The Detroit Tigers entered the 2020 MLB draft seeking two types of power: pitchers and hitters. Sixth-year general manager Al Avila started by selecting Arizona State third baseman Spencer Torkelson with the No. 1 overall pick.
The second choice, according to some draft experts, would've been Texas A&M left-hander Asa Lacy, who ended up at No. 4 to the Kansas City Royals. The interest in Lacy could foreshadow what's to come in the second round.
Detroit took pitchers in the first round throughout four consecutive drafts from 2015 to 2018, adding right-handers Beau Burrows (2015), Matt Manning (2016), Alex Faedo (2017) and Casey Mize (2018). But in the 2019 draft, the Tigers didn't take a pitcher until LSU's Zack Hess in the seventh round.
There's an assumption Manning, Mize and left-hander Tarik Skubal will become anchors of the future MLB rotation, but picking up another power arm would give the organization more depth as that trio reaches the majors.
Torkelson and outfielder Riley Greene, the first-round pick in 2019, are expected to become stars at the plate. Beyond that, the Tigers don't have many sure-fire impact bats in their system.
[ Why Spencer Torkelson is a home run for Detroit Tigers in 2020 MLB draft ]
With 37 players off the board, Detroit has plenty options with the first choice in the second round when the draft resumes at 5 p.m. Thursday (MLB Network/ESPN2).
Here are 10 players whom the Tigers should target in the second round:
RHP JT Ginn, Mississippi State: Ginn was drafted 30th by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 but turned down the money to attend college. In 2019, he recorded a 3.13 ERA, 105 strikeouts and 19 walks in 17 starts and 86.1 innings as a freshman. This season, he only made it through three innings of his first start before an injury forced him to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the remainder of the coronavirus-shortened season. His fastball has movement and is complemented by a lethal changeup and slider. If the Tigers aren't concerned about his elbow, Ginn could be the guy.
RHP Chris McMahon, Miami: Mahon has a nifty fastball with movement that sits in the mid-90s, to go along with his slider, changeup and cutter. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound righty finished his three-year career 7-3 with a 3.28 ERA, 123 strikeouts and just 37 walks in 112 1/3 innings (20 starts). He registered a 1.05 ERA and 38 strikeouts against five walks in 25 2/3 innings before this season came to a halt. The 21-year-old was picked in the 33rd round by the Atlanta Braves in 2017 but went to college. With upside in the potential of his fastball, slider and changeup, along with experience at an ACC program, McMahon is a solid option for the Tigers.
RHP Cole Henry, LSU: Henry is no stranger to the Tigers, as Avila picked him in the 38th round two years ago. Nowadays, as a 6-foot-4, 214-pound draft-eligible sophomore, he has improved his breaking ball to work alongside a fastball that's in the 97 mph range. The 20-year-old posted a 1.89 ERA, 23 strikeouts and six walks in 19 innings this season. Detroit was interested in 2018, so what's to say he's no longer a good fit?
RHP/SS Masyn Winn, Kingwood HS (Texas): Winn could be the most valuable player in the draft as a two-way prospect. That makes the 18-year-old Arkansas commit a fit for the Tigers or any team that wants a high-risk, high-reward pick. His fastball touches 98 mph with a slider and changeup. At the plate, he features decent power. Since he's young, the concerns include his size (5 feet 11, 180 pounds), adjusting to the speed of the game and whether he's going to evolve into a better hitter or pitcher.
LHP Logan Allen, Florida International: Allen, 21, knows how to hit the strike zone, compiling 246 career strikeouts against 47 walks with a 3.33 ERA in 183 2/3 innings. The 6-foot, 170-pound lefty pitched in the Cape Cod league, returned to school and put together 41 strikeouts against six walks in 25.2 innings (four starts) before the 2020 season was nixed. If the Tigers want a left-hander who can get to the big leagues in the near future and has control of his pitches, Allen should be the pick.
RHP C.J. Van Eyk, Florida State: Van Eyk's strength is his consistency. He was drafted in 2017 by the New York Mets (19th round) but went to college because of a forearm injury that dropped his stock. In four starts this season, he had a 1.31 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 12 walks in 20 2/3 innings.
SS Casey Martin, Arkansas: While the Tigers probably aren't ready to write off Willi Castro as a future everyday shortstop, Martin can provide insurance at the position with speed, arm strength and raw power. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound 21-year-old hit .311 with 30 home runs and 112 RBIs in 143 games during his three-year carer. His best all-around season, however, was as a freshman. Meanwhile, Castro hit .230 in 100 MLB games last season.
C Dillon Dingler, Ohio State: Dingler is the best option if the Tigers are looking for a catcher. He has experience at catcher and center field, showcasing his arm strength by throwing out 21 of 42 runners who tried to steal against him. In 13 games this season, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound prospect slashed .340/.404/.760 with five home runs and 14 RBIs. If Detroit thinks his bat can develop at a higher level than Jake Rogers' (.125 avg. with four home runs in 35 MLB games last year), this could be the pick.
OF Daniel Cabrera, LSU: Cabrera was picked by the San Diego Padres in the 26th round three years ago, but he bet on himself in Baton Rouge. The decision paid off, as he began to scratch the surface of his power. The 6-foot, 180-pound prospect slashed .300/.382/.520 in his career, crushing 12 homers in 2019. Before this season was canceled, the 21-year-old was hitting .345 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in 17 games. Cabrera is an SEC player with raw power, making him an option for the Tigers.
3B Gage Workman, Arizona State: The Tigers already drafted one Sun Devil to play third base, so why not add another? Even though Workman is a little less likely at No. 38, he's a switch-hitter with a rare combination of power and speed. Workman, 20, was picked in the 14th round in 2017 by the Milwaukee Brewers but went to Arizona State, where he hit .298 with 14 home runs and 81 RBIs in 124 games across three seasons. The knock against him is that he struck out 138 times compared to just 48 walks.
Evan Petzold is a sports reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.
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