Former Detroit Tigers first round draft picks: Where are they now?

May 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Marlins starter Jacob Turner (33) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers have been one of the premiere teams in baseball for a few seasons now, appearing in the past three ALCS’ and capturing the 2102 AL Pennant. But as we all have tried to forget, the Tigers, for many years, were the laughing stock of baseball.

Why were they so bad for so long?

Well, it’s hard to build a team when you don’t have any money to spend and you can’t draft to save your life. Over the past decade, the Tigers have been among baseball’s worst at drafting. Many of theses players that were selected are no longer in the majors. But some are still kicking around, waiting for their second chance.

Sure, Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello, and Nick Castellanos have all been drafted by the Tigers and have found success but the rest of these guys haven’t had the greatest careers.

Some first rounders such as Kenny Baugh (2001) and Matthew Wheatland (2000) seem to have fallen off the earth as finding information about them was like trying to break into Fort Knox.

So let’s see what some of the Tigers past first rounders are up to…..

Scott Moore

Year drafted: 2002

Selected: 8th overall

-Selected over players such as Nick Swisher and Cole Hamels.

Moore never appeared in a game for Detroit as he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2005 for Kyle Farnsworth.

Mar 7, 2014; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Scott Moore (55) starts a double play attempt as second baseman Kolten Wong (16) covers first in spring training action at Tradition Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Since making his major league debut in 2006, Moore has played a total of 152 games, appearing for the Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, and the Houston Astros. The most games he has played in a season is 27 in 2012 while with Houston. Moore has not played in a major league game since 12′ and has been kicking around the minors the past few seasons. Since 2012, he has played in the Oakland Athetics, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals’ farm systems.
Moore is currently 30 years old and plays in the Cardinals farm system.

Kyle Sleeth

Year drafted: 2003

Selected: 3rd overall

-Selected over players such as Nick Markakis and John Danks

Kyle Sleeth was once touted as one of the game’s top prospects; Sleeth had an electrifying college career while playing for Wake Forest. Sleeth went undefeated in 2002, posting a 14-0 record and a 2.97 ERA; he was then named the top college baseball pitching prospect by Baseball America. Once he was drafted by the Tigers he never went higher than Double A in their farm system.

Plagued by injuries, Sleeth never appeared in an MLB game an retired in 2008. Sleeth, currently 32 years old, is considered to be one of the biggest busts of all time.

Cameron Maybin

 Year drafted: 2005

Selected: 10th overall

-Selected over players such as Andrew McCutchen, Jay Bruce, and Jacoby Ellsbury (ouch…)

Maybin was drafted right out of high school after winning the 2004 Baseball America Youth Player of the Year Award. Highly touted and expected to be selected within the top five picks, Maybin slipped to ten and the Tigers ate em’ up.

Jul 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Cameron Maybin (24) hits a ground rule double in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

He made his major league debut for Detroit in August 2007 at the age of 20. But was traded to the then Florida Marlins in a package deal for Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera. Maybin was the Marlin’s Opening Day center-fielder for the 2009 season, and following the 2012 season Maybin was traded to the San Diego Padres, where he really hasn’t done all that bad.

A career .248 batting average, as well as a speedster, Maybin stole 40 bases in 2011. He even signed a 5 year deal worth $25 million in 2012. But injuries have taken a toll on him these past couple season as he has only played a total of 76 games. And on July 23rd this season, Maybin was suspended for 25 games for violating MLB’s drug policy.

Ryan Perry 

Year drafted: 2008

Selected: 21st overall

-Selected over players such as Gerrit Cole, Lonnie Chissenhall, and Lance Lynn

At the end of 2008, Perry was the Tigers’ 2nd best prospect, only behind Rick Porcello.

February 15, 2013; Viera, FL, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Ryan Perry (45) throws during spring training at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Perry made the club’s Opening Day roster in 2009 and stayed with the club until the 2011 season when he was optioned to Toledo. And in December of 2011 he was traded to the Washington Nationals for Collin Balester.

Perry appeared in 7 games for Washington in 2012, posting a horrific 10.13 ERA.

He has yet to see major league action since…but is still kicking around in the Nat’s farm system.

Jacob Turner

Year drafted: 2009

Selected: 9th overall

Taken over players such as Shelby Miller and Mike Trout (yes, that Mike Trout)

It was just a couple seasons ago that Turner was one of the most praised prospects in all of baseball, being ranked as the 26th best prospect in all of baseball prior to the 2010 season. He seemed to be the real deal and even pitched well for the Tigers, posting a 1-2 record in 6 appearances with Detroit.

Jun 11, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jacob Turner (33) delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

But his time in the motor Ciy was cut short as he was traded to the Miami Marlins, along with Rob Brantly, for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante. He was immediately inserted into Miami’s starting rotation and during the rest of the 2012 season, Turner posted a 3.38 ERA in 42.2 innings of work.

Turner was recently DFA’d on August 5th by the Marlins after posting a 5.97 ERA and a 4-7 record in 20 appearances.

But there’s still hope for the youngster as he was picked up by the Chicago Cubs and added to their 25 man roster.

Quick fact, the Tigers have also passed on many great players in the past 15 years, including….

• Chase Utley
• Adam Wainwright
• David Wright
• Homer Bailey
• Ben Revere

But hey, it’s a dog eat dog world and the Tigers wear milk-bone underwear when it comes to draft day…