No, the Tigers won't catch a break in the MLB Draft.
Despite rumors that the 2021 draft order would be based off results from this season and last season -- a format that would have benefited Detroit -- it will instead be determined by this year's standings alone, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
A clause in a preseason agreement between MLB and the MLBPA gave commissioner Rob Manfred the right to re-order the draft if he felt the shortened season was a false barometer for the state of the league.
"Even though 60 games doesn't give the full picture of who's really good and who isn't, the source said it's highly likely that the draft order will be determined by this year's record," Passan reported Tuesday.
If the season ended today, that means the Tigers would pick No. 7. The top pick would go to the Pirates, who are last in the majors with a record of 15-39. Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker is expected to go first overall.
But a week of baseball remains. Depending on the results of their final six games -- two against the Twins, then four against the Royals -- the Tigers could theoretically wind up picking anywhere from No. 2 to No. 20.
Those are the extremes. Most likely, the Tigers will land somewhere from No. 5 to No. 9. The Royals would currently pick No. 6, so the final series of the season could have a long-term affect in the AL Central.
The top 10 picks, if the season ended today, are listed below.
1. Pittsburgh: 15-39 (.278)
2. Texas: 19-35 (.352)
T-3. Boston: 20-34 (.370)
T-3. Arizona: 20-34 (.370)
5. Washington: 21-32 (.396)
6. Kansas City: 22-32 (.407)
7. Detroit: 22-30 (.423)
8. Baltimore: 23-21 (.426)
9. LA Angels: 24-31 (.436)
T-10. Seattle: 24-30 (.444)
T-10. NY Mets: 24-30 (.444)