After picking college catcher James McCann with the 76th selection in the 2011 MLB Draft, the Detroit Tigers stayed in the college ranks in the third round. With the 106th selection, the Tigers took Vanderbilt University first baseman Aaron Westlake.
Westlake was rated as the No. 59 prospect by Baseball America. He bats left-handed and just finished his redshirt junior season with the Commodores. In 60 games this past season (229 at-bats), he batted .349/.466/.616 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs. That home run total was second in the SEC, but first in league play.
Minor League Ball’s John Sickels had Westlake as the No. 46 player on his draft board. Judging from that, it looks like the Tigers may have gotten a good value for their third-round pick.
Here’s an interview Westlake did with Baseball Beginnings in early May. The site also has a scouting report worth checking out.