MLB Draft: Detroit Tigers Names to Watch in the First Round
By Matt Snyder
Jun 14, 2014; Omaha, NE, USA; Louisville Cardinals pitcher Kyle Funkhouser (16) pitches against the Vanderbilt Commodores during game two of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Vanderbilt defeated Louisville 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Funkhouser, RHP (Louisville)
Kylie McDaniel of FanGraphs had the Tigers taking big Louisville righty Kyle Funkhouser with the 22nd pick in his only full mock draft.
"The Tigers like Tyler Stephenson, but there’s no way he gets here. Beyond that, and you hear this every year, but the Tigers love them some arm speed. Funkhouser is a nice value with a long track record and other names mentioned here include Beau Burrows, Michael Matuella and Donny Everett. Richie Martin has also been mentioned as a possibility."
McDaniel looks to be on the lower end with Funkhouser here at #22, but there were some concerns with how he ended the regular season with some diminished velocity. Baseball America reports that he was sitting 91-94 (and hit 95) in his last postseason start, so he may be sliding back up the draft board for any teams who dropped him.
It’s beginning to look unlikely that Funkhouser falls out of the teens and into the 20s.
Here’s where other draft experts see Funkhouser landing:
Jim Callis: #15 to Milwaukee
Jonathan Mayo: #17 to Cleveland
John Manuel: #15 to Milwaukee
Christopher Crawford: ranked #21 overall
Next: Cornelius Randolph, SS/3B