Detroit Tigers Mock Draft: Last-Minute Picks and Predictions

The Detroit Tigers will be trying to replenish their ranks and build for the future when the 2015 MLB draft begins on June 8.

Detroit will have two picks in the opening round—Nos. 22 and 34— and a total of four in the first three rounds.

It’s tough to predict who the Tigers will choose as 21 dominoes will already have fallen before they have their first say.

Perhaps trends from the past could provide a guide. In recent years, the organization has tended to favor arms in the opening round. During the Dave Dombrowski era (2002-present), Detroit’s top choice has been a pitcher (seven times) nearly twice as often as it’s been a position player (four times).

Does this mean that a pitcher is more likely to be chosen first in 2015? Perhaps not. David Chadd, the team's vice president for amateur scouting, intimated a pragmatic approach when speaking to Lynn Henning of the Detroit News:

"

We're not really locked in on a particular player or position—we're open to anything. The great thing about Dave (Dombrowski) is he lets us take the best players at a particular spot. I certainly know from the standpoint of organizational depth, some pitchers have been traded. And everyone likes left-hand hitting. But we'll take the best player.

"

Who the best player available will be at No. 22 remains to be seen. But it’s always fun to guess. Below are three of the top contenders to be plucked by Detroit with its first pick.

Kyle Funkhouser, SP

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Funkhouser fits the Detroit mold to a T. The 6’3” 225-pound pitcher is similar to others selected by the Tigers within the last decade or so, such as Justin Verlander, Andrew Miller and Jacob Turner.

Multiple sources have already foreseen it. Both the ESPN and FanGraphs mock drafts tipped the two-time All-American to wind up in Motown.

Funkhouser went 8-5 with a 3.25 ERA for the Louisville Cardinals in 2015. His numbers from the previous campaign were more eye-catching: 13-3 with a 1.94 ERA and 122 K’s.

This year’s regression, as well as control issues—43 walks in 2015— may put off the Tigers. Henning even suggested recently that Detroit had already “cooled” on the righty.

Nick Plummer, OF

If Detroit wants a local boy, then this is their guy. A senior at Brother Rice High School in Michigan, Plummer projects to be a high draft choice next week. Dombrowski even said so per Jared Purcell of MLive.

The 5’11”, 197-pound center fielder has had a superb offensive season for his school. Through 39 games he had compiled a .520 average, 18 doubles, three homers, 30 steals and 68 runs, per Mick McCabe of the Detroit Free Press.

Brother Rice coach Bob Riker was effusive in his praise for the lefty when speaking to David Goricki of the Detroit News:

"

I've had him for four years and he has a combination of speed and power and is a very disciplined hitter. … He has power from the left side and I think that enamors the scouts. He's a five-tool guy, plays like Ken Griffey Jr. I'm not saying he's Ken Griffey Jr., but he can do a lot of things well and that's why he's projected as a first-round pick, and that just doesn't happen usually for high school outfielders.

"

Detroit chose a similar player in Derek Hill with its No. 1 overall pick last year. Selecting another leadoff-hitting center fielder seems unlikely. However, if he’s the best available at the time, you never know.

Chris Betts, C

Detroit has shown an inclination to draft catchers high in recent years. Both James McCann (Round 2, 2011) and Grayson Greiner (Round 3, 2014) were snapped up quickly by the Tigers.

FanGraphs projects that Betts will go even higher. But, will it be to Detroit? The organization appears to be interested, with Henning revealing that “the Tigers love Betts.”

The high schooler is a rare specimen batting lefty and playing catcher. If he’s still around at No. 22, the Tigers will jump at the chance.

Unless otherwise stated, stats in this article are courtesy of gocards.com.

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