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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Related: Daniel Cabrera is a Solid Pick at Number 62

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.

Related: Detroit Tigers: 2nd Round Pick Dillon Dingler Could be the Catcher of the Future

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.

Related: 2020 MLB Draft: Spencer Torkelson Has What the Detroit Tigers Lack

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

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!