Top 5 Detroit Tigers MLB Draft Busts
By Tony Fischer
February 18, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Will Oakland Athletics infielder Scott Moore turn out to be one of the Detroit Tigers Top 5 draft busts? Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
With the 2013 MLB draft upon us it is always fun to look back at a franchises draft history. The Detroit Tigers do not have great draft history but have been more successful in recent years. Dave Dombrowski can be credited with successful the selection of Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello, Jacob Turner and Andrew Miller. But he has had some stinkers too.
Here is a look at the Top 5 Detroit Tigers MLB Draft Busts
- Matt Wheatland – P was drafted 8th overall in 200o MLB Draft. Matt Wheatland never advanced beyond A-Ball. After being drafted out of Ranch Bernadino High School, Wheatland could only manage a career 4.06 ERA in 15 starts.
- Kyle Sleeth -P Originally drafted by the Orioles in the 18th round of the 200 draft, Sleeth chose to play college ball for Wake Forest in the ACC. It was a good choice considering he had a great career with the Demon Deacon’s earning him a nomination as a finalist for Baseball America’s Gold Spikes Award. The highly touted Sleeth was draft by the Tigers in 2003 but was unable to advance beyond the AA level due to injuries. His career was paused in 2005 when he underwent Tommy John surgery. After attempting a comeback in 2006, Sleeth announced his retirement prior to the 2008 season.
- Eric Munson C- Was drafted as a catcher after his freshman season at USC in 1999. Munson was a power hitter at USC and when the Tigers drafted him they signed him to a team record $3.5 million dollar signing bonus. A record that stood until broken by Rick Porcello’s signing bonus of $3.58. Musnon’s power did not really materialize at the Major league level until 2003 when he hit 18 HR’s and batted .240. In 2004 he hit 19 HR but only managed to hit .212 and soon he was on his way out of Detroit.
- Seth Greisinger – P was drafted 6th overall in 1996. He Detroit Tigers career never materialized as he dealt with arm injuries and missed nearly four season. He pitched parts of 3 major league seasons for the Tigers, Twins and Braves going 10-16 with a 5.51 ERA. Greisinger did find success in Japan however where he pitches today for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
- Pat Underwood – P was drafted 2nd overall as a LHP in the 1976 MLB Draft. He did stick with the Tigers pitching 4 seasons but never lived up his draft ranking going 10-18 with a 4.43 ERA