Detroit Tigers: Marcelo Mayer is the choice if Jack Leiter is not available
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Tigers have the third overall pick in the 2021 MLB First-Year Amateur Draft in a few weeks. As the Tigers continue to prepare for that, mock drafts will continue to circulate, and rumors about who the team will select will continue to pour in.
The dream scenario remains as the Detroit Tigers selecting Vanderbilt University starting pitcher Jack Leiter. Adding in the arm is perfect, but if not, there are a few names the team could be the team’s choice when they are on the clock.
One of the possibilities at the top of this draft class is that the Tigers will select a prep school shortstop. Marcelo Mayer is the player the Tigers should be hoping for if Leiter ends up going round one, pick one, with Jordan Lawlar being second.
I’m sticking to my belief that the Texas Rangers are going to select Lawlar if he is on the board at two. But the first overall pick really is a bit of mystery between Lawlar, Leiter, and Mayer. If Mayer falls to three, the Tigers may be fancying themself a high-school shortstop.
The Detroit Tigers will likely select Marcelo Mayer if Jack Leiter is unavailable.
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Mayer, a prep shortstop who has been ranted and raved about, is going to be a great player. He swings from the left side and has a very smooth stroke. He has a light and quick step that gets him on time.
He’s a taller shortstop who has a lot of potentials to grow into his frame. He could very well profile out as having some excitement with the power-tool as he grows, develops, and gets stronger.
The USC commit has great bat speed already and should be able to develop his hit-tool even more as he works through a minor league system.
Defensively, Mayer is smooth with stellar mechanics. He has good range and makes a lot of good plays on groundballs.
The Tigers would be fortunate to have a prospect like Mayer, though I still hold out that Leiter is the best option for the team.
In his senior season with Eastlake High School, Mayer hit .394 with 13 home runs, 41 RBI, and 19 total extra-base hits. Mayer has projectability along with the tools shown; he appears to be the best prep shortstop in the draft class. Bottom line, the Tigers will not miss with this pick.
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As the Tigers continue preparing for each draft scenario with the third overall pick, Mayer’s name is likely to be circled as the best option for the team.