Detroit Tigers: Dan Hasty Ranks the 2020 MLB Draft Class

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Dan Hasty, the Radio Voice of the Tigers Class-A affiliate West Michigan Whitecaps, now serves as a contributor here at Motor City Bengals. Find Dan on Twitter @ThatDanHasty. Today, Dan ranks the 2020 Detroit Tigers’ Draftees.

In what feels like a unanimous vote, the Detroit Tigers have received glowing reviews for their 2020 MLB Draft class. It bears mentioning that after this draft, any player ranked on this list is a significant accomplishment. At this point, most within Detroit’s Top 30 would almost certainly be ranked higher for most other big-league organizations. MLB Pipeline rating the Tigers as the 5th best farm system in baseball – before adding Spencer Torkelson – validates that idea. While their rebuild isn’t anywhere near complete, the Tigers took significant steps forward last week.

I can’t remember a Tigers draft with a better blend of immediate impact and high-upside prospects. Of course, time will tell how good the class truly is, and the focus shifts to the Tigers Player Development staff, who need to ensure they get the most out of a talented group of players. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I can easily envision every Tigers 2020 draftee ranked inside the club’s Top 30 prospects regardless of publication. Follow the links to find our projections as to where the newest Tigers draftees will be ranked among their fellow prospects.

LAKELAND, FL – FEBRUARY 14: Detroit Tigers Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Al Avila looks on during Spring Training workouts at the TigerTown Complex on February 14, 2019 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

5. 3B/P Colt Keith, Biloxi HS

Rank Among Tigers 2020 Draftees: #3

Projected Tigers Prospect Ranking: #16

Keith, who most figured would attend Arizona State, was drafted by the Tigers in a final-round coup to inject a fantastic hitter at an extremely young age into their system. In past years, Keith would immediately become a Top-10 prospect. This year, the two-way talent slots in #16 and indicates improved depth in a farm system that badly needed high-upside ability beyond their top-tier of prospects. If any pundits had yet to be impressed by the Tigers’ draft, the selection of Keith turned the final few into believers. The former Gatorade Player of the Year in Mississippi will need fans’ patience to develop, but his upside could make him worth the wait.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN- AUGUST 24: Gage Workman #8 of the USA Baseball 18U National Team during the national team trials on August 24, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images) /

4. 3B Gage Workman, Arizona State

Rank Among Tigers 2020 Draftees: #4

Projected Tigers Prospect Ranking: #19

Workman, like Torkelson, had early success playing collegiately at Arizona State. Shortly after turning 19 years old, the sophomore posted a .330 batting average in 57 games with the Sun Devils, playing plus-defense and gathering buzz as a potential first-round pick. Workman gives Torkelson a roommate for future minor league road trips, and a player talented enough to join him in the big leagues for years to come. It says a lot that a player with Workman’s degree of skill is the fourth-highest ranked player among new draftees and should give Tigers fans plenty of excitement.

(Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

3. IF Trei Cruz, Rice

Rank Among Tigers 2020 Draftees: #6

Projected Tigers Prospect Ranking: #23

Cruz, by all accounts, has the work ethic to maximize his talent. Thanks to a grandfather who played nearly two decades in Major League Baseball and a father who played more than a decade, the Cruz family’s third generation is fully equipped to hit the ground running. A jack-of-all-trades switch-hitter who plays multiple positions is the definition of value. Considering his familiarity with the game, I can’t wait to see how he looks in the professional ranks.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 06: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates scoring a run in the third inning with Travis Demeritte #50 while playing the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park on August 06, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2b. OF Daniel Cabrera, Louisiana State

Rank Among Tigers 2020 Draftees: #3

Projected Tigers Prospect Ranking: #12

During the draft, I remember thinking that I would be perfectly happy if the Tigers had taken ‘Daniel Tiger’ at pick #38. Instead, the club opted for Ohio State catcher Dillon Dingler. In a rare bit of good fortune, Cabrera dropped to Detroit’s next pick at #62. Had they taken Cabrera at #38, I’m almost certain Dingler would’ve heard his name before the Tigers’ next pick. To get both is wildly exciting, and as you’ll see, should put a trio of new faces within the Tigers Top 15 prospect ranks.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – JUNE 06: Catcher’s glove is seen at Kiwoom Heroes dugout ahead of the KBO League game between LG Twins and Kiwoom Heroes at the Gocheok Sky Dome on June 06, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) /

2. C Dillon Dingler, Ohio State

Rank Among Tigers 2020 Draftees: #2

Projected Tigers Prospect Ranking: #7

I thought there was no possible way to find a player with a better name than Torkelson’s, but (don’t say it … don’t say it …) DINGLER DINGERS ARE COMING TO A BALLPARK NEAR YOU!

A high-level catcher is vital when handling a pitching staff, and Dingler called games on his own behind the plate with the trust of Ohio State head coach Greg Beals. That ability should translate to help handle Detroit’s talented pitching prospects. What stands out most about the soon-to-be 22-year old is his athleticism. With a timed 6.6 60-yard dash in college and a freshman year playing in center field, Dingler has all the makings of a diverse Major League skillset. There’s a real chance his career looks like the one of former Tiger Brandon Inge.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MARCH 25: A general view of Comerica Park where the Detroit Tigers were scheduled to open the season on March 30th against the Kansas City Royals on March 25, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. Major League Baseball has delayed the season after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic on March 11th. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

1. 3B Spencer Torkelson, Arizona State

Rank Among Tigers 2020 Draftees: #1

Projected MLB Overall Rank: #19

Projected Tigers Prospect Ranking: #2/3

Ah, yes. Based on how well the Tigers executed the rest of their draft, I’m more convinced they took the right player in the top spot – even with the hopes of moving him to a different position. As it pertains to his future ranking within the system, it’s easy to see him slotted alongside consensus #2 prospect Matt Manning. Torkelson’s personality could make him the face of the Tigers franchise for years to come, and that alone is a reason to celebrate.

Enjoy an updated look at the Tigers Top 30 in the next slide.

LAKELAND, FL – MARCH 04: Casey Mize #74 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the Spring Training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 4, 2019 in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Cardinals 9-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB photos via Getty Images) /

Projected Consensus Tigers Top 30 Rankings (with 2020 draftees):

1. Casey Mize

2. Spencer Torkelson

3. Matt Manning

4. Tarik Skubal

5. Riley Greene

6. Isaac Paredes

7. Dillon Dingler

8. Willi Castro

9. Alex Faedo

10. Franklin Perez

11. Daz Cameron

12. Daniel Cabrera

13. Joey Wentz

14. Bryan Garcia

15. Jake Rogers

16. Colt Keith

17. Bryant Packard

18. Parker Meadows

19. Gage Workman

20. Nick Quintana

21. Wenceel Perez

22. Kody Clemens

23. Trei Cruz

24. Zack Hess

25. Jose De La Cruz

26. Adinso Reyes

27. Roberto Campos

28. Beau Burrows

29. Anthony Castro

30. Elvin Rodriguez

Next Up: Alex Lange, Wilkel Hernandez, Andre Lipcius, Paul Richan, Derek Hill

LAKELAND, FL – FEBRUARY 18: Detroit Tigers Vice President and Assistant General Manager Al Avila watches the action during Spring Training Workout on February 18, 2011 at Tiger Town in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Summary: For a club that has developed fewer hitters than their counterparts, I liked that the Tigers made it a point to draft highly-regarded hitters. It’s impossible to tap into a players’ power if they can’t square up pitches consistently. As we look at the Top 30, and with the addition of Torkelson, you’d be hard-pressed to find an MLB team with five prospects as highly valued than the core group of Mize, Manning, Torkelson, Skubal, and Greene. The rebuild is still ongoing, but the Tigers draft haul of 2020 may go down as a year Detroit added several significant pieces.

How do you think the prospect rankings will look? Leave a comment below and find Dan on Twitter at @ThatDanHasty!

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Detroit Tigers: Ranking the 2020 MLB Draft Class

Dan Hasty, the Radio Voice of the Tigers Class-A affiliate West Michigan Whitecaps, now serves as a contributor here at Motor City Bengals. Find Dan on Twitter @ThatDanHasty. Today, Dan ranks the 2020 Detroit Tigers’ Draftees.

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