Detroit Tigers: A look at picks from rounds 2-5 of the 2021 MLB Draft

Round 2, Pick 39: Izaac Pacheco – SS/LHH, Friendswood HS (Tex.)

It was originally expected that the Detroit Tigers were going to select a prep school shortstop. The top-ranked prep shortstop was Marcelo Mayer, who the team left on the board. They were also linked to Brady House.

Instead, they opted to open up day two of the draft with the selection of Izaac Pacheco from Texas. Pacheco is a left-handed shortstop who very well could be just as good as House in the batters’ box. Unlike House, Pacheco swings from the left side but has just as much to like.

He’s a lefty with pop who the Tigers think will play shortstop. However, it seems that he may be more suited for a third base role by the time he makes his way to the big leagues. He’s going to be a big boy; a 6-foot-4, 225-pound shortstop is going to end up looking more like a third baseman.

While he may be more of a risk in the second round than a sure bet like Mayer or House seems, but there’s a lot to like with his hit tool. Even if he is a struggle to pan out, the team could flip prospects for a future shortstop or spend money to sign one in free agency.

Looking at his swing, it’s a quick toe-tap and then stride through the zone. He does a good job barreling up the baseball and driving it. He can cover the zone well and still find ways to drive the ball and show advanced pop, which should get even better.

The knock on Pacheco is that while he does cover the zone well, he does tend to swing and miss more than an organization should like. It should be interesting to see how Pacheco develops on his road to Detroit.