Detroit Tigers: 2019 MLB Draft Brings Uncertainty For The Tigers Pick

University of California baseball has produced its top hitting prospect in this year’s draft class, and this should draw some attention from a team like the Tigers whose focus should most definitely be on a solid hitter.

Andrew Vaughn is a 6-foot, 214-pound Junior that plays first base for the University of California Golden Bears. The buzz around Vaughn from scouts appeals to his bat which is close to major league capable with a little bit of polishing in a farm system. The driving force behind Vaughn’s success is his robust approach to hitting, which allows him to barrel balls up well, which enables him to be a dominant hitter in the box.

Vaughn is a right-handed hitter who the scouts project as a top ten pick, with a plus power grade which again, just fits well into what the Tigers should be in the market for at this year’s draft. The Tigers could swoop in and take Andrew Vaughn at pick number five if he is there and they should feel good about their decision.

The junior year season treated Vaughn well on the statistics side, leading the team in average, with a .387/.728/.549 line. Vaughn mashed 15 homers this year for the Golden Bears with 49 RBI on the 2019 season. Vaughn was punched out only 32 times through 173 at-bats. It sure seems like he is capable of making that jump from DI NCAA Baseball up to the big leagues with some polishing off of his skills in the farm system.

The Detroit Tigers current first base situation has Miguel Cabrera and John Hicks holding it down, but bringing in Vaughn would most likely prompt a shift for Cabrera as his contract winds down. Vaughn could be worked in alongside players like Christin Stewart, and Nick Castellanos who have all been rumored to be tested at first base at some point.