As Major League Baseball hits the All-Star break, the Detroit Tigers have wrapped up their 2026 MLB Draft, selecting 20 players over 20 rounds.
This draft marks the fourth under Scott Harris, who’s been president of baseball operations since 2022.
Notably, the Tigers leaned more heavily on college players, with only six high school players chosen.
This move reflects how college athletics are changing—players can now earn serious NIL money, which definitely factors into whether they go pro early.
So, what does this all mean for the Tigers’ future?
Detroit Tigers’ Draft Strategy in 2026
The Tigers’ 2026 draft strategy was pretty simple: go after college talent.
Out of 20 picks, 14 were from colleges, just six from high schools.
This fits with what we’ve seen from Scott Harris in recent years.
Why the college focus? College players tend to be more ready for the big leagues, and the whole NIL situation has changed the game financially.
High School vs. College Picks
In the first 10 rounds, only two high schoolers made the cut for Detroit.
Their first high school pick was Dominic Pellegrin, a shortstop from Louisiana, taken in the fourth round.
Next came Robert Omidi, a third baseman from Ontario, picked up in the eighth round.
Both have college commitments—Pellegrin to Tulane, Omidi to Kentucky—so there’s always that question: will they sign?
Then, in the 11th round, the Tigers took a shot on Will Adams, a highly-rated hitter from Alabama.
He was ranked 102nd by MLB.com but went 336th overall, probably because he’s committed to LSU and might be tough to sign.
This kind of pick shows the Tigers are willing to gamble a bit if the upside is there, even if it’s a long shot.
Top Draft Picks and Their Potential
The Tigers’ top three picks this year? All college guys.
Here’s a quick look at who they grabbed:
- Cameron Flukey – Right-handed pitcher out of Coastal Carolina, first-rounder. He’s a big dude at 6-1, 210 pounds, and his slot value tops $4 million. Clearly, Detroit wants to beef up its pitching.
- Tyson LeBlanc – Second round, shortstop from Kansas. At 6-0, 200 pounds, he’s got the build and skills to add some real depth to the infield.
- Evan Dempsey – Competitive balance pick, righty pitcher from Florida Gulf Coast. Another arm for the rotation, which can’t hurt.
Intriguing High School Picks
Will Adams is the name that stands out among the high schoolers.
He was Alabama’s Gatorade high school player of the year and, honestly, his left-handed swing is just gorgeous—maybe the prettiest in the 2026 class.
Yeah, he’s got that LSU commitment, so signing him won’t be easy, but the Tigers seem hopeful.
His swing is short, and he’s got real pull-side power. There’s a lot to dream on with this kid.
Other high schoolers worth mentioning:
- Dustin Dunwoody – Right-handed pitcher from California, 15th round.
- Jack Byers – Another righty, this time from New Mexico, picked in the 17th.
- Will Zielinski – Right-handed pitcher from Alberta, grabbed in the 20th round.
Challenges and Opportunities in Signing Draft Picks
The Tigers have a bonus pool just over $9 million to sign everyone.
Most of that—more than two-thirds, actually—will probably go to those top three picks.
That means Detroit’s front office will have to get creative to sign the rest.
Pellegrin and Omidi, for example, have slot values of $614,500 and $225,300, but if they’re going to skip college, they’ll probably want more.
Signability Concerns
The Tigers’ scouting staff has done their homework, but signability is always a little nerve-wracking.
Rob Metzler, assistant GM and the guy in charge of scouting, says it’s all about the relationships they’ve built with the players and their families.
There’s a deadline—5 p.m. on July 27—to get these deals done, or those slot values just disappear from the bonus pool.
Conclusion
The Detroit Tigers’ 2026 MLB Draft strategy feels like a mix of careful planning and a little bit of risk-taking. They’re leaning into college players, but they’re not ignoring high school talent either.
It’s a balancing act—trying to find guys who can help soon, while also stashing away some future stars. The way college sports are changing, especially with all the NIL money flying around, just makes things trickier.
Still, the Tigers’ scouting crew seems ready for it. They’ve built relationships and done their homework, which has to count for something, right?
With the signing deadline coming up, the front office has to juggle that bonus pool and make sure they actually lock in their top choices. In the end, though, it’s all about how these picks pan out over the next few years.
If you’re curious for more breakdowns or want to keep tabs on every pick, check out the full article at Detroit News.
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