Detroit Tigers Mock Draft of first 4 selections in 2021 MLB Draft

Round 3, Pick 74: Jose Torres – SS, N.C. State

When the Detroit Tigers pick rolls around in the third round, they should select Jose Torres of the North Carolina State Wolfpack. The shortstop’s draft stock is going to be rising as he worked to eliminate the number one ranked Arkansas Razorbacks with his home run in the 2021 Super Regional.

https://twitter.com/NCStateBaseball/status/1404236723140251650?s=20

However, Torres would be the perfect pick; while Opitz was the guy I chose at 39, the Tigers may be better served to select Torres there and go for Opitz here. But for what it’s worth, I had Torres as the third-round pick before the clutch home run, so I’m sticking to the Opitz in the second and Torres in the third plan.

The two-year shortstop at N.C. State hails from the Dominican Republic but went to high school in Maryland. Torres has been mighty good for the Wolfpack, and the stats show that. This past season, in 49 games, Torres slashed .292/.348/.535 with nine long-balls and 43 total RBI.

He is a shortstop who fields his position well and, as shown above, has some sneaky pop in his bat at the plate. A right-handed hitter who has a leg kick that pairs with a swing that looks to be pretty clean, he can barrel up the ball and make the opposing pitchers pay.

Torres would be another infielder to throw into the mix within this organization, one who should be considered exciting. If he continues to develop and become a power threat, the Tigers might stumble into a real nice future big-leaguer with this draft choice if all works out.

The Tigers will not be hurt by adding more prospect infielders, even if he moves, but with his abilities that appear to be pretty polished at short, he could look to solidify a path as a shortstop during his time in the team’s farm system.