Perfect Game expert Vinnie Cervino talks Detroit Tigers, 2024 MLB draft
“Days of Roar” podcast on July 8, 2024, discussing 2024 MLB draft with Perfect Game’s Vinnie Cervino. Subscribe to listen to new episodes weekly.
The Detroit Tigers will wait 10 picks before making their selection in the 2024 MLB draft, at No. 11 overall.
The first-round decision for the Tigers ultimately depends on the players still on the board when they’re on the clock, one spot after the Washington Nationals.
A handful of players seem like fits for the Tigers, namely high school hitters Konnor Griffin and Bryce Rainer and college right-hander Trey Yesavage. If they’re not available, college third baseman Cam Smith could be best player for the taking.
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“If the Nationals take Yesavage and snipe you a little bit, Cam Smith’s overall toolset fits perfectly for the Tigers,” said Tyler Jennings, director of draft content for Prospects Live. “With them, if you do add more loft to the swing, you’re going to unlock more power, and don’t change the approach. The approach is exceptional. I think he’s going to be one of the best players to come out of the class, just with the hit and power that he has.”
Smith, a right-handed hitter, posted a .387 batting average with 16 home runs, 44 walks and 48 strikeouts across 66 games in 2024, playing for Florida State. The 21-year-old worked as a third baseman throughout his two-year college career and projects to stick at the hot corner as a professional.
He made a significant improvement to his approach on offense between his freshman and sophomore seasons while competing in the Cape Cod League.
In summer ball, Smith cut down on his strikeout rate while maintaining his ability to hit the ball hard. The trend continued throughout his sophomore season at Florida State.
“With Cam Smith, if everything works out perfectly for him, his range starts around No. 9 with the (Pittsburgh) Pirates,” Jennings said. “I really do like the bat. The approach from last year that he carried over from the Cape really stuck with him this year. He is a low chase, good contact hitter with a bunch of power. He needs more loft to his swing if you want to get more over-the-fence power. He’s built like a linebacker. He has really quick hands. He has really big bat speed.”
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What if Smith isn’t on the board?
College outfielder James Tibbs, a fellow Florida State standout, is another option for the Tigers to consider at No. 11 overall. The 21-year-old hit .363 with 28 home runs, 58 walks and 37 strikeouts across 66 games in 2024.
Tibbs struggles against left-handed pitchers as a left-handed hitter, but he crushes right-handed pitchers.
“Maybe someone like James Tibbs with the offensive upside would work out perfectly,” Jennings said. “If you get one of the high school guys, it would make sense. I don’t know if there’s an arm outside of Yesavage that you’d probably take at 11 if (college right-hander) Chase Burns, (college left-hander) Hagen Smith and Yesavage are gone after 10.”
The Tigers have been heavily linked to high school left-hander Cam Caminiti.
In 2024, Caminiti — the cousin of 1996 National League MVP Ken Caminiti — registered a 0.93 ERA with 14 walks and 119 strikeouts across 52⅔ for Saguaro High School in Arizona. His fastball maxes out at 98 mph, but he needs to develop his secondary pitches.
“I think his range probably starts closer to the (San Francisco) Giants at 13,” Jennings said.
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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Perfect Game expert Vinnie Cervino talks Detroit Tigers, 2024 MLB draft “Days of Roar” podcast on July 8, 2024, discussing 2024 MLB draft with Perfect Game’s Vinnie Cervino. Subscribe to listen to new episodes weekly. The Detroit Tigers will wait 10 picks before making their selection in the 2024 MLB draft, at No. 11 overall. …
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