Embed from Getty Images Al Avila did it! The Detroit Tigers general manager nailed the 2020 MLB Draft. For the first time in years the Tigers did not draft pitching. Pitching is not a organization problem. No the Tigers drafted bats. Hitters, thumpers were the order. In do so Avila has sped the Tigers rebuild up and the future now looks much clearer.
If there is one word to describe the Detroit Tigers 2020 draft class it is “impact.” Sometimes in sports you have to be lucky. Luck was on the Tigers side from the first pick to the last. Talent after talent fell into Detroit’s lap.
The Tigers started the draft as many thought they would by taking the player head and shoulders above every other player in the draft. Spencer Torkelson who should arrive in Motown as early as next season. It gets better.
The Tigers who have struggled to find a catcher then turned their focus to Ohio State product Dillon Dingler. Dingler was first round talent on many boards (the Tigers got him in round 2), rare athleticism behind the plate with a 70 arm, his catch and throw is excellent, Dingler has projectile power and he has been constantly coming on with the bat.
The Tigers then nabbed LSU OF Daniel Cabrera. One talent evaluator felt Cabrera was the best college bat available at that spot, and by a clear margin. While not blessed with super high-end upside, Cabrera is widely viewed as an everyday player and will hit a lot. Not bad value for being a competitive balance round B draft pick.
In the third round Detroit took Trei Cruz. Who plays short stop and can also handle 2B and 3B as well. Cruz can hit and has some pop in his bat. Cruz is a very solid player who has a good feel for hitting, adding more offensive firepower to the Tigers system.
The Tigers got an absolute steal in the fourth round when Arizona State’s (and teammate of Spence Torkelson) Gage Workman fell into Detroit’s lap. Workman plays 3B and was viewed by nearly every scout as first round talent. Workman is a player with both a high offensive and defensive ceiling.
After the four college players Detroit went for a high school player. Colt Keith 3B, Keith can also pitch.
The talk around baseball is the Detroit Tigers won the draft. The team was wise to not draft pitching and there was temping pitching talent in this draft class. But the team went for bats.
While prospects are a gamble. Detroit made smart choices and luck was on their side. Detroit’s rebuild just sped up.
