Detroit Tigers Select RHP Matt Manning in 2016 MLB Draft
By Zac Snyder
True to their profile of loving power arms, the Detroit Tigers selected hard-throwing RHP Matt Manning in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
The Detroit Tigers earned a reputation as a team always on the lookout for power arms during Dave Dombrowski’s tenure as general manager. It doesn’t look like that will change now that Al Avila is the man in charge.
The Tigers made their first round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft earlier this evening, selecting prep right handed pitcher Matt Manning with the ninth overall pick.
Like so many recent pitchers drafted by the Tigers, Manning can run his fastball into the mid and upper 90s. He is described as also having a power curveball and a changeup, though that is a less-developed third pitch. Developing the changeup and overall command will be key in Manning reaching his potential.
There are some concerns about Manning’s signability, drawing into question whether or not Manning will end up wearing at Tigers uniform.
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He was one of three players named as tough signs in a recent USA Today piece, noting his options in both basketball and baseball should he choose to follow through on his commitment to Loyola Marymount. Yahoo’s Jeff Passan tweeted similar sentiments.
Manning comes from a family well-versed in the business side of sports. His father, Rich Manning, was a second round pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1993 NBA Draft and spent eight years playing professional basketball, including two NBA seasons split between the Vancouver Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers.
However, Manning’s father disputes rumors that it will take a big bonus for Matt to forgo college. Via the Sacramento Bee:
"“I don’t know where that’s coming from, and there are a lot of rumors that are not accurate,” Matt said. “We never put a number out.”"
The Tigers could find themselves in a tough spot if Manning does ask for an over-slot bonus. Teams typical can go over for some players by saving elsewhere, typical by selecting college seniors who don’t hold much leverage in negotiations. With their second and third round picks forfeited by signing Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Upton in free agency, the Tigers have a smaller bonus pool to work with. Look for the Tigers to try to save some money with their fourth and fifth round picks.
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The Tigers are likely comfortable with their ability to sign Manning otherwise they probably would have gone in a different direction. The ninth pick is a reasonable range where many projected Manning to go so it isn’t like he should have had ideas of top three bonus money dashed by a fall down the draft board.