Motor City Bengals
FanSided

Analyzing the last ten Detroit Tigers drafts

ByAndy 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)
6 of 8
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 8: James McCann #34 of the Detroit Tigers catches a foul pop up as he reaches out to make the catch in the fourth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 8: James McCann #34 of the Detroit Tigers catches a foul pop up as he reaches out to make the catch in the fourth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

The Tigers did not have a first round pick in 2011 draft, but they used their second round pick to draft catcher James McCann out of the University of Arkansas.

McCann made his big league debut in 2014 and became a regular in 2015. He had his strongest professional season in 2017, hitting .253 with a career-high 13 home runs, 49 RBI and a 92 OPS+.

Lauded mostly for his defense, McCann has gradually improved his offensive profile as well. He has split time behind the plate with both Alex Avila and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but will have a chance to be the primary catcher in 2018.

McCann, like Castellanos, looks to be a part of Detroit’s future for the next couple years. Detroit has two strong catching prospects in Grayson Greiner and Jake Rogers. Either could eventually unseat McCann behind the dish.

The rest of the 2011 draft has been underwhelming up to this point, with tenth round pick Curt Casali being the best big leaguer besides McCann. The Tigers traded Casali to the Rays in 2013. He has hit .199 in 161 big league games.

Home/Detroit Tigers News

Schedule