detroit Tigers raised some eyebrows when they selected Reynaldo Rivera (Chipola College) in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Rivera played first base and outfield in college, but, at 6-6 and 250 lbs, his professional position is most likely to be first base.

Rivera appears to have the tools as a power hitter but his (apparently) limited defensive ability makes him a reach in the second round. Here’s what the MLB.com draft profile has to say, including the expectation that he would fall to the second day of the draft:

"He’s more agile than you’d think given his size, with some thinking he could even handle left field, albeit without much range, and should be a capable defender at first long-term. Committed to Mississippi State, Rivera’s power profile at first should interest many teams, especially from the left side of the plate. Teammate Andrew Bechtold is likely to go before him, but Rivera should be not that far behind him on Day 2 of the Draft."

Taking a player with a day two grade is maybe not a big deal if we’re talking end of round two vs. beginning of round three, but the Tigers appear to have gone off the board here. According to Baseball America’s position rankings, Rivera was the 14th best first base prospect in the draft.

As a college hitter with limited defensive value, the Tigers will need him to rise quickly through the system and hit for power and average at every level along the way. The margin for error with these types of prospects is rather thin. If he’s bat doesn’t produce, his value will crater.

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After he signs, Rivera will likely be placed at either short-season Connecticut or low-A West Michigan to begin his professional career.