Detroit Tigers Draft Update: 5 players to consider at No.3

5. Walker Jenkins RHH/OF

Last but not least is the wildcard. The Detroit Tigers may have a new regime in the front office, but they are known for making some questionable draft decisions. They are no strangers to going off-script. Heck, when Spencer Torkelson was drafted at 1:1 in 2020, they announced him as a third baseman, knowing he had not played third at Arizona State.

There are many questionable draft decisions, but this one would be interesting. Going away from the collegiate ranks to grab a high school bat would be very Tigers-like. But if the Tigers truly do opt to get a little silly and go into the prep side, there's no reason to be upset about adding Walker Jenkins to the organization.

There are a couple of really high-level names at the top of the draft class, but for me, Walker Jenkins is the guy. He's top prep bat and is worth someone trying to bang the table for him in the Tigers' front office if Crews and Langford are off the board and the Tigers are set on a bat.

Jenkins, an outfielder from South Brunswick H.S. in North Carolina, is committed to North Carolina to play college ball, but it would be shocking to see him end up in Tar Heels blue. He's a 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame with a physical build and tons of strength.

He's also a swimmer, taking up the sport to help him stay in shape and get a better feel for his body's movement patterns, which is seldom discussed in the baseball community. In his larger and more physical frame, Jenkins really can show off athleticism and be an efficient mover in the box and the outfield.

He swings it from the left side with massive power upside with an excellent feel for the zone, showing an advanced box presence in the prep ranks. He's got a smooth stroke that will continue to play well moving up the ladder, with the potential to hit for power showing.

He's a centerfielder by trade now and could stay there due to his athleticism, but the physicality could outmatch that and push him to a corner spot, which is really not a bad thing. He will patrol the outfield at the next level and do a fine job.

A prep bat who swings it from the left side with a projectable body and good traits. He's been hitting well this spring in his high school season and is certainly someone to kick the tires on in this summer's draft at no.3 if the Tigers want to go off-script from the exciting college talent available.