5:03pm Jim Callis has locked in the first 8 picks and says the Tigers will have their choice between Tyler Matzek, Jacob Turner, Shelby Miller, and Michael Leake depending on how much they want to spend.
The Tigers will have the 9th pick in the draft today. I can’t speak with much authority about the pool of players they will be selecting from. Amateur baseball is something I just don’t have the depth or breadth of knowledge to talk about. So I’ll look to the experts. Here are what some of the mock drafts are saying about the Tigers pick:
9. Detroit Tigers: Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy, MO
Staying put with this pick as it’s still a definite possibility. Two of the Draft’s wild cards, Scheppers and Tate, could feasibly find a home here. For now, though, Turner remains the pick.
9. TIGERS (Jim). Here’s where it gets tough, because Texas high school lefty Matthew Purke is the best player on the board. The Tigers haven’t been afraid to spend big to get players such as Justin Verlander, Andrew Miller and Rick Porcello, and they’re happy with how all three of those guys have turned out. But Purke’s father apparently wants Porcello money ($7 million) for his son, and while Matthew is very talented, that’s at least twice what I’d want to pay him. I’m not ready to pull the trigger on St. Paul Saints (American Association) righthander Tanner Scheppers yet either. He has thrown hard this spring, but he had serious shoulder issues a year ago, and shoulder issues scare me. I’m going to go for a little gamesmanship here, because there are a couple of players I like that I don’t think you’re going to pop, so I’ll take Texas high school righthander Shelby Miller. He’s got the best high school fastball in this draft, and that works for me.
MLB draft: Keith Law’s mock draft 3.0 – ESPN
9. Detroit Tigers Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy: They’re also on Tanner Scheppers, and they’re having Reymond Fuentes in for a workout today. Mike Trout was rumored to be in the mix here a month ago.
SportingNews.com – MLB Draft Blog
9. Detroit Tigers
Jacob Turner, Westminster Christian (St. Louis) HS, RHP
Scott Boras representation won’t scare off Tigers, who have paid over slot for Rick Porcello and Casey Crosby.
BaseballAmerica.com: Draft: Mock Draft: Mock Draft 4.0
9. TIGERS. Late word is that Detroit won’t have a blank check to sign its favorite player who falls because of signability, which would have been Matzek, Turner or Purke. The Tigers could draft Crow and dig in, assuming he won’t want to head back for a second season in independent ball. Candidates for a slot deal include Lipscomb lefthander Rex Brothers, Trout and James.
Projected Pick: REX BROTHERS.
Good stuff billfer. Thanks.
If (HUGE if) Matzek or even Crow slide down to the Tigers 9 slot, they will grab them. The Tigers are not afraid of the “slot system” (which never really works anyway).
But Matzek an Crow will be taken (theoretically) way before the Tigers pick. Matthew Purke, a hard throwing lefty, would be a nice pickup for the Tigers, regardless of the pricetag.
You never know if the Tigers do have that blank check in the first round. Due to economic conditions, they may pop a player who fits a slot. This could also leave them some room later in the draft to pay a little more on ap layer who falls.
I know, I know, best player available, but I wish the Tigers did something to address our glaring lack of high-upside position prospects. In the next 2-3 years we will need 2 OFs, a SS, a 2B, and a C.
Not really, we are overloaded with catchers. We actually had to let Skelton go in the rule 5 because we already have Ryan in AAA and Avila in AA.
At 2B we got Scott Sizemore in AA, who is looking ready to make the jump to the show.
In the OF we have Wilken Ramirez in AAA. He looks real good too. Ryan Strieby in AA is learning to play LF also.
All these guys will be major leaguers.
There just are not any position players worth to take in their No. 9 pick. There are so many good arms this year. Maybe in the later rounds, they can pick up a solid position player. This draft will be fairly deep, regardless of what other people are saying.
This draft is pretty weak on impact position players. I think the Tigers are putting more emphasis on getting top flight hitters from international signings. Look at Venezuela..F. Martinez a 3rd baseman and Avisail Garcia who is at West Michigan as a 17 year old. These guys are cheaper then american players in the draft and usually younger.
Wow. Aaron Crow projected to go at No. 9 by Jonothan Mayo at MLB.com. Alright, I like that pick, IF Crow is available. Although, I would really like Purke or even better, Matzek to be available at No. 9. Imagine a future front two of Porcello and Matzek/Crow/Purke…
One other interesting name I’ve read is Mike Leake, a 6′, 4 pitch righty. His fastball is averagish at 89-92, but he’s got a good slider, an average curve, a really nice changeup, very good command, and great poise. He’d be a really nice compliment I think. The Tigers are already witnessing what a guy without huge velocity can do so long as he’s got other things working for him in Porcello. Leake could be one of those Tim Hudson/James Shields types that munch up innings at above average quality. That’s really nice to have in the middle of the rotation.
The one thing I don’t like about Crow is that he’s got that Barry Zito hook in his backswing. It’s ugly.
whoever we draft, since he’s a top 10 pick, will be hyped up
I took Jacob Turner in a mock draft over on Project Prospect’s forums for the Tigers at No. 9. Also took Chris Dominguez, 3B out of Louisville in the 2nd round at 58.
I would understand if Illitch didn’t want to pay Purke Procello-money, but if they took Miller or Leake over Turner and Matzek for financial reasons, I’d be a bit disappointed.
Good stuff, thanks for digging a little deeper.
I’d probably take Aaron Crow with our pick.
Do you guys think Matzek will be a Tiger?!!!??
He’s available!!!
This is a dream come true!
C’mon, pull it off!
The Tigers get……..Jacob Turner.
Nope…
Jake Turner
A fine choice.
A good pick.
Tyler Matzek would have been great, but this is a good choice.
I can live with it
Wow, Rox took Matzek? Surprised they are going to throw out that kind of money.
Royals willing to pay up as well. Interesting.
Wow. Royals picked Crow. Cool, he stays in our division and we get to watch him in the future!