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The Tigers love a right-handed pitcher, as we’ve seen evidenced time and time again in their draft selections. That trend continues as the Tigers select right-handed pitcher Gio Arriera in the fourth round of the MLB draft with the 125th overall selection.
There’s not an abundance of data available on Arriera, but he’s typical of the Tigers’ selections. He has a fastball, a curve, and a breaking ball. There are command issues to go along with that, and the fastball is the only pitch that’s noted as being above-average, so it’s unlikely Arriera will be viewed as a starter for the Tigers, but he may show promise as a reliever down the road.
Jose Alvarez, who coached Arriera at Westland Hialeah High School told the Miami Herald:
Gio is a kid that comes after hitters with a two-seam fastball and can mix in a good curveball as well,” Alvarez said. “He’s been solid since his freshman season, but last year you could already see how special he could become.
Scouting reports are quick to point out his shaky command, however.
.@tigers select RHP Gio Arriera out of Palm Beach State College. Above average breaking ball, but lacks command. Good arm strength
— CBBSN (@CBScoutingNet) June 13, 2017
Command can be built up with work, and for a pitcher who already had decent control over two pitches in high school, and a breaking ball in addition, there’s a chance Arriera could make for a quality reliever with some patience and the right coaching.
Arriera is pretty close to Arrieta. If he can grow a beard maybe this will be awesome.