The Detroit Tigers head into tomorrow’s MLB Draft with two picks in the top 35 and a chance to add some serious talent to an already impressive organization.
The team’s sitting pretty with the 24th overall pick and another selection at No. 34, giving them flexibility to address their biggest needs.
Right now, Detroit’s looking for a third baseman and some reliable bullpen arms. They could tackle those needs through the draft or wait for the trade deadline, but having options never hurts.
First Round Projection
Baseball America has the Tigers taking shortstop Kayson Cunningham with their first-round pick. The Texas high schooler ranks No. 14 in MLB Pipeline and represents the kind of upside Detroit loves.
There’s a catch, though.
Cunningham just committed to the Texas Longhorns, which complicates things. College commitments don’t kill draft chances, but they definitely make negotiations trickier. If Detroit takes him and convinces him to skip college, they’d land a premium prospect. If not, well, that’s money and a pick tied up in someone who won’t sign.
Second Round Target
At No. 34, Baseball America projects the Tigers will grab Alabama pitcher Riley Quick. The right-hander made the All-SEC second team after going 8-3 with 70 strikeouts in 62 innings this season.
Quick’s 3.92 ERA isn’t eye-popping, but he pitched in the SEC, which is about as tough as college baseball gets. Plus, the Tigers have shown they can develop pitching, so there’s reason to like the fit.
The way I see it, Detroit’s in a good spot here. They’ve got the organizational depth to take some swings on high-upside guys like Cunningham, even with the college commitment hanging over things.
The 2025 MLB Draft runs July 13-14 in Cumberland, Georgia. We’ll know soon enough whether these projections hold up or if the Tigers have other plans in mind.
