Detroit Tigers Draft Picks: Top First-Round Picks Since 2000

2. Rick Porcello, SP 2007

If Castellanos can continue to produce at a level similar to his current form, he’ll easily climb to number two on this list. However, for now, that spot belongs to Rick Porcello.

While he no longer suits up for Detroit, Porcello was a solid contributor for the Tigers for six years.

The right-handed starter spent only one season in the minors before making the leap to the Majors. He immediately made an impact with 14 wins, a 3.96 ERA and a 2.5 WAR.

It was a struggle at times for Porcello, who’s ERA was almost always above 4.00. From 2010 to 2013, the starter’s ERAs were 4.92, 4.75, 4.59 and 4.32.

Despite the relatively high ERA numbers, Porcello always came through with double-digit wins. The 2015 season in Boston marked the first time the former Tiger failed to notch at least 10 victories. Still, the 27-year-old already has 91 wins to his name.

Even though he pitches for the Red Sox, the Tigers are still reaping the benefits of the deal that sent Porcello to Boston.

Detroit acquired reliever Alex Wilson, prospect Gabe Speier and outfielder Yoenis Cespedes in the transaction.

Wilson has become an effective reliever for the Tigers, posting a 2.86 ERA in 82.2 innings pitched for Brad Ausmus’ team. Speier, as noted earlier, was flipped to Atlanta with Ian Krol for Maybin.

Lastly, there’s Cespedes, who produced at a high level for half a season before being shipped to the Mets for Michael Fulmer—perhaps the team’s ace of the future— and fellow pitcher Luis Cessa. Cessa and pitching prospect Chad Green were dealt to the Yankees this past offseason for another effective reliever with Wilson as a surname, Justin Wilson.