Detroit Tigers: 2021 MLB Draft leaves the organization with two options
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Tigers will select third in the 2021 MLB Draft, where they will have plenty of top talents to pick from. The biggest thing is what avenue the team wants to go, whether it is selecting a pitcher or a hitter to start the draft class.
The last two seasons, the Detroit Tigers have been looking to even out their farm system; they have selected hitters Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson. However, the Tigers have to decide what they will do this year.
Frankly, adding another top-tier hitter seems like the best move for the organization. While the college pitching talent available will be incredibly stacked courtesy of Vanderbilt’s top two arms, hitting needs to be improved.
While Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter are likely to both be selected as the top two arms in the draft class, the Tigers should focus on hitters if the opportunity presents itself. It really seems like adding more hitters would be the best thing for the organization in its current state.
The Detroit Tigers have to figure out whether taking a hitter or pitcher is best in the 2021 MLB Draft.
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I will be the first to admit that I was favoring the addition of a pitcher. I have been writing a plethora of articles about how the Tigers needed to try and take Leiter or Rocker if the opportunity presents itself.
Beyond that, Louisiana State University starter Jaiden Hill has shown he is worthy of a top-five selection, but the Tigers should steer clear.
In all honesty, the more I have thought about it, the Tigers need to focus on adding another hitter to the prospect mix.
Another top prospect in the batters’ box to pair with the pitching depth that is evident across the Tigers farm system.
As of right now, MLB dot com‘s Top 100 Draft Prospect list has three position players listed in the top five.
The Tigers could take their pick between any of the young talents. Currently, high-schooler Jordan Lawlar, a high-schooler out of Texas, is ranked second and deserves a look.
Shortstop Matt McLain from UCLA, who is another option for the Tigers, would be another infielder to add into the mix. Especially as a middle-infielder, McLain could add a nice bat to the Tigers farm system, pairing well with Greene and Torkelson, the city’s new “Bash Brothers.”
If the Tigers are unhappy with their catching prospects, they should explore taking Adrian Del Castillo from the University of Miami. Del Castillo would be a solid catching addition to the farm system, which would close the book on Jake Rogers and likely mean Dillon Dingler would be changing positions (but he’s quite the athlete, so he could do it).
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Keep an eye on the Tigers’ draft rumors as the draft gets closer, but the Tigers will have options; taking a hitter is likely the best option.