Tigers’ first-round pick Alex Faedo signs with club

2017 MLB draft first-round pick Alex Faedo has signed with the Detroit Tigers. MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo first reported the news. Bonus figures are not yet known. Faedo was the 18th pick overall, and few expected him to be available for the club to take.

After his sophomore season, Faedo was mentioned as a potential first overall pick, but offseason knee surgery and a slow start to the year took a little shine off that hope. Still, as a junior, the 6-5, 220-pound right hander had a 2.26 ERA, 157 strikeouts and 42 walks in 124 innings with the Florida Gators this season. He allowed just one run in 27-1/3 innings during the NCAA baseball tournament this year, while striking out 44 hitters.

BYB’s Rob Rogacki had this to say about Faedo after the draft:

If Faedo can regain his old velocity and smooth out his mechanics, he’s a fairly sure bet to reach the majors in some capacity. He has the stuff to be a lockdown reliever or a solid mid-rotation starter — yes, I know, we’ve heard that before — but is polished enough to potentially take that extra step if everything pans out.

The Detroit Free Press’ George Sipple notes that Faedo will not pitch for the Tigers organization this year, so you’ll have to wait to get a first look at him as a professional.