Detroit Tigers: Connections to the 2018 NCAA Tournament

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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 5: John Hicks #55 of the Detroit Tigers breaks his bat hitting an RBI-single against the Kansas City Royals that drove in Mikie Mahtook of the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning at Comerica Park on September 5, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Royals 13-2. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

46 Detroit Tigers will watch their alma mater compete in this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which starts Tuesday night in Dayton.

When the brackets were unveiled Sunday evening, 46 members of the Detroit Tigers organization found out where their alma maters will be playing when the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament begins this week.

Of the 68 teams in this year’s field, 25 are represented throughout the various levels of the Tigers organization. Yesterday, staff writer Andy Patton broke down the 25-man roster and who has a team they will be watching in the tournament.

Today, we breakdown the entire organization, and who among them will have something to root for (other than their bracket) this March.

DETROIT, MI – MAY 20: Catcher James McCann #34 of the Detroit Tigers makes the catch on a foul ball hit by Joey Gallo of the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning at Comerica Park on May 20, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

South Region

1. Virginia: Three Detroit Tigers will be rooting for the tournament’s number one overall seed. As Andy Patton noted earlier, catcher John Hicks is almost certain to make the Opening Day roster and righty Artie Lewicki could be up with Detroit again at some point in 2018.

The last of the trio is Danny Pinero, who was a ninth round pick in 2016. The 23-year old Canadian-born infielder hit .289 in 120 games with Class A West Michigan last year.

3. Tennessee: Like Virginia, there are three Tigers who played collegiately at Tennessee, led by former first round pick Christin Stewart. Stewart, Will Maddox, and A.J. Simcox played together for the Vols in 2013, and each played at least part of 2017 at Double-A Erie.

6. Miami (FL): After helping the Hurricanes reach back-to-back College World Series, Bryan Garcia was a sixth round pick of the Tigers in 2016. In his first full minor league season last year, the righty reached Triple-A Toledo. His progress will be slowed in 2018 however, after finding out last month he needed to have Tommy John surgery.

7. Nevada: A corner infielder, Jordan Pearce was a 21st round pick last year out of Nevada. Pearce hit .266 in 57 games across three levels last summer.

8. Creighton: Three former Bluejays are in the Detroit Tigers farm system, led by outfielder Mike Gerber. Gerber is hitting .316 this spring as he tries to crack the majors for the first time. Righty Kurt Spomer is another who could be with Detroit at some point, logging time at Triple-A in each of the last four years.

Rounding out the trio is outfielder Danny Woodrow, who hit .271 in 116 games for Class A West Michigan in 2017.

10. Texas: After spending 2017 in indy ball and Mexico, veteran lefty James Russell signed with the Tigers in the offseason to add depth. The other former Longhorn in the organization is new manager Ron Gardenhire.

East Region

4. Wichita State: A pair of former Shockers right-handers are currently in the minors with the Tigers. A.J. Ladwig started games at three different levels in 2017, including a pair of outings with Triple-A Toledo. John Hayes made 17 relief appearances with Short-Season Connecticut a year ago, and owns a 3.04 ERA in 47.1 professional innings.

6. Florida: The lone former Gator in the system is last year’s first round pick, righty Alex Faedo. Faedo has yet to throw a pitch for a Detroit Tigers affiliate, but already ranks as one of the top prospects in a rapidly improving farm system.

7. Arkansas: Joining big league backstop James McCann among former Razorbacks is Dominic Ficociello. Primarily a first baseman, Ficociello hit well enough with Double-A Erie last year to earn his first promotion to Triple-A Toledo, and an invite to big league camp this spring.

9. Alabama: Representing the Crimson Tide is former second round pick Spencer Turnbull. The righty had a tough time in his first stint at Double-A last year, making 2018 an important year in his development.

11a. St. Bonaventure: Shortstop Cole Peterson will be one of the first to see his team in action as his Bonnies play in the First Four Tuesday night in Dayton. A 13th round pick in 2017, Peterson hit .246 with Short-Season Connecticut in his debut campaign.

11b. UCLA: Shane Zeile, nephew of former big leaguer Todd Zeile, is Detroit’s lone former Bruin. UCLA is St. Bonaventure’s opponent in the First Four, making Zeile and Peterson the first two to have their alma maters go head-to-head. Zeile is a catcher that has been in the system for four years, climbing as high as Class A West Michigan.

13. Marshall: Righty Burris Warner is a former 22nd round pick who owns a 3.88 ERA in his first two minor league seasons. Fellow right-hander Brandyn Sittinger started his college career at Marshall before transferring to Ashland University in Ohio. Sittinger has an era of 1.94 in 51.0 pro innings.

14. Stephen F. Austin: A 12th round pick last year, Will Vest got his pro career off to a great start last summer. The right-hander posted a 2.83 ERA and struck out 28 in 28.2 innings.

DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 22: Alex Wilson #30 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Comerica Park on September 22, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Midwest Region

3. Michigan State: The Detroit Tigers boast two former Spartans on their organizational depth chart. Outfielder Cam Gibson, the son of former Tiger and current broadcaster Kirk Gibson, hit a combined .262 with 13 homers across two levels last year. Blaise Salter had a good 2017 at the plate as well, hitting .304 and driving in 75 runs.

5. Clemson: A second round pick of the Rangers in 2011, southpaw Will Lamb is a minor league veteran looking to reach the majors for the first time. Righty Clate Schmidt was drafted three times, including twice by the Tigers, before signing. Since joining Detroit in 2016, Schmidt has a 4.69 ERA.

6. TCU: Detroit has four former Horned Frogs in the system, including a pair of former second round picks. Entering his 11th pro season, outfielder Chad Huffman signed as a minor league free agent and was a non-roster invitee to spring camp. Southpaw Tyler Alexander was a second round pick in 2015 and spent all of last year at Double-A Erie.

A ninth round pick and teammate of Alexander’s at TCU, Trey Teakell hasn’t pitched since 2015 due to injuries. Born in Australia, Cam Warner played at four different levels of the organization after he was a 28th round pick last year.

16. Penn: Right-hander Billy Lescher was taken in the 17th round of last year’s draft, then proceeded to post a 2.66 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 22.0 innings last summer.

West Region

3. Michigan: Four former Wolverines are in the Detroit Tigers organization, including three left-handers. Trent Szkutnik had the best 2017, posting a 2.72 ERA in 89.1 innings for Class A West Michigan. Evan Hill had a solid year with the Whitecaps too, striking out 36 in 27.2 relief innings.

Grant Reuss was a 29th round pick last year, but really struggled in his first professional stint. Infielder Jake Bivens was a 27th round pick a year ago, and hit .267 with four steals in 24 games in the Gulf Coast League.

4. Gonzaga: The lone Zag in the system is lefty Ryan Carpenter, who is fighting for a spot in the rotation this spring.

5. Ohio State: Acquired in the Ian Kinsler trade, outfielder Troy Montgomery is entering his first season with Detroit. The former Buckeye has hit .279 with double-digit steals in each of his first two minor league campaigns.

6. Houston: A 12th round pick in 2015, Kyle Dowdy has made 38 starts in his two minor league seasons. The righty owns a combined 3.39 ERA in 241.2 innings and should reach Double-A this year.

7. Texas A&M: Led by big leaguer Alex Wilson, Detroit has three former Aggies in the system, all right-handed pitchers. Grayson Long was picked up in the Justin Upton deal, making just one appearance at Double-A Erie before the season ended.

Mark Ecker was a fifth round pick in 2016 and owns a 2.42 ERA through two minor league seasons. The 22-year old then added four scoreless outings in the Arizona Fall League.

Next: March Madness impacts many current Tigers

8. Missouri: Infielder Josh Lester split time between West Michigan and Lakeland last year, hitting .271 with 13 homers and and 66 RBI.

9. Florida State: A 32nd round pick last year, Drew Carlton was dominant in his first pro season. The righty posted a 1.08 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 25.0 innings across three levels.

12. South Dakota State: After pitching in indy ball the last two years, veteran Caleb Thielbar signed with Detroit in the offseason to provide some left-handed depth. Thielbar sported a 2.74 ERA in 98.2 relief innings for the Twins from 2013-15.

Tigers fans, let us know: which team(s) are you rooting for this March, and why? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

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