Detroit Tigers: An early check-in on possible first overall picks
By Tyler Kotila
With the collegiate baseball season underway, take an early look into some of the possible first overall draft choices of the Detroit Tigers and how their seasons have started.
With the Detroit Tigers having the first overall pick, the rumors of who will be selected have started and will continue until the name is announced in June. However, there is already a pretty well-defined group of players who are considered possible first overall picks. Take an early peek into how the collegiate season has started for these players.
Most college teams should have about fifteen games under their belt by now, heading into the fifth weekend of their season. Weather plays a role here with games starting in February, but the top prospects have started off the beginning of the season.
One of the big names to watch out for this collegiate season is Austin Martin out of Vanderbilt University, who is an infielder/outfielder, in his junior year. Also, the power-hitting first baseman/outfielder Spencer Torkelson from Arizona State University is a possibility.
Turning many heads though is shortstop Nick Gonzales from New Mexico State University who could quickly jump his draft stock up to the top three spots with the way he is playing. In all reality, the Tigers will take a position player, but there is the off chance that the team selects Emerson Hancock out of the University of Georgia, the top-ranked arm in this year’s draft class.
Last year’s draft, it was clear that Oregon State University catcher Adley Rutschman was going to be the first overall pick to the Baltimore Orioles. It was almost a certainty for quite some time, but this year there is some uncertainty surrounding the pick, with no specific player leading the pack, yet.
After the Tigers selected high school outfielder Riley Greene in 2019, the team needs to make a wise decision this year to pair well with the youngster. If the Tigers make a successful pick, pairing Greene with another top-flight prospect, the future should be bright with the rest of the prospects in the system.
The Detroit Tigers currently possess the fifth-best farm system across the league according to MLB Pipeline’s 2020 rankings. Adding a first overall selection to the mix should put it in an even better state than before the draft. Hopefully, General Manager (GM) Al Avila can work with his staff to make the best possible first overall choice with this talent heavy top group of hitters.