Our MLB Draft preview series continues on as we turn our focus on pitchers. If you have not checked out our other articles, here are the links.
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The time-honored cliché of “you can never have enough pitching” is true, and more so for Detroit, heading into the draft. Last season, the Tigers used 10 picks on pitching, five were prep arms and the other five were college arms.
Of the arms the Tigers drafted in 2023, right-hander Jaden Hamm, drafted in the 5th round out of Middle Tennessee State, has been the headliner. He just cracked Baseball America’s Top 100 list at number 90 and comes in at number 10 on our Top 30 prospect list. So far this season, Hamm has racked up 91 strikeouts in 71 innings of work while posting a 2.54 ERA.
Over the last few years, the Tigers have been able to develop pitching throughout their minor league system. With that in mind, whoever they draft, Detroit will utilize their skill set best. They could see something already in a player they have in mind and may want to make a few mechanical tweaks. One example that comes to mind is Ty Madden, who changed his delivery mechanics once he was in the system.
Let’s look at the arms in the 2024 draft class and what would be good fits for the Tigers on day one and two of the draft.
Prep Arms:
LHP Cam Caminiti: Saguaro High School, Arizona.
There are several mock drafts who have Caminiti going to Detroit at 11, most notably, Kevin Law of the Athletic as there has been several Tigers scouts on hand to see him pitch. The Tigers have scouted Arizona pretty heavy, and it shows in their recent drafts. Beau Brieske,(Glendale Community College), Wilmer Flores (unsigned, Arizona Western College) and Tarik Skubal (went to Kingman Academy High School in Arizona) who the Tigers scouted him when he was still very raw.
With that history in the background, regardless, there are reasons why Detroit could take Caminiti at 11. His fastball can touch up to 98 MPH, sit at 93-95, with two plus pitches in his slider and curve and throws a change, all at the age of 17. (He turns 18 in August)
In his senior season, he struck out 119 in 52 innings of work and during a showcase game in front of a crowd loaded with scouts, he struck out 16 in a row. Detroit is not afraid to go prep, and if they see something with Caminiti similarly like they saw with Jackson Jobe and most recently Paul Wilson, who they slotted extra money for when they took him in the 3rd last season, then Caminiti will be selected at 11 if he’s there.
RHP Joey Oakie: Ankeny Centennial, IA
Oakie, who stands at 6’2’m 195, has a sweeper that spins at 3,000 RPM. The Tigers have been able to weaponize pitchers like Oakie effectively. Most scouting reports have indicated that he has the potential to have a plus slider and his mechanics are repeatable. Combine that with a fastball that sits 93-95 and has touched 99,he can change eye levels quick. An ideal choice in the 2nd or 3rd round.
RHP Chris Levonas: Christian Brothers High School, NJ
Levonas, who is committed to Wake Forest, throws a fastball and slider graded at 60. He has a smaller frame with room to grow, but the reports spoke about his inconsistent command, but there is enough to work with there for a team like Detroit to work with. His fastball has touched 97 and sits anywhere from 91-96.
LHP/OF Noah Franco: IMG Academy
Standing at 6’3, 205, Franco can hit with power and pitch effectively with a plus arm not only as a pitcher but as an outfielder. Franco throws a slider, fastball, and a change. With his athleticism, there is a lot of upside to work with here.
Other notable names we like
RHP Lazaro Collera: Westminster Christian, FL
RHP Smith Bailey: Mountain Ridge, AZ
LHP Ethan Schiefelbein:Corona,CA
College Arms
LHP Jonathan Santucci: Duke
Santucci, by many scouting reports, has a chance to stick at the major league level. He throws three pitches effectively, a fastball, slider, and a change with good, fading action. The slider has some major depth to it, but there are two issues here. One, he has some control issues and two, he had a rib injury towards the end of the season. Similar to Franco, he was a two-way player before focusing on pitching.
RHP Dennis Colleran: Northeastern
Colleran, who stands at 6’3”, 225 is a bullpen arm that throws 96-100 MPH, touching 99 during the MLB Draft combine. The Tigers, who have scouted the northeastern part of the country well, and it shows in draft picks like Luke Gold, Jason Foley, and Tyler Mattison. He also throws a power slider and a split-change.
According to MLB Pipeline, with some proper instruction, his delivery adjustments would allow for better command. His current delivery appears he short arms it home. Detroit could use a few relievers to fly through the system, and Colleran may have the swing and miss stuff to do that.
RHP Bryce Cunningham: Vanderbilt
As Cunningham’s command improved in the spring, so did his stock. He throws a mid 90’s fastball with a slider and a nasty changeup that has swing and miss action. There is upside here for a 2nd or 3rd starter type and pitching in one of toughest conferences in the country, the SEC, helps his cause. If Bryce is there in either 3rd or 4th round, Detroit should consider it.
Other notable names we like:
Chris Brown
Different subject I know, but I’m wondering why isn’t Andrew Navigato ever on any top 30 prospect lists or considered as a potential Tiger? His stats in AAA seem pretty impressive. Why not at least give him a shot over players like Baez, McKinstry, Kriedler? Doesn’t seem much worse (at a minimum)
Great question, Dan, and to be honest, I am not sure. He is having a good season, even on the advanced numbers metrics. He can hold his own on defense too.