Detroit Tigers: Recent Draft Picks Excelling in Minors

Detroit Tigers prospects such as starting pitchers Matt Manning and Kyle Funkhouser—not to mention relievers Mark Ecker and Bryan Garcia—have shown well so far in the minor leagues.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila inherited a farm system that was sapped of premium talent when he took over as the general manager.

Prospects like Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris, JaCoby Jones and Matt Boyd came over in deadline deals, but at that point in time, the system hadn’t exactly been the gold standard of producing Major League talent.

Things could be changing.

Equipped with a protected first-round pick, Avila was able to upgrade the Major League roster in free agency without missing out on the ability to add a blue-chip prospect.

Detroit would go on to select high school right-hander Matt Manning in the first round. While the team didn’t select in the second or third round due to the Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Upton singings, they did add some promising talent.

So far, that talent has hit the ground running in the minors this season.

Obviously, many of these prospects are years away from making an impact at the highest level. However, if they can continue to produce as they have, Detroit will be in excellent shape moving forward.

Here’s a look at how Manning and some of the other recent draftees are faring.