The Tigers got a last-minute deal done with 15th round pick Tyler Gibson, convincing him to forgo a scholarship opportunity at Georgia Tech.
↵The Tigers paid a handsome sum for the prep prospect that hit .443 last year; the deal is reportedly for $525,000. That's considerably more than a 15th round pick usually goes for and it's a big reason he fell to the Tigers in the 15th round:
↵↵↵Craig Gibson said his son turned down the Dodgers when they approached Gibson just ahead of the draft with thoughts of making him their second-round pick. The Dodgers learned what other clubs came to realize: It was going to require significant money, above and beyond commissioner Bud Selig's slot "recommendations," to sign an athlete who otherwise would opt for Georgia Tech.
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The Tigers had no first round pick as a result of the Victor Martinez signing, so they had a little more leeway to work with than other clubs. Gibson is a 6-foot-2 shortstop, although the Detroit News reported that he will likely move to outfield.