Detroit Tigers 2022 MLB Draft Recap: Rounds 8-15

Detroit Tigers 2022 MLB Draft, 10th Round – Trevin Michael, RHP, Oklahoma

One of the older players available in the draft this year (turns 25 in September), Trevin Michael took a winding path to pro ball. He graduated from Piedmont High School outside of Oklahoma City, then spent two seasons at Northern Oklahoma College before moving on to Lamar University in Texas. He made 16 starts for Lamar over two seasons, going 8-4 with a 3.05 ERA. He then came to Oklahoma as a graduate transfer and moved into the closer role, where he showcased some plus stuff and earned 10 saves.

Detroit Tigers 2022 MLB Draft, 11th Round – Joe Miller, LHP, Penn

Destined to be confused with 8th rounder Jake Miller for at least a few years, Joe Miller is another southpaw from the northeast. This Miller is a bit shorter and sturdier than Jake, and he spent four years as a starting pitcher in the Ivy League, posting a cumulative 10-8 record with a 4.49 ERA, 160 strikeouts, and 82 walks in 132.1 innings. Miller isn’t written up at MLB Pipeline or Baseball America, but fortunately our friends at Prospects Live have video and a scouting report from his time in the Cape Cod League this summer:

Miller, who throws from a ¾ slot, set up batters with the fastball but put them away with the breaking balls (5 K’s on them). The curveball and slider show similar shapes, but he takes some velocity off of his curve and generates more downward movement. Both of the offerings caused hitters to swing and miss. In the third inning, his command faltered, leading to his troubles. On top of that, hitters seemed to see him better the second time through the order. After allowing no hard contact in the first couple of frames, hitters tagged him for a couple of sharp hits.

Detroit Tigers 2022 MLB Draft, 12th Round – Cole Stupp, RHP, Kentucky

A product of the same Georgia high school that produced, Dylan Cease, Kyle Farnsworth, and Dexter Fowler, Cole Stupp is a sturdy right-hander with a low-90s sinker and decent secondary offereings. He became the Wildcats’ Friday-night starter last year, compiling a 4.76 ERA over 13 starts, and he returned to that role this year. He posted a 6.31 ERA over six starts before he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his right elbow.

Detroit Tigers 2022 MLB Draft, 13th Round – Dom Johnson, OF, Kansas State

Just the second position player taken in Detroit’s last eight picks, Dom Johnson is another speedy, undersized outfielder. From the same high school as former Tigers minor-leaguer Kody Kaiser and Oklahoma State Quarterback Brandon Weeden, Johnson began his college career in Stillwater, but transferred to Kansas State this year.

A draft-eligible sophomore, Johnson served as the Wildcats’ leadoff man and led the team in batting average (.345), stolen bases (12), and doubles (20), while finishing second in home runs (12). He was ranked the 239th best prospect in the draft to MLB Pipeline, number 272 to Baseball America, and number 396 to Prospects Live:

Johnson enjoyed a nice breakout season with Kansas State after a very healthy campaign on the Cape with Hyannis in 2021. He’s a slashy hitter with an all-fields approach and sneaky thump for a guy his size. Despite being just 5-foot-9, Johnson can put it over the fence, most of his power coming pull-side. He’s an average runner with a below average arm, likely best suited for left field.

Detroit Tigers 2022 MLB Draft, 14th Round – Joe Adametz, LHP, Liberty

A three-year starter for Liberty University, Joe Adametz is a lanky lefty (6’5, 190) who lost most of his 2021 season to Tommy John surgery. He bounded back impressively this season, posting a 2.51 ERA with 84 strikeouts and 24 walks over 86 innings. He sits around 90-92 with his sinker and also throws a slider and changeup in the low 80s, with his changeup flashing some potential.

Detroit Tigers 2022 MLB Draft, 15th Round – Patrick Pridgen, RHP, Florida Int.

Patrick Pridgen’s path to pro ball was even more circuitous than Trevin Martin’s. He grew up in Minnesota, then spent three seasons at Northern Iowa Community College. He transferred to Oregon for the 2021 season, but never pitched for the Ducks before transferring to FIU for the 2022 season. He made 14 starts for the Panthers, flashing some impressive stuff while posting a 4.77 ERA and racking up 112 strikeouts in just 71.2 innings. He was ranked the 312th best prospect in the draft to Baseball America, and Prospects Live had him at number 266:

The fastball has solid sink with run and sits in the 92-94 range up to 96 at his very best. Curveball and slider are both high-spin offerings and weapons when command is there. That can come and go. Tumbling changeup gives him a fourth option is he’s struggling with spin. Pridgen should be a popular upperclassmen in the 2022 class with athleticism and starter traits.

That concludes our look at this group of draft picks. Check back soon to read about picks 16-20.