Posted by Bill Zeltman on Jun. 7, 2010 at 12:16 AM
For the first time in quite some time the Detroit Tigers do not technically have a first round draft pick in the MLB Draft which will take place June 7th-9th. This is the price the Tigers must pay for signing Closer Jose Valverde. However given the departures of Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon via free agency the Tigers do have the 44th and 48th pick, which are sandwich picks between the first and second rounds.
While they have put a heavy scouting effort into this year's draft they still have an ace in the hole to play. Many teams back off high profile players in the draft given the large contracts it will take to get them signed. The Tigers have not been afraid to doll out large contracts to players selected via the draft, and a high profile prospect or two may fall to them.
Typically Tigers Manger Dave Dombrowski has used his high round draft picks to add quality arms to the organization. The Tigers are likely to sign at least one high school arm, and possibly too if signability concerns scares a few other clubs off.
Over the last few years Dombrowski has done a good job of landing Major League talent in the draft. With two of the top fifty picks he looks to do so again.
Related Links:
•Detroit Tigers news and notes
•The Business of Major League Baseball
•The History of Detroit Sports
•MTR Michigan.com
