Detroit Tigers: Forecasting The Best Prospects At Each Position

This next section is going to be tough to stomach. Back in June, I wrote about how Riley Greene was a garbage pick at five. He shouldn’t have been chosen, and so on. Greene has been tearing it up and now appears that he could have an impact on the Tigers outfield.

After being selected in the first round, fifth overall as mentioned above, Riley Greene has started getting his development underway quickly. Greene, at eighteen, fresh out of high school, has already been promoted from rookie-ball. Greene was quoted as having the “purest bat” in the draft class, and his defense was not a concern. Greene is someone who could have a high ceiling if he continues the tear he’s on, but I am still not sold on him.

The better move would have been taking CJ Abrams with the fifth overall pick, but it’s too late to sit and pout about what should or should not have happened. Greene is currently stationed with the Single-A West Michigan after a promotion from the Low-A Connecticut affiliate. Since the promotion, Greene has posted a .225/.256/.375 slash line with a double, triple, home run, and a stolen base through nine games.

Greene’s bat will carry him through the system, and the ideal goal is to make him the corner outfielder of the Tigers future. I do not feel that his bat will carry him far enough to be a top-tier prospect as most people expect. However, as it stands TODAY based on his development with the two Single-A affiliates and rookie ball, he may surprise me and be the guy the Tigers are looking for. Greene is someone to keep an eye on as he rises through the ranks on his road to the Tigers roster.