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Detroit Tigers MLB Draft: Notable 18th-overall picks in last 10 years

By Ben Rosener

Apr 7, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; General view of Tiger outside Comerica Park prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; General view of Tiger outside Comerica Park prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 11, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) reacts after hitting the go-ahead grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 11, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) reacts after hitting the go-ahead grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Current Major League players

Corey Seager

Year drafted: 2012
Current team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Lifetime WAR: 11.3
Games played in Majors: 246

Corey Seager is the perfect example of how teams can still snag star players outside of the top few picks.

The shortstop burst onto the scene in 2015 with the Dodgers, batting .337 with a .986 OPS in 113 plate appearances for the club.

He followed that up with a stellar debut season in 2016, winning Rookie of the Year, All-Star and Silver Slugger honors. The shortstop also finished third in the voting for National League MVP.

All told, Seager hit .308 with a .877 OPS, 105 runs scored, 72 RBI, 54 walks, 40 doubles, 26 home runs, five triples and three stolen bases.

His WAR finished at a sparkling 7.5.

The 23-year-old is on pace for another strong season with a 2.3 WAR in 62 games this year.

Sonny Gray

Year drafted: 2011
Current team: Oakland Athletics
Lifetime WAR: 10.0
Innings pitched in Majors: 655.1

Injuries have limited Sonny Gray in the past few years, but there’s no denying that he’s a frontline, ace-caliber pitcher when he’s right.

The 2011 draftee posted a 2.88 ERA and a 3.36 FIP from 2013 to 2015, making the All-Star team and finishing third in the Cy Young voting in the last year of the stretch.

Gray struggled in 2016, as he only started 22 games due to injuries.

Still, he’s bouncing back in 2017, with 8.9 punch outs per nine innings—which is on track to be his highest number since 2013—as well a 3.15 xFIP in 47.1 frames of work.

Detroit Tigers fans and front office members alike will probably be thrilled if the team can take someone with Seager or Gray’s upside.

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