Bless You Boys - 2014 MLB draft: Detroit Tigers editionA detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2014-06-11T00:00:36-04:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/55481792014-06-11T00:00:36-04:002014-06-11T00:00:36-04:00Detroit Tigers draft selections for 2014
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<figcaption>Rich Schultz</figcaption>
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<p>Rather than follow their typical trend, the Tigers took a different approach in the first round, selecting a position player rather than a pitcher for only the second time since 2008.</p> <p>DETROIT--Because of the emphasis being placed on having left-handed pitchers as a strength and commodity, it was easy to expect the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> to go into the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb-draft">2014 MLB Draft</a> seeking a left-hander first and foremost.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That was not the case this year; in fact the Tigers had their sights set on anything but a pitcher, left- or right-handed. For only the second time since 2008 — the Tigers' third baseman <span>Nick Castellanos</span> was selected in 2010 — the Tigers opted for a position player for their first-round pick before picking up a right-handed pitcher rather than a lefty on day one of the draft.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Rather than seek out a pitcher first — left or right handed — as many teams were hoping to do, Tigers Vice President of Amateur Scouting David Chadd and Director of Amateur Scouting Scott Pleis decided to shake things up. They selected 18-year-old center fielder Derek Hill of Elk Grove High School in California (6-2, 195 pounds), a right-handed hitter with top speed and a quick bat.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The second day resulted in a more pitcher-heavy acquisition, with half of the players drafted right-handed pitchers. Two catchers, a third baseman and a center fielder rounded out the day, and all but one of the players selected were playing at a college level.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Hill has been called the best center fielder to come out of high school since Torii Hunter. Hill made adjustments to his game during the season — something not easily accomplished mid-season — and the player who visited Comerica Park for a workout was completely different than the one at the start of the season.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr">Hill had done more than enough to convince the Tigers scouts early on that he was their man and come draft day, Chadd and Pleis had their sights set on no one else. All the Tigers could do was hope that no other team picked him up first. "The enthusiasm that (Hill) plays with, he's got electric speed, he just enjoys himself on the field," Chadd said. "He's got bat speed, he's got base-stealing instincts, there really isn't a part of Derek Hill's game that I don't like. He has fun when he plays, he's just a joy to watch."</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Tigers classified Hill's overall abilities as an 80, the top score, which Chadd and Pleis stated isn't something they do often. They added that one of the advantages of Hill's all-around abilities is his speed, needing only about three steps before reaching his top speed.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Spencer Turnbull was the second-round pick for the Tigers, a right-handed pitcher (6-3, 230) out of the University of Alabama who has been classified as a workhorse in regard to his overall approach to the game. If there's one area for immediate improvement, it would be his walks. Turnbull walked 47 batters in 93 innings.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Grayson Greiner was the Tigers' third pick and the first on day two of the draft. A right-handed hitter (6-6, 220), Greiner is quite tall for a catcher but the Tigers believe it will not interfere with his ability to catch on any level. "Yeah he's large, but he's mobile; he moves well," Chadd said. "He was Team USA's catcher last year, primary catcher. So he's handled pitchers of major league caliber so we know he can catch, we know he can throw. Outstanding makeup and we think he's got the leadership qualities to catch, and catch at the highest level."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Greiner's experience at the major league level — as a result of being on Team USA — is expected to put him ahead of the curve, behind the plate. However, the Tigers do not believe that Greiner's height will necessarily translate to power at the plate. "I don't think he's a power hitter, I wouldn't classify him as that," Chadd said. "I would classify him more as a gap-type hitter. He does have some power but I think he's more of a contact-gap. There's some strength in his swing but again, I think his game, if you want to talk about strengths to his game I think it's going to be the catch and throw abilities. And you will have some offensive production with it as well."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Adam Ravenelle is a right-handed pitcher (6-3, 195) out of Vanderbilt University who was the Tigers' fourth round selection. He has pitched out of the bullpen to this point, but the Tigers believe he can be a starter. "Ravenelle we took as a starter, he's had delivery and arm action to allow him to start; for whatever reason he's always been in the pen in Vanderbilt, we think he can start," Chadd said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shane Zeile is the second catcher selected by the Tigers, a right-handed hitter (6-1, 195) from UCLA who has been catching for about two years. His hitting ability is still somewhat ‘up and down' but Zeile's catching will be the focus, something the Tigers believe can become polished with time. Apart from Greiner, Zeile was classified by the Tigers as two of the best talents available to them at the time of the draft. Shane is the nephew of Todd Zeile, who played in the big leagues for 16 seasons.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ross Kivett is a right-handed center fielder (6-1, 195) out of Kansas State University, selected in the sixth round by the Tigers. Kivett has played several positions — including shortstop and second base — but that has not hindered his ability to play well no matter the location. He is an average but well-rounded player who has the capability to adjust to any situation with ease and can hit. "If you look at historical statistics he's been pretty phenomenal," Chadd said. "He's always hit wherever he's been. He's a base-stealer, he's a baseball player. Not that he has a lot of pluses, he doesn't, he's got a lot of averages across the board but he's a very good player and a very good baseball player."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Joey Pankake — not the breakfast, although his name is pronounced the same — is a versatile third baseman (6-1, 200) out of the University of South Carolina, selected in the seventh round. Like Kivett, Pankake has played more than one position (he spent two years at shortstop, can play second base and the Tigers are considering him for catching duties) and just moved to third base this year. "Very, very good defensive player and again, I don't think Pankake's going to bring us, from an offensive perspective, I don't see him being plus plus power," Chadd said. "But I see him more of a gap-to-gap type hitter and a really good baseball player."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Artie Lewicki is the first of three consecutive right-handed pitchers selected by the Tigers, coming in as the team's eighth round pick. Hailing from the University of Virginia, Lewicki (6-3, 212) is a steady starter even late into the season. "We just happened to catch him in a mid-week start as he was coming off the oblique (injury) late in the year," Chadd said. "He was 92-95 for seven (innings), plus breaking ball, very easy fluid delivery on the mound, arm works well, repeats his delivery, three strikes. It was a surprise, really for us, late, to see a pitcher of that caliber."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Josh Laxer is a reliever, more specifically he is seen as a closer for the Tigers, the ninth round selection. Laxer is a right-handed pitcher (6-1, 210) from the University of Mississippi. Paul Voelker closed out the Tigers selections for the second day of the draft, a right-handed pitcher (5-10, 185) currently attending Dallas Baptist University. "Voelker might have the best chance of going to the bullpen because everything he has plays up a lot out of the pen," Chadd said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">While selecting some left-handed pitchers or hitters would have been nice, it just didn't fit into the Tigers process this year particularly with so many teams looking specifically for players with the same criteria. "Left-handed pitching is something you're always trying to find in the draft. It's just the way it falls," Chadd said. "If you could just go up there and pick your favorite player in every round, if it worked that way it'd be great but there's other clubs out looking for left-handed pitching as well."</p>
<p dir="ltr">As the third and fourth days of the draft progressed, the Tigers did eventually pick up four left-handed pitchers along with four catchers and eight infielders. The Tigers also drafted Magglio Ordóñez Jr., the son of retired Tigers' right-fielder Magglio Ordóñez, who played for the team from 2005-2011. The Tigers took Ordóñez Jr. in the 38th round.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/11/5799088/an-overview-of-the-detroit-tigers-draft-selections-for-2014Catherine Slonksnis2014-06-05T23:43:46-04:002014-06-05T23:43:46-04:00Tigers take Spencer Turnbull in Round 2
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<figcaption>Rich Schultz</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers took the RHP out of Alabama with the 63rd pick</p> <p>With the 63rd overall pick of the 2014 MLB Draft the Tigers took right-handed pitcher Spencer Turnbull out of the University of Alabama.</p>
<p>Turnbull has a 2.22 ERA in 93 innings this season for the Crimson Tide. He's struck out 61 but walked 47 batters.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20140604/NEWS/140609911/1015?Title=Spencer-Turnbull-is-Alabama-8217-s-top-draft-prospect" target="_blank">Via Tuscaloosa News:</a></p>
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<p>"Spencer has been a horse, he has taken the ball every weekend, he's never missed a start, he's never had an injury," Alabam coach Mitch Gaspard said. "It's a legitimate 95 miles per hour every time he goes out there. That's going to interest every pro scout out there."</p>
<p>Turnbull, who went 5-7 with a 2.22 ERA in 2014, brings value in his velocity. He sat between 93 and 97 mph with his fastball throughout his junior season while manning the top of Alabama's weekend rotation. He also has the ideal build (6-foot-4, 230) that major league teams look for in pitcher prospects.</p>
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<p>Also he's on Twitter: <a style="font-size: 12px;" href="https://twitter.com/spencerturnbull" target="_blank">@SpencerTurnbull</a></p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/5/5784902/mlb-draft-2014-spencer-turnbull-tigersKurt Mensching2014-06-05T21:28:19-04:002014-06-05T21:28:19-04:00Tigers draft OF Derek Hill
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<figcaption>MLBPR</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers drafted a high school outfielder who excites scouts.</p> <p>The Detroit Tigers drafted outfielder Derek Hill out of Elk Grove (Calif.) High School with the 23rd pick of the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft.</p>
<p>Yes, a position player. Yes, the Tigers. Yes he is years away from Detroit. We are as amazed as you are.</p>
<p>Hill is 6'1, 185-pound player described as the best defensive outfielder in the draft, capable of making highlight reel catches. He provides plenty of speed as well. The knock right now is whether his bat will translate and how much power he'll develop.</p>
<p>"The Tigers organization is excited to select Derek Hill this evening," Tigers Vice President, Amateur Scouting and Special Assistant to the General Manager, David Chadd said. "Derek is an excellent hitter, a great defensive outfielder and has electric speed. We're pleased to have the opportunity to add him to our organization."</p>
<p>Hill is committed to Oregon.</p>
<p>A popular comparison for Hill has been Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter, who happens to be his favorite player.</p>
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<p>Tigers' first round draft picks in the Dombrowski Era</p>
<p>2014 23 Derek Hill OF Elk Grove, HS</p>
<p>2013 20 Jonathan Crawford RHP U of Florida</p>
<p>2013 39 Cory Knebel RHRP U of Texas</p>
<p>2012 None</p>
<p>2011 None</p>
<p>2010 44 Nick Castellanos 3B Archbishop McCarthy HS, Florida</p>
<p>2010 48 Chance Ruffin RHP U of Texas</p>
<p>2009 9 Jacob Turner RHP Westminster Christian HS, St Louis, MO</p>
<p>2008 21 Ryan Perry RHP U of Arizona</p>
<p>2007 27 Rick Porcello RHP Seton Hall Prep HS, New Jersey</p>
<p>2007 60 Brandon Hamilton RHP Stanhope Elmore HS, Alabama</p>
<p>2006 6 Andrew Miller LHP U of North Carolina</p>
<p>2005 10 Cameron Maybin OF TC Roberson HS, North Carolina</p>
<p>2004 2 Justin Verlander RHP Old Dominion U, North Carolina</p>
<p>2003 3 Kyle Sleeth RHP Wake Forest U, North Carolina</p>
<p>2002 8 Scott Moore SS Cypress HS, California</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/5/5784498/tigers-2014-mlb-draft-derek-hillKurt Mensching2014-06-05T18:30:10-04:002014-06-05T18:30:10-04:00MLB 2014 amateur draft open thread
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<p>Follow along with the live draft coverage on the MLB Network and at MLB.com</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> have the 23rd pick in tonight's first round of MLB's 2014 amateur draft, which begins at 7 PM. Detroit also owns the 22nd selection in the second round, 63rd overall.</p>
<p>MLB's amateur draft is a 40 round, three day long event which starts at 7 PM tonight, running through Saturday, June 7. MLB Network will cover tonight's first two rounds of the draft, MLB.com offering streaming coverage. Tonight's action includes seven compensation picks and 13 competitive-balance picks. A total of 74 selections will be made tonight.</p>
<p>MLB.com will stream the remainder of the draft. Friday will be rounds 3-10, Saturday rounds 11-40, both days starting at 1 PM.</p>
<p>Dave Dombrowski and his staff are well-known for their stockpiling big, hard-throwing college pitchers in the draft. The organization has taken a pitcher first in seven of the last ten drafts. <span>Nick Castellanos</span> was a rare exception, a position player selected straight out of high school in 2010.</p>
<p>Players linked to the Tigers include Louisville closer Nick Burdi (who seems to be the consensus pick in the majority of mock drafts), Virginia reliever Nick Howard, TCU pitcher Brandon Finnegan, and California high school outfielder Derek Hill.</p>
<p>Last year's top pick for Detroit was Jonathon Crawford, a right-handed starting pitcher out of the University of Florida. Currently playing for Single-A West Michigan in the Midwest League, Crawford is 2-1 with a 2.27 ERA, owning a 44-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 47 2/3 innings.</p>
<p>The Tigers' second pick of 2013 already in the majors. <span>Corey Knebel</span> was chosen 39th overall as a supplemental selection. The pick was the first ever acquired via a trade, as part of the <span>Anibal Sanchez</span> deal.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2014/6/5/5783838/2014-mlb-amateur-draft-open-threadAl Beaton