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Analyzing the last ten Detroit Tigers drafts

By Andy Patton

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 04: Rick Porcello #48 of the Detroit Tigers pitches in the second inning of Game Four of the American League Divison Series against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park on October 4, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. The Yankees defeated the Tigers 10-1. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 04: Rick Porcello #48 of the Detroit Tigers pitches in the second inning of Game Four of the American League Divison Series against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park on October 4, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. The Yankees defeated the Tigers 10-1. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 30: Nick Castellanos #9 celebrates scoring a run with Jose Iglesias #1 of the Detroit Tigers on a Rajai Davis #20 (not pictured) triple in the fourth inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 30, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 30: Nick Castellanos #9 celebrates scoring a run with Jose Iglesias #1 of the Detroit Tigers on a Rajai Davis #20 (not pictured) triple in the fourth inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 30, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Tigers are in rebuilding mode, and with that comes an increased focus on the draft. Let’s take a look at Detroit’s draft successes (and failures) from the last ten years.

The Detroit Tigers have one surefire way to ensure that this rebuild goes well: draft well. the Houston Astros won the World Series last year after languishing in the cellar for many years. The primary reason they were able to escape was using high draft picks on players like Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, Marwin Gonzalez and Dallas Keuchel. They made mistakes as well, taking Mark Appel and Brady Aiken, neither of whom has panned out.

The Tigers have made, and will make, their fair share of mistakes in the draft. However, if they are able to use the next few years to acquire high quality talent in the early rounds of the draft, their ascension back to the top of the AL Central and into the World Series will be quick.

With the exception of Justin Verlander, who was taken second overall in 2004, the Tigers have not had a ton of success this century in the draft. It is too early to tell on some of their recent selections, although early returns on Beau Burrows, Alex Faedo and Matt Manning are very positive.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the last ten MLB drafts for the Tigers:

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