Detroit Tigers: Izaac Pacheco is a future impact bat with position unknown
By Tyler Kotila
In the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft, the Detroit Tigers selected Izaac Pacheco with the 39th overall draft choice. Pacheco is the Tigers’ way of settling for a prep shortstop after not taking one on day one.
With the third overall pick, the Detroit Tigers went with high-school starting pitcher Jackson Jobe instead of shortstop Marcelo Mayer, a consensus top-three prospect and top-overall prospect according to many media outlets.
The jury is still out on what the Tigers are going to be doing to solve their dilemma of a shortstop of the future, so who knows what direction that is going in. But, Pacheco is one of the names in that hat.
Though, by the time Pacheco works through the farm system and is ready to really cement a role somewhere, it may be third base rather than shortstop. Time will tell, plenty can happen with a prep shortstop, but Pacheco may be better suited for a third-base role. Either way, it is an intriguing pick from the Tigers.
The Detroit Tigers grabbed their shortstop in the second round, selecting Izaac Pacheco.
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Pacheco is committed to play for Texas A&M University, but once he signs with the organization, he will forgo those four years and look to develop in the farm system as well. He hails from Texas, playing for Friendswood high school outside of Houston.
The young shortstop stands 6-foot-4 and weighs in at 220-pounds. He’s clean in the field with smooth actions and a good arm across the infield. Smart player who shows he’s athletic, even at 6-foot-4.
The big frame and size leads me to want to place a possible third base role on him. If he continues to get stronger, grow into his frame, and develop some serious pop, he could be a power-hitting third baseman.
He’s received comps to Brady House of the same 2021 draft class, another prep shortstop who may be stationed at third when he gets to the big leagues.
Over his four years of prep school, Pacheco frequented events with Perfect Game USA, logging 71 games played with 212 plate appearances. He carried a .345 average, a .481 on-base percentage, more extra-base hits than singles (30), and 64 RBI.
He swings it from the left side, and it appears that he might be able to show some advanced power looks in the future. With good bat speed and the ability to land the bat on the ball, Pacheco has the making of a run-producing bat in the future.
The intriguing part is figuring out where he is going to play. I’m sticking to the idea that he shifts over to third base, but there’s plenty of time for him to go; either way, time will tell.
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Regardless, the Tigers made a good pick with Pacheco in the second round; the future of the Tigers’ shortstop position still remains a mystery though.