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

Detroit Tigers fans will see the team take a player in the first round on Monday night during the MLB Draft. The Tigers’ first pick comes at 18^th overall. Here’s a look at players previously taken 18^th.

Detroit Tigers first-round picks this century have generally helped the team in one way or another.

There’s the likes of Justin Verlander (2004), Rick Porcello (2007) and Nicholas Castellanos (2010) who developed into key performers for the franchise.

Meanwhile, some first-round picks were used to make key trades.

Cameron Maybin (2005) and Andrew Miller (2006) were both flipped to Florida in the Miguel Cabrera deal. Meanwhile, Jacob Turner (2009) and Chance Ruffin (2010) were moved in trades for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante, as well as Doug Fister.

This year’s first-round pick is more likely to fall into the latter category.

It obviously isn’t a guarantee that any player the Tigers select will develop into a star, or even an impact player, but there’s plenty of potential to be found in the first round.

Additionally, the Detroit Tigers are building the organization with an eye on the future, so it’s unlikely any first-rounder would be traded before he reaches the big leagues.

Some of the players selected 18^th overall in the last 10 years have turned out just fine.

Here’s a look.

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.