Detroit Tigers: 3 players to watch for in the 2021 MLB Draft

Parker Chavers – OF from Coastal Carolina University

While he is much farther down on the draft rankings on most websites, Coastal Carolina outfielder Parker Chavers should be highlighted on the Detroit Tigers draft lists. Chavers, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound outfielder, was great for the Chanticleers in 2021.

He’s another player who I was able to watch this season. While it was one game, there was some game prep and scouting involved; Chavers is a good hitter, no question. He swings it from the left side and does a good job showing some juice.

In 2021, Chavers played 49 games for the Chanticleers, where he slashed .318/.407/.477 with five home runs and 33 RBI on the season. He was much more of a power and home run threat when he got to Coastal Carolina.

But he has since become more mature at the plate, not swinging for the fences all the time. Refining his approach to not be pull-oriented, he has found ways to advance base runners and drive the ball to the gaps and still showcase that power on occasion.

Chavers is quick and can steal bases; he’s a smart base-runner who will grab the extra-90 feet if you leave it there for him. He stole a career-high 14 bases this year for the Chanticleers. He patrols centerfield for them and has shown a better feel for the position as he continued on his collegiate journey.

Fielding is not his best tool, but it is something that he can learn and develop as he works through a minor league system. With present tools and a lot to like, some may wonder why he is so low on draft rankings. Chavers is about to turn 23 and is on the wrong side of the age curve for the draft.

Besides that, a labrum injury in high school has made things difficult on him and is one of the reasons he went undrafted last summer. However, with a later-round pick, the Tigers should be all over someone with the tools he has present.

The injury bug is always a worry, but taking him and adding him to the organization in a lesser pressure role might be the best move. The Tigers should have Chavers on their draft board for one of the later picks.