Pitching remains the most valued commodity for the Detroit Tigers at the 2012 MLB Draft, as general manager Dave Dombrowski continues to load up on experienced college throwers who may have slid under the radar.
With the 244th overall pick and the Tigers' sixth choice of the draft, Dombrowski pulled the trigger on Florida Gators starter Hudson Randall, one of the most consistent, well-rounded throwers in the college ranks. According to MLB.com's scouting report, Randall has the intangibles to work his way through Detroit's farm system quicker than most.
He throws an average fastball, up to about 91 mph with some tail and sink, which plays up because of outstanding command. His changeup is the best of his other pitches, an above-average pitch that can be plus at times. He throws a curve and slider, both of which are fringe average offerings. But he throws all of them for strikes and really understands what to throw when. Randall's intangibles -- competitiveness and poise --- are off the charts and they allow him to succeed at such a high level without plus stuff. It's also what could allow him to move quickly through a system and help the back end of a rotation one day.
Following the Randall selection, Detroit bolstered its outfield ranks by adding Texas State's Jeff McVaney and Stanford's Jake Stewart at picks No. 274 and 304 respectively. Both players each hit from the right side of the plate and measure in at 6-foot-2, and are experienced enough (McVaney is a senior, Stewart a junior) to provide solid depth in the minor leagues right away. Stewart and McVaney join No. 121 overall selection Austin Schotts as the only positional players drafted by the Tigers thus far.
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