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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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 24: Jake Thompson #44 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on August 24, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 24: Jake Thompson #44 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on August 24, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Once again, the Tigers did not have a first round pick in the 2012 draft. They used their second-round pick to select right-hander Jake Thompson out of High School. Thompson was dominant in the low minors with the Tigers.

He was traded in 2014, along with 2013 draft pick Corey Knebel, to the Texas Rangers for Joakim Soria. Thompson was dealt roughly a year later in a blockbuster trade to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Cole Hamels.

Thompson finally made his big league debut with the Phillies in 2016, and has made 18 starts in the last two years. He owns a 4.26 ERA overall, but projects to be a part of Philadelphia’s rotation next season.

Meanwhile, Joakim Soria had a 3.29 ERA across 52 innings in the Motor City before he was shipped to Pittsburgh in exchange for outfielder JaCoby Jones.

Drew VerHagen was drafted in the fourth round in 2012 out of Vanderbilt. He has had minimal success in parts of four seasons with the Tigers, but figures to battle for a bullpen spot in Spring Training this year.

The rest of this draft was abysmal save for their 13th round pick, a second baseman from Florida State University named Devon Travis. Travis was famously traded to Toronto for Anthony Gose in a trade that did not pan out well for the Tigers at all.

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