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Detroit Tigers: 5 Best Late Round Picks in Team History

ByAndy Patton|
NEW YORK - JULY 18: Outfielder Bobby Higginson #4 of the Detroit Tigers at bat during the game against the New York Yankees on July 18, 2002 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. TheYankees won 5-3. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JULY 18: Outfielder Bobby Higginson #4 of the Detroit Tigers at bat during the game against the New York Yankees on July 18, 2002 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. TheYankees won 5-3. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Detroit Tigers
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 13: A. J. Pierzynski #13 of the Chicago White Sox slides into second baseman Will Rhymes #28 of the Detroit Tigers as he turns a double play during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field on September 13, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images)

Will Rhymes

The Detroit Tigers selected second baseman Will Rhymes from the College of William and Mary in the 27th round of the 2005 MLB Draft. It was understandable that Rhymes lasted as long as he did, as he was only the fourth alumnus from the College of William and Mary to ever be drafted.

Rhymes debuted at short-season A-ball in 2005, where he hit a blistering .328 with 14 steals in 61 games. That earned him a promotion to West Michigan in 2006, where he only hit .261. However, he swiped 23 bases and hit 19 doubles.

Rhymes continued to hit well and show off excellent speed, hitting .291 with 29 steals in 2007 (between A+ and AA) and .307 with 17 steals in 2008 (AA and AAA).

Rhymes spent all of 2009 at Triple-A Toledo, hitting .260 with 26 extra base hits and 20 steals. 95 games into 2010, with a .305 average and 22 steals, Rhymes was finally promoted to the show.

Rhymes played 83 games with the Tigers between 2010-2011, slashing .283/.341/.370 with a 93 OPS+. His speed never made it to the big leagues, as he only stole one base for the Tigers in that time. He started 90 games at second base and 13 at third, while also DH’ing seven times.

Rhymes was by no means an outstanding player in the Motor City. However, 27th round picks rarely make the major leagues, (Alex Claudio and Ryan Cook are rare recent examples) and Rhymes was productive in his brief Tigers career. That is enough for him to crack this list among Detroit’s best late round picks.

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