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What should the Detroit Tigers expect from the No. 1 pick?

By Rob Low

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 03: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros hits a home run in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on May 3, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 03: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros hits a home run in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on May 3, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 17: Number one overall draft pick Royce Lewis speaks at a press conference on June 17, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 17: Number one overall draft pick Royce Lewis speaks at a press conference on June 17, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2017: Royce Lewis (Minnesota)

Last year, Minnesota went back to the high school ranks and selected shortstop Royce Lewis. Like Moniak, Lewis was eager to start playing right away, and signed quickly.

Just a few weeks after signing, Lewis debuted for the GCL Twins. In 36 games, Lewis hit .271, walked more than he struck out, scored 38 runs, and stole 15 bases in 17 tries. He ended the season by hitting .296 in 18 games for Class A Cedar Rapids.

Lewis’ start to 2018 has been even better. His current .373 average has him in the top 20 in all of Minor League Baseball. He’s continued to steal bases at a high rate, with 10 steals in 11 tries. Three of those 10 steals came in a pair of games against Detroit Tigers affiliate West Michigan last week.

At the beginning of the year, Lewis was rated the 24th overall prospect by Baseball America. He has done nothing but raise his stock in the season’s first month, and could soon be looking at a promotion to High-A.

The Verdict

As was the case with Moniak, it is too early to tell what the future holds for Lewis, who will turn 19 next month. The early returns, however, are very good and Twins fans should be excited to watch him develop.

Next: Tigers Should be Open to Trading Fulmer

What it Means for the Detroit Tigers

What did we learn? The number one overall pick has been at least a productive player in more cases than not in recent years. However, there is still the potential for big whiffs like Houston had with Mark Appel and Brady Aiken. The one thing we know for sure, is the Detroit Tigers need to get this right, or it can really stall a rebuild.

It also tells us the Detroit Tigers can’t solely rely on the draft to rebuild. The Astros may have missed on two of their three top picks, but were able to go outside their organization to supplement their own system. Whether that’s dealing from a position of depth for a position of strength, or finding diamonds in the rough, like J.D. Martinez, the Detroit Tigers need to exhaust all possible avenues to get this team back to being a perennial contender.

With the MLB Draft now less than a month away, make sure to stay tuned to Motor City Bengals for all your Detroit Tigers draft coverage.

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