Tigers didn't learn from Downriver Little League of 80's

Back in 1985 and 1986, the Trenton Angels dominated the 9-10 year-old division of the Trenton Baseball Association. That team was coached by Barry Mathews who was not only a cagey skipper, but a shrewd judge of talent and money in drafts. While most coaches were picking their son's friends, my old man made it clear to me that my friends couldn't hit worth a shit or had girlie arms. He showed up at the tryouts and actually did some scouting. Those juggernaut Angels teams went undefeated in two straight seasons, picking on weak teams filled with my friends and their girlie arms.

The Tigers seem to have fallen into the same trap as those ill-fated weak sisters of the TBA. In Tuesday's draft, the Tigers used five selections on family of current coaches, players and even a scout. In late rounds, the Tigers selected the sons of Jim Leland, Lloyd McClendon, and Rick Knapp. They took the brother of Justin Verlander and the son of scout of Barney Miller. I'm sorry, but no way these moves were all based on objective measurables. Hell, my old man might have passed on me if the league didn't mandate he take me by the 3rd pick (and if I wasn't so awesome at hitting baseballs).

I would call for a Congressional investigation if not for the draft track record of Dave Dumbrowski. Tongight's starting battery was Ricky Porcello and ALex Avilla who were both drafted in 2008. Justin Verlander has been a legitimate ace and Ryan Perry looks to have a long career ahead of him in the bullpen. Brennan Boesch was the May Rookie of the Month and was drafted in 2006 and Sizemore, Worth, and Jacob Turner all have bright futures with the club. One diamond that DD drafted in the 21st round last year is Giovany Soto. At 6'3" and 155 lbs of raw power, Soto is leading Class A West Michigan with a 1.99 ERA including 52 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched. IN his past four starts, he has only allowed two earned runs. Not yet Strassberg-esque but not bad for a guy who saw over 200 pitchers get drafted before him. Keep going you skinny little lighting rod, you.

The Tigers took a third baseman with their first pick in the draft. I hope Inge was watching. Rick Castellanos was one of the most talked about high school bats in this year's draft class. They took pitchers with their next two picks and a catcher with their 100th pick. Based on DD's track record, expect to see at least one of them with the big league team in the next three years.