Detroit Tigers Draft High-School Infielder Izaac Pacheco

With the 39th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft the Detroit Tigers selected infielder Izaac Pacheco.

After taking pitchers Jackson Jobe and Ty Madden with their first two picks, the Detroit Tigers took their first position player at 39th overall in Izaac Pacheco, a left-handed hitting high-school infielder from Friendswood, Texas.

Who is Izaac Pacheco?

Pacheco has been a well-known player on the high-school circuit for a few years and he was a member of the 2019 17U National Team Development Program. Pacheco was a shortstop in high school, but given his frame (6’4, 225 lbs.) it is widely assumed he’ll move over to third base in pro ball. He is surprisingly athletic for his size, so he should be able to stick at the hot corner, though if he keeps growing he could move to first base or an outfield corner.

Izaac Pacheco Scouting Report

Strengths
Izaac Pacheco’s standout tool is his power. He earns plus-plus grades for his raw pop thanks to his strength, bat speed, loft, and tendency to swing for the fences. He has a pretty good idea of the strike zone and won’t expand too often. He also earns plus grades for his arm strength, and as mentioned above he is a solid athlete who should have the hands to stick in the infield. Some think he could eventually be a plus defender at third base.

Weaknesses

Pacheco swung and missed a lot on the Summer showcase circuit in 2020, and his hit tool remains a concern. He tries to hit for power and he can be beaten inside the zone, and he’s unlikely to be more than a 40- or 45-grade hitter. Pacheco is a fringy runner now and will likely slow down a step or two as he gets larger.

Irresponsible Izaac Pacheco Player Comp

As a left-handed Texas third baseman with big power and arm strength there’s a bit of a Joey Gallo feel here (Gallo plays in Texas but is from Nevada). Pacheco doesn’t have the otherworldy power of Gallo, but if he reaches the majors he could be the same sort of three-true-outcomes player.

Izaac Pacheco Draft Pick Analysis

Izaac Pacheco is Detroit’s second Texan in this draft, and also their second extremely risky draft pick. He has impressive upside and could potentially grow into a middle-of-the-order masher, but the Detroit Tigers don’t have a strong track record of developing hitters, and the hit tool is Pacheco’s biggest question mark.