Detroit Tigers: 3 things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving comes and goes in this crazy 2020 year, take a look at three things that all Detroit Tigers fans can be thankful for this holiday.

Since the end of September, the Detroit Tigers have not set foot on a ball field, but a lot has changed since then. Even though it was prior to the season end, former Manager Ron Gardenhire departed, a new coaching regime was brought in, prospects were added to the 40-man, etc.

While the Tigers may not be the most competitive bunch, they are seemingly improving and getting better with things. They may not have played a full 162-game season during the 2020 year due to COVID-19, but instead, they ran with a 60-game season that still looked better than the team’s 2019 performance.

The 47-114 final record in 2019 was tough to watch, 2020 was likely only going to be a bit better, win totals in the 50ish range, but COVID-19 obviously had different plans. That being said, the Tigers finished 23-35 in their 2020 sprint season, fifth in the American League (AL) Central.

While these last two seasons are bad and pretty bad, to say the least, the Tigers still appear as if they are going to start trending upward. That trend upward will be a slow crawl, but it at least offers some signs of progress.

That being said, looking at the positives and good things happening with the organization leaves the fans with some reasons to be thankful rather than discouraged.

Reason #1: The Detroit Tigers withhold the third overall selection in the 2021 First-Year Amateur Player Draft.

This past season the Detroit Tigers had the first overall selection in the 2020 First-Year Amateur Player Draft, where they selected Arizona State corner infielder Spencer Torkelson. After some clarity was handed out regarding the 2021 First-Year Amateur Player Draft, the Tigers now know their fate.

Once again, the organization will have a top-pick, this year, selecting third overall. This means another top-tier talent that the organization can bring in with hopes to develop alongside some of the other recent draft picks.

In this case, Riley Greene, Casey Mize, and Spencer Torkelson are holding that spotlight, but there will still be a fourth name to throw into that mix. Fans should be thankful for another top pick that hypothetically gives them even more talent to add into the mix as they push through the rebuild.

Having the high pick each round allows them to try and have another solid draft as they did in 2020. Even though COVID-19 caused the 2020 draft to be trimmed down to five rounds, the  Tigers made the most of it and came up with a stellar draft class.

With another high pick, much of the same should be expected in this upcoming 2021 draft. Fans should be thankful; even if it meant a tough 2020 season and more losing, it translates to more talent for the future while they start phasing in some of their younger talents.