The Tigers took some chances on some good high school players, but who knows if they’re going to sign them.
DRAFT STRATEGY: The Tigers like ’em young. I think they went for whatever pitching depth they could grab, bypassed the prep right-handers who were still out there, and shot big for corner power and catching defense. The two corner bats that stand out to me at Nick Castellanos and Dominic Ficociello. These players represent two different amateur careers. Castellanos was a guy who played everywhere and was always high on publication boards. Ficociello was a blue-collar guy from a baseball town who blasted his way onto the map. I’ve seen more of Ficociello than I have of Castellanos, and guys I respect have spoken very well of him as a player and as a team guy. So I have to flip a coin. The question is how much coin the Tigers will spend to buy it. One other guy: UC Riverside catcher Rob Brantley is a very solid guy.
RISK/REWARD: Arkansas lefty Drew Smyly is one of those loose and whippy left-handers who could be fast-tracked if it all goes well. Chance Ruffin never stood out for me in the very limited TV looks I had at him. Cole Green was average in my TV looks.
A GOOD GET IF YOU CAN SIGN HIM: For me, this draft hinges on getting either Castellanos or Ficociello in the system. Jake Hernandez is going to be a fine defender, but it sure looks like he’ll be getting to USC.
GUYS WHO MIGHT SURPRISE: Notre Dame right-hander Brian Dupra has always thrown hard and bounced between starting and closing. He’s been on the Cape for two summers, where he has one of the best arms, but people who have seen a lot of him worry that he doesn’t create enough downhill plane to maximize his stuff. To me, that sounds like a guy who is one adjustment away from being a fast-tracked big league bullpen arm. Cal State Fullerton infielder Cory Jones is a solid left-handing hitting infielder from Camarillo, where baseball is in the drinking water. I liked his offensive foundation when he was hitting about .220 in early spring. He saved his season. Good hitters do that. Solid defender. Jones fits a Tigers type — sound defender with at least average offensive potential.
IF I HAD MY PICK: Should I be bold and pick Ficociello over Castellanos? Yeah, yeah yeah, I know, West Coast bias.
SUMMARY: This is a deadline draft for me. To spend or not to spend?
OLD SCHOOL SCOUTING GRADE: C+
