The Tigers had a shot at the top shortstop in the draft, but passed on Marcelo Mayer for pitcher Jackson Jobe with the third overall pick. They addressed their need up the middle by taking Izaac Pacheco with their first pick in the second round, No. 39 overall.
Pacheco is a 6'4, 225-pound man-child from Texas with "huge raw power," according to MLB Pipeline, and a commitment to Texas A&M.
MLB Pipeline ranked Pacheco No. 30 among this year's draft prospects and says he "may offer more left-handed juice than anyone in the Draft, creating plus-plus raw pop with strength, bat speed, leverage and loft."
He went 5-5 with 10 RBI in one playoff win this spring for his top-ranked Friendswood team.
The big question with Pacheco is his long-term viability at shortstop. While he's naturally athletic, his frame may eventually necessitate a move to third base.
He said Monday he'll "work to stay at shortstop" if possible "but I’m a guy who can play anywhere in the field and I really use my stick as my big thing."
Per MLB Pipeline, Pacheco "has soft hands and plus arm strength, leading some evaluators to believe he can develop into a plus defender at the hot corner." Of course, the Tigers envision Spencer Torkelson manning the hot corner for years to come.
We'll see what that means for Pacheco. But if his bat translates to pro ball, the Tigers will find a place for him in the field.
"I know their development program is second to none. I know they got a young group of guys and I’m really excited to get in that group, compete and hopefully win a World Series," he said.