Detroit Tigers: 2016 Draft Picks to Watch in 2017

Austin Sodders
Age: 21
Position: Starting Pitcher
Round Drafted: Seventh

A seventh-round pick by Avila out UC Riverside, Austin Sodders made his professional debut with the Connecticut Tigers last season.

In 13 starts, spanning 39.1 frames, the left-hander turned in a sparkling 2.29 ERA.

While the starter didn’t overwhelm with his strikeout numbers—just 33, or 7.6 per nine innings—he was excellent in limiting walks and home runs.

Sodders allowed just 0.5 home runs and 1.1 walks per nine innings. If he can continue to post low numbers in those categories, he’ll find himself pitching for the Detroit Tigers before all is said and done.

Only Zach Muckenhirn allowed fewer walks per nine innings in the New York-Pennsylvania League.

Jacob Robson
Age: 22
Position: Outfielder
Round Drafted: Eighth

Similar to Sodders, Jacob Robson also suited up for Connecticut last season.

The outfielder started out with one of Detroit’s two Gulf Coast League affiliates, batting a respectable .267 with a .368 on-base percentage in 28 games.

Those contests also included 14 stolen bases, five RBI, four doubles and a pair of triples.

After finishing seventh in the Gulf Coast League in steals, despite reaching base only 43 times, Robson was promoted to Connecticut, where he showed off his ability to hit for average.

In 21 games with the minor league affiliate, the Windsor, Ontario product turned in a .329 batting average to go along with 14 runs scored, six RBI, five doubles, a home run, a triple and a stolen base.

While he struck out 42 times in 49 games, Robson helped to offset the number with a ton of walks—31 to be exact.

Able to play all three outfield positions, Jacob Robson should prove to be an intriguing prospect moving forward.