Detroit Tigers 2020 MLB Draft: 3 Sleeper picks for day two

The Detroit Tigers need to have a productive 2020 MLB Draft, here are some sleeper picks for day two.

As the clock winds down and the Detroit Tigers look to kick off the draft on day one, take a look into day two since day one will be short-lived. The majority of the Tigers selections will come on day two of the draft with five picks being made.

Since day one is going to be round one, pick one and then over, take a look at some possible targets for day two of the draft when the Tigers come on the clock again. The Tigers will be looking to bring in players with predictability and no questions around getting them signed.

Given that I already have mentioned some names in a day two preview, as well as the mock draft, take a look into some players that have not been touched on. These are three players to keep an eye on as some sleeper picks for the Tigers.

More from Detroit Jock City

• Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
• Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
• Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
• This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
• 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings

Drew Romo, Catcher, The Woodlands High School (Texas)

When the Detroit Tigers kick-off day two of the draft, it seems like a college player will be the target between someone like RHP Bryce Jarvis or SS Casey Martin, but a high school talent might be better. The Tigers should not sleep on high school backstop Drew Romo out of Texas.

Romo is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound backstop who hits from both sides of the plate, not to mention he is committed to Louisiana State University. Romo is just another one of the many catchers in this stacked catching draft class. He is a toolsy catcher who excels in each area, blocking, receiving, and throwing.

At the plate, Romo has been noted as a dual-threat, hitting with some pop from both sides of the plate. Romo may not have the proving ground of college seasons, but scouts seem to think his talent could result in him getting taken early on in the draft.

Kyle Nicolas, Right-Handed Pitcher, Ball State University

After the Detroit Tigers make their first selection of day two, they will have another draft choice in Competitive Balance Round B, and they should use this to scoop up an arm. The arm to keep on their shortlist is a right-handed pitcher from Ball State University, Kyle Nicolas.

Nicolas is a 6-foot-4, 225-pound right-hander that predominantly uses a fastball/slider combo that features a change-up. Having seen him throw against Miami University in 2019, he is an excellent player to keep in the back pocket as a sleeper pick.

He was consistent with a mid-90s fastball, striking out hitters with the slider, but he did seem to lose the zone a few times, issuing four walks in his outing against the Miami RedHawks in 2019. In the long run, Nicolas has been a mid- to upper-90s pitcher, topping at 97mph with minor control issues.

Casey Schmitt, Third Base/Right-Handed Pitcher, San Diego State University

With their third pick on the second day of the draft, the Detroit Tigers should go “rogue” and select a two-way player just for the intrigue. Third baseman and right-handed pitcher Casey Schmitt is the player deemed a sleeper for the third round.

Schmitt is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound, right-handed hitting and throwing product of San Diego State University. The intrigue here is that he almost has two chances to make it to the big leagues, whether it be as a power-hitting third baseman or a shutdown reliever.

Scouts have labeled Schmitt’s bat as one to look out for and someone who could be a future anchor in a lineup as a third baseman, but on the mound, he also offers upside. Schmitt has been useful as a closer for the San Diego State Aztecs, and that could translate into an MLB relief role.

The Detroit Tigers have all the opportunity in the world to make this 2020 MLB Draft a success; the talent pool is going to be pretty nice given the shortened draft; hopefully, Avila does his job.