Detroit Tigers: All signs point towards drafting a shortstop at no. 3
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Tigers have a glaring need at the shortstop position now and in the future.
The organization does not have much shortstop depth throughout the position, and the once hopeful Willi Castro seems better suited as second base. Still, his future there is even in question.
Castro is struggling to turn the double-play from second base. Castro’s transfer time is lagging, and timing with whoever is playing shortstop isn’t fluid while turning the double-play from second base. For a guy who isn’t used to pivoting from second, it doesn’t come naturally, and trying to perfect the craft at the MLB level is less than ideal.
The Tigers have rotated Niko Goodrum, rookie Zack Short, Harold Castro, and Willi Castro at the shortstop position of late. The jury is still out on Short, but none of the others should be considered as a long-term solution.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch has split Jonathan Schoop’s workload between second base and first base. I feel that playing Schoop at second solidifies the offense at that position. The problem is, the Tigers don’t have a capable everyday slugging, middle-of-the-lineup first baseman to round out their lineup.
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With a rich crop of established shortstops set to hit the open market this offseason, the Detroit Tigers will look to solidify the position.
If Mayer falls to no. 3, it’s a home run for GM Al Avila and the Detroit Tigers.
Detroit Jock City’s co-expert Tyler Kotila suggests the Detroit Tigers will select Marcelo Mayer SS, Eastlake (CA). Mayer is a talented prospect and may even find himself being selected no.1 overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates, as ESPN insider Kiley McDaniel suggested Sunday evening.
It’s unlikely that Jack Leiter falls to no. 3, but that would leave Avila with a decision. Do you select another potential top of the rotation ace-like starting pitcher to pair with Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal? Or do you select the third-ranked shortstop knowing Mayer and likely Brady House to be off the board? If it comes down to Leiter, RHP Jackson Jobe, or shortstops Jackson Merrill, or Trey Sweeney, I’m hoping the pick is Leiter.
If the first two picks are Leiter and Mayer, all signs point to the Detroit Tigers selecting Brady House.
Even though the Detroit Tigers are thin throughout their organization at the shortstop position, I hope the organization makes an aggressive effort to add one of Carlos Correa, Marcus Semien, Trevor Story, Corey Seager, or Javier Baez this Winter.
dark. Next. One last prediction on the third overall pick
Adding a veteran shortstop will buy the organization time and allow them to choose the best player available without feeling the need to pass on a premium arm like Leiter to select who they deem the third-best shortstop in the draft class.