Detroit Tigers 2020 MLB Draft: Reviewing day two of the draft
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Tigers have selected Trei Cruz in the third round, with the 73rd overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.
Keeping the trend going the Detroit Tigers used their fourth-round pick on a shortstop from Rice University who has plenty of big-league blood in the family being the son of Jose Cruz Jr. and grandson of Jose Cruz.
The Tigers selected Trei Cruz 73rd overall, which seems to be another edition of the best player available where the organization simply chose who they felt was the best hitter on the board at that time. Cruz is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound switch-hitting infielder who claims home at shortstop.
There is a versatility aspect with Cruz being that he can shift over to third base, which he did at Rice on occasion. The power numbers are not there as much, but Cruz was a “hit for average” offensive shortstop who posted a .305/.393/.519 slash line in 2019.
Rice University. Trei Cruz. 63. Pick Analysis. SS. 73. player. Scouting Report
Cruz is somebody’s seems like a future trade bait type of pick, not labeling him as a bad pick but not as exciting as the other picks from the day. Cruz will join a crop of future middle infielders that the Tigers are pushing through the minor leagues.
His defense is lead by his hands and ability to make the throws across the diamond. Cruz’s future with the Tigers seems to be a developmental path. Cruz’s pick is more of an investment to see his bat develop as well as his fielding; he could become a defense-first shortstop.
It is early to make any concrete comparisons for someone who needs to develop more. Still, Cruz could eventually grade out similar to former Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias who has since moved on to other organizations. Cruz was not a bad pick but not the most exciting pick.