Detroit Tigers Fill Mid‑Draft With Power Picks

Round 5: Declan Dahl – Louisiana Tech Pitcher

The Tigers added Declan Dahl, a 6‑ft‑3, 200‑lb right‑hander from Louisiana Tech, at pick 158. After two JUCO seasons at Seminole State (Okla.), Dahl posted a 13‑6 record with a 3.36 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 128.2 innings. He finished his 2026 campaign as the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year and earned First All‑Conference honors, going 7‑4 with a 2.75 ERA in 81.1 innings.

Dahl relies on a three‑pitch mix: a 91‑93 mph fastball that touches 95, a 79‑83 mph slider, and an 80‑84 mph changeup. His low release point helps secondary stuff, though it may be limiting velocity. The righty is a flyball pitcher, allowing 47.8 % of batted balls in the air, but his home‑run‑to‑flyball rate sits at a comfortable 10.1 %.

If Detroit can develop his control—especially on the changeup—Dahl could become a solid middle‑inning option, echoing the Tigers’ history of uncovering value in the mid‑draft rounds, much like Tarik Skubal (9th round) and Kerry Carpenter (19th round).

Round 6: Maddox Molony – Oregon Shortstop

At pick 187, the Tigers selected Maddox Molony, a 21‑year‑old shortstop from Oregon who is labeled the best Pacific Northwest prospect by MLB Pipeline. As a freshman, Molony posted a .969 OPS and repeated the performance as a sophomore, hitting 15 homers and stealing 10 bases.

His bat shows low in‑zone whiff rates and good speed, though some power may need to translate to game settings. The pull‑heavy approach and a disappointing junior year caused him to slip several rounds from early draft projections. Defensively, Molony has a solid glove and arm strength, but his speed is modest for a shortstop.

Detroit gains a raw talent who could develop into a corner‑infielder if his power continues to grow, fitting the Tigers’ need for versatile infield depth without draining bonus money.

Round 7: Brady Ballinger – Kansas First Base

Detroit chose Brady Ballinger, a 6‑ft‑2, 225‑lb first baseman from Kansas, at pick 216. Ballinger entered 2026 as a top Jayhawks veteran but saw his stats dip after moving to left field, hitting .283 with seven homers and 42 RBIs.

His bat remains the primary asset. In two seasons at Kansas, he walked 101 times versus striking out 94, showcasing a solid eye. Ballinger’s high leg kick and power to all fields drew praise from Baseball America, which noted his “extreme barrel tip” swing.

The Tigers likely plan to keep Ballinger at first base until he can transition to designated hitter, adding a potential long‑term power threat to an infield that has leaned heavily on younger talent.

Round 8: Robert Omidi – Ontario High School Third Base

Pick 246 brought Robert Omidi, a left‑handed high‑school bat from St. Martin Secondary School (Ontario, Canada) with a strong speed‑and‑strength profile. Omidi posted exit velocities in the upper‑90s at the 2025 PG National Showcase and boasts a powerful, strong bat path that translates to good barrel feel.

Defensively, he shows fine lateral movement and accurate throws from the hot corner, throwing 83 mph on infield throws—likely to improve by his senior year. Omidi committed to Kentucky, meaning the Tigers may need to use over‑slot bonus money to sign him.

If Detroit can secure him, Omidi could become a three‑craft contributor with a high ceiling, mirroring past Tigers’ investments in high‑school tools that later developed into role players.

Round 9: Kenneth “KJ” Ward – Arizona (Park University‑Gilbert) Pitcher

At pick 276, Detroit selected KJ Ward, a 6‑ft‑5 right‑hander from Arizona who throws 90‑plus mph and has touched triple digits. Ward returned from Tommy John surgery in 2024 and produced mid‑90s stuff in 2026, with the Tigers eyeing his mechanics to unlock more high heat.

Projected as a relief pitcher with closer potential, Ward’s velocity profile and recovery from major surgery make him a speculative but promising pick. He adds depth to a bullpen that has struggled with strikeout consistency.

Ward’s signing bonus may exceed the $150,000 threshold for rounds 11‑20, but the Tigers could view the upside of a high‑velocity reliever as worth the extra cost, similar to earlier efforts to fill gaps with swing‑and‑miss arms.

Round 10: Jack Turner – New Mexico State Pitcher

Pick 306 brought Jack Turner, a 6‑ft‑1, 195‑lb right‑hander who moved through the JUCO ranks before arriving at New Mexico State. Turner posted a 7‑3 record with a 2.42 ERA as a sophomore at Suffolk County Community College, earning NJCAA Division III First Team All‑American honors.

His senior year saw a climb in strikeout rate to 21.7 % but also a rise in walk rate to 11.7 %, while his fastball averages 94‑95 mph and reaches 97. Turner mixes a sharp sweeper, a 2700+ rpm cutter, and a low‑80s changeup, producing a ground‑ball profile.

Turner’s development story—starting in Division II, excelling in JUCO, then reaching the FBS level—offers Detroit a low‑risk, high‑reward arm for its rotation depth. A solid ground‑ball tendency could help the Tigers’ defense, making him a valuable mid‑draft addition.

Round 11: Will Adams – Hoover HS First Base

Detroit selected Will Adams, a 6‑ft‑2, 203‑lb left‑handed hitter from Hoover (Alabama), at pick 336. Adams entered the draft with a 55‑grade hit tool and 50‑grade power, plus an average exit velocity of 100.1 mph and a top 10 % swing at 108.5 mph.

His swing shows a “pretty left‑handed swing” with a high leg kick, though he occasionally struggles against high‑spin pitches. Defensively, he can stay at first base or shift to a corner outfield spot, and his arm strength suggests right‑field viability.

Because Adams will command more than the $150 k bonus slot, Detroit’s willingness to over‑pay signals confidence in his raw tools and upside, similar to past signing bonuses for high‑potential high‑school power hitters.

Round 12: Tyler West – Salt Lake CC Outfield

At pick 366, the Tigers chose Tyler West, a speedy outfielder from Salt Lake Community College with an SEC commitment to Texas A&M. West slashed .397/.482/.562 with 24 steals last season and showed 80‑grade speed potential.

His quick hands and ability to leg out extra bases make him a solid center‑field candidate, while his left‑side batting flair adds depth to Detroit’s outfield体系. The Tigers can sign him without exhausting bonus pools, as he falls under the $150 k threshold.

West’s blend of speed, good on‑base skills, and a commitment to a top program could provide immediate contributions and serve as a core piece for Detroit’s outfield rotation, complementing veterans like Austin Wells.

Round 13: Jett Johnston – Auburn Pitcher

Pick 396 brought Jett Johnston, a right‑hander who spent three seasons in the SEC with Texas A&M and Auburn. In 2026, Johnston held a 5.25 ERA over 24 innings, striking out 31 while walking only six, and posted a consistent 1.33 WHIP.

His strikeout rate reached 28.7 % with a 5.6 % walk rate, while his FIP fell to 3.68, indicating improved effectiveness. Johnston’s arsenal includes a 93‑95 mph fastball, a sharp sweeper, a short cutter, and a mid‑80s changeup.

Johnston provides Detroit with a reliever who can generate strikeouts and maintain decent control, fitting the Tigers’ need for multi‑inning arms out of the bullpen, and his development trajectory shows room for further improvement.

Round 14: Edwin Alicea – USF Left‑Handed Pitcher

At pick 426, Detroit selected Edwin Alicea, a 6‑ft‑5, 235‑lb left‑hander from South Florida with starter potential. Alicea logged 72.1 innings in 2026, posting a 5.23 ERA, 60 strikeouts, and a .253 opponent average.

He throws a mid‑90s fastball with good sink and run, complemented by a high‑70s slider and a mid‑80s changeup that works from a three‑quarters slot. Alicea’s ground‑ball heavy profile (over half of balls in play were induced) aligns with Detroit’s defensive strengths.

With a commitment to Georgia next season, Alicea should be signable now, giving the Tigers a potential Friday starter who can blend velocity with movement, a direction the organization has pursued in past drafts.

Round 15: Dustin Dunwoody – Royal HS (CA) Pitcher

Pick 456 marked Detroit’s first high‑school arm of the draft, Dustin Dunwoody, a 6‑ft‑2, 185‑lb right‑handed prospect out of Royal High School in California. Dunwoody throws from a three‑quarter slot, sitting low‑90s with 95‑96 mph when fully extended, and features a two‑seam fastball in the upper‑80s.

His slider sits 82‑85 mph with high spin, and he’s developing a kick changeup in the mid‑80s. Scouts view him more as a “thrower” now, but prep pitchers often improve mechanics, making him a potential swing‑and‑miss arm.

Securing Dunwoody will likely require over‑slot bonus money, but the Tigers’ willingness to reach in the mid‑tier rounds for prep talent reflects a strategy of building future arms from raw, high‑upside bodies.

Round 16: Michael Lane – Delaware State Pitcher

At pick 486, Detroit added Michael Lane, a 6‑ft‑1, 205‑lb right‑hander from Delaware State who has three seasons of college experience. Lane’s ERA has fluctuated—7.01 in 2024, 2.48 in 2025, back to 7.24 in 2026—while his strikeout rate sits at a career 25.1 % and his walk rate has dropped to 8.9 %.

He offers a four‑pitch mix: a 92‑95 mph fastball with ride, a 86‑87 mph circle changeup with strong horizontal movement, a solid low‑80s curveball, and a cutter still in development. Lane averages close to four innings per outing, providing a reliable middle‑starter profile.

Lane’s advanced walk discipline suggests he could stabilize a rotation spot, giving Detroit an inexpensive, controllable arm that could fill a middle‑inning need without taxing the bonus pool—another example of the Tigers maximizing value in later rounds.

The Tigers’ 2026 mid‑draft strategy showcases a blend of upside signings, developmental arms, and immediate contributors, aiming to fill gaps left by veteran departures and secure talent before higher‑round slots disappear. By balancing bonus‑efficient picks with strategic over‑pay for high‑floor prospects, Detroit positions itself for both short‑term competitiveness and long‑term roster building. Their approach echoes past drafts where late‑round gems like Tarik Skubal and Kerry Carpenter reshaped the franchise, suggesting this class could yield similar hidden values.