Detroit Tigers MLB Draft Preview: Infielders

The MLB Draft is coming up next Sunday as the Detroit Tigers are picking 11th overall. Chris gave a general overview including pitchers who stand out, but we want to provide some more analysis on who would be a good fit not only at 11 but beyond the first round in the infield. But, before we do, let’s take a look at who Detroit has drafted in the infield within the first 10 rounds since 2018.

Colt Keith is the only high-school bat to the major leagues, and is the first high-school infielder since Nick Castellanos came up through the system to be a regular in Detroit’s infield. The Tigers current infield situation as far infielders of the future seems to be wide open, and there are several players who may be able to make a quick impact at pick 11.

Cam Smith: 3B Florida State University

Age: 21 Height: 6’3. Bats: Right/Throws: Right 

There is a lot to like about Cam Smith. For one, he showed steady improvement from his freshman season at Florida State, where he was a Cape Cod League All-Star and won the Cape Cod McNeese Outstanding Pro Prospect award. This season, he cut his strikeout rate from 28.7% in 2023 to 15.2% in 2024.

Smith is also in a select group of players with an impressive batting stat line. According to Baseball America, he is among just seven players in college baseball who have a contact rate greater than or equal to 80%, a 90th percentile exit velocity greater than or equal to 108 mph, and a chase rate less than or equal to 23.2%. Smith also had the biggest increase in MPH to his 90th percentile exit velocity, jumping up from 106.5 in 2023 to 111.3 in 2024. His swing path is smooth, and he has shown the ability to barrel up the ball well. At 6’3″ and 220 pounds, he could stick at third base thanks to a strong arm and good footwork on defense.

However, if you’re wondering about the security of picking a third baseman in the first round, consider that in the past 10 years, Division I baseball has produced nine third basemen who have played in the major leagues. To me, Smith represents something the Tigers currently do not have in their minor league system: an athletic third baseman who can hit for average and power and play the position well.

Konnor Griffin: SS/OF Jackson Prep, Mississippi

Age: 18 Height: 6’4. Bats: Right/Throws: Right 

What do Colt Keith, Konnor Griffin, and Austin Riley have in common? All were the Mississippi Gatorade High School Player of the Year, which could be viewed as a good omen. Griffin is a five-tool prospect who can do it all. Baseball America has him graded 55 overall, with his run tool rated at 70. He is a tremendous athlete that has the long-term projection to play shortstop. Did I mention he also features a fastball in the mid 90s?

However, what makes him a high risk is his hit tool, as several reports suggest his current swing is too long. With his speed, Griffin does have the makeup to be a very good center fielder.  The right-handed hitting infield stands at 6’3, 215 lbs and is projected to be one of the first prep players off the board.

Bryce Rainer: SS Harvard-Westlake, California

Age: 19 Height: 6’3. Bats: Left/Throws: Right 

In some ways, Bryce Rainer’s path to pro ball is the opposite of Jackson Jobe’s. Both were talented two-way players in high school with a chance to go in the first few rounds on either side of the ball. Jobe’s pure arm talent eventually pushed him to the mound. But Rainer’s progress at the plate and in the field turned him into a no-doubt top-15 pick as a hitter.

Rainer shows a quick left-handed swing that generates consistent hard contact, and he projects for plus power down the road. He’s an above-average runner, and he’s a fluid defender with good hands and an easy plus arm. He’s already 19, which might turn of some clubs, but being slightly older might also lessen his chances of growing off shortstop. Even if he does outgrow the position, he has all the tools to be a terrific third baseman. And if for some reason things don’t work out with his bat, he can always head back to the mound, where he shows a mid-90s fastball and some feel for three secondary offerings.

Seaver King:  SS/OF Wake Forest

Age: 21 Height: 6’0. Bats: Right/Throws: Right 

He has the hands and footwork to play anywhere in the infield, but there are reports indicate King can also play the outfield. Scott Harris has stated he loves players who can play multiple positions and King, who has been graded with a 7o run tool, has proven himself with wooden bats with good barrel control through the zone. One aspect that stood out is that for his size, he has top-end exit velocity.

The one hang up about his hit tool is he tends to be too much of a free swinger. But you can see the difference in his setup from his days at Wingate to present, where he looks more balanced through the zone.

Kaelen Culpepper: SS Kansas State University

Age: 21 Height: 6’0. Bats: Right/Throws: Right 

Culpepper is projected to go later in the first round or possibly in the second round, but Chris and I both had a few words about Culpepper:

Chris: Kaelen Culpepper has been a plus performer in college and has a chance to be an above-average hitter, but he doesn’t show big in-game power and he’ll probably have to move to third base in pro ball. He could grow into a bit of a KeBryan Hayes profile, where he’s an excellent defender at the hot corner but doesn’t provide the sort of thump typically associated with the position.

What stands out to me on Culpepper is his defensive range at third and has good, level swing. Culpepper could be a good Comerica Park type in which he could put the ball in the alleys based on his hit tool.

Nike Kurtz: 1B Wake Forest

Age 21 Height: 6’5. Bats: Left/Throws: Left

Kurtz according to Baseball America, grades out with the best strike-zone judgement as his 30% walk rate led all Division I hitters.  He also possesses a well-above-average power tool with the ability to hit for average, a rare combo player. He also plays solid defense at first.  If he is there at 11, his 6’5 frame may be too hard to ignore.

2nd round or later infielders that could be a possible fit in Detroit:

Josh Kuroda-Grauer, SS, Rutgers: Grauer can hit, leading the Big Ten in hitting at a .428 clip. He doesn’t strike out much and is a plus defender who could see himself at second base at some point. He was named the 2023 Playoff MVP in the Cape Cod League after batting .444 in the playoffs. I really like his swing and he barrels up the ball well, hitting to all fields.

Cape League Scout Deck Spotlight:

Josh Kuroda-Grauer (@RutgersBaseball) has been sensational for the @BourneBraves in the postseason.

JKG ranks second among remaining players in postseason OPS (1.367), and has hit safely in every game. He has had multiple hits in all but one… pic.twitter.com/FVQr4yw13g

— Cape League (@OfficialCCBL) August 13, 2023

Kyle DeBarge, SS, Louisiana-Lafayette: He continues to rise on draft boards after a monster season with the Ragin’ Cajuns, hitting .371, with 21 home runs, 19 doubles, and 72 RBI. Another hit first profile that can hit for power and average and rates as an above-average defender. Extremely athletic with a great swing path.

Kyle DeBarge is one of the best mid-major prospects in this class and he’s blistered the ball to start Game 2 today.

Ambushed the first pitch he saw in the first for a 109 MPH 2B, followed up by a 101 MPH HR in the third. Extremely quick hands, more power to pull-side this year. pic.twitter.com/Bru2j6q0W0

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) April 20, 2024

Billy Amick, 3B, University of Tennessee: Amick’s swing is built for power and can play both first and third. The right-handed Amick transferred from Clemson to Tennessee, where he was one of the main cogs on a Volunteers team that won the College World Series.

Jalin Flores, SS, Texas: (draft eligible sophomore)

Ty Southisene, SS, Basic, Nevada: