1. Draft the best player available, not for need: Yeah, that sounds odd given how different the nature of the MLB Draft is compared to other sports. Yet, the Tigers have fallen into it many times under multiple regimes. A classic example: Bullpen closer. It's often been the Tigers' biggest issue, through good times and bad. And they attempted to fill it via the draft, which is way outside the box. They have taken college closers in the first round such as LSU's Rick Greene, Rice's Matt Anderson (first overall) and Arizona's Ryan Perry. Chance Ruffin and Corey Knebel, both from Texas, were supplemental first-round selections. The only one to have a sustained MLB success was Knebel, after he was traded as a minor leaguer for veteran closer Joakim Soria.
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2. Take advantage of low draft position: The Tigers had a long stretch of success from 2006-2014, which led to not having premium draft picks and giving up early-round selections because of signing veteran free agents. They didn't have first-round picks in 2011 and 2012. In 2010, they didn't have a selection inside the original first-round. However, the one time during that span the Tigers were in the Top 10, they missed at ninth overall with pitcher Jacob Turner. It's seemingly gotten much better in recent years with the likes of Casey Mize, Matt Manning and Riley Greene with early first-round selections.
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3. Emphasize multi-dimensional position players: Advanced statistics have supported the value of all-round position players. It's how the Royals, Astros and Red Sox centered their recent World Series title clubs. It took the Tigers too long to get on board in that regard, but extensively looking beyond Greene's plus bat last year was a promising sign the Tigers get it. He does run well and project as a plus MLB outfielder, perhaps even in center field. So was taking Parker Meadows in the second round in 2018, signing him away from Clemson in the process. It also makes it a more difficult decision than generally thought for the Tigers to bypass Vanderbilt's Austin Martin for Arizona State first baseman Spencer Torkelson in this draft. Martin is a five-tool player who can play multiple premier positions. Torkelson, far and away the favorite to be taken first overall, will have to outhit other factors in order to justify a first overall selection. He is capable of it, though.
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4. Continue to think analytically: I love scouts, and their value in the game remains significant. But it's not wise to go on hunches. Data counts for more, especially technological information, which is precise. There should be no question what, for example, Torkelson is as a fielder. Ditto for Martin. Is he really that good defensively? It's not just true for the top-end first rounders, either. The Tigers need to get much better in the other early rounds. They have blown way too many second-round picks, for example. It'd be naive to be believe it hasn't been because of being so late to the party analytically. Have they truly caught up?
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5. Don't forget about power arms: It seems like the handwriting is on the wall the Tigers will take a position player first overall, but in subsequent rounds, if it comes to down to a position player or higher ceiling pitcher, take the pitcher. Obviously, pitching is a strength in the Tigers' minor league system now, but the pitching arm is fickle. Look at how arm injuries have derailed Franklin Perez, Joey Wentz and Beau Burrows. It's the norm not an aberration. You can never have enough pitching - ever, especially those with above average velocity and/or high spin rate.
