Detroit Tigers: Recent Draft Picks Excelling in Minors

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Apr 8, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; General view during the national anthem prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Other Notable Draft Picks

Austin Sodders

After taking a couple of right-handed relievers, the Tigers changed course and drafted a left-handed starter in the seventh round.

Sodders has made 13 starts for the Connecticut Tigers, but has looked solid so far. In 39.1 innings, the UC Riverside product struck out 33 while walking just five batters. He also posted a minuscule 2.29 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. It certainly didn’t hurt that opposing hitters managed a .230 batting average against him.

Detroit has a plethora of young starters for the future, with Fulmer, Norris, Boyd, Manning, Funkhouser, Beau Burrows and Tyler Alexander. However, there could be an opportunity for Sodders in the rotation in Detroit, as the likes of Austin Kubitza and Jairo Labourt have recently transitioned to the bullpen.

Jacob Robson

The first position player taken by the Tigers in the draft, Robson has shown well so far.

A left fielder out of Mississippi State, the 21-year-old made it to Connecticut this season, playing 49 games between the affiliate and one of the Tigers’ Gulf Coast League teams.

In those 49 games, the left-handed batter put up a .294 batting average and a .795 OPS. He also collected 31 RBI, 30 runs scored, 15 stolen bases, 11 home runs, nine doubles, three triples and a home run. Additionally, Robson put up a .399 on-base percentage thanks to 31 walks and just 42 strikeouts.

The Tigers do have some intriguing outfield prospects in Christin Stewart, Michael Gerber and Jose Azocar, but if Robson can continue to display solid on-base production, he’ll get his chance.

Daniel Pinero

Just as with Robson, Pinero displayed solid on-base skills in his first professional season. A 6’5” shortstop, the 22-year-old was promoted to Connecticut in his first season. While there, he hit .271 with 29 walks, 26 runs scored, 22 RBI, eight doubles, two home runs, two stolen bases and a triple in 50 games.

Pinero’s start with Connecticut was particularly impressive, as he hit .333 with six RBI, six runs scored, five walks, two home runs and two doubles in just seven games.

Next: Erick Aybar's Impact in Detroit

With Iglesias, Dixon Machado and JaCoby Jones able to handle shortstop, Pinero doesn’t have the clearest path to the big leagues, but he’s an intriguing prospect all the same. If he continues to produce, he’ll get a look.

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