Farmer's smart moves benefit Tigers' Draft

DETROIT -- Rather than sign with the Brewers, who took Buck Farmer in the 15th round of the 2012 Draft, the 22-year-old returned to Georgia Tech for his senior season, and it's looking like it may have been a good move by the right-hander. The Tigers selected Farmer in the fifth round (156th overall) of the First-Year Player Draft on Friday.

The three-time All-ACC pitcher struck out 122 hitters in 113 1/3 innings. He also went 9-5 with a 2.78 ERA in 17 starts. Farmer earned a 5-1 record, mostly out of the bullpen during his freshman year before improving to an 11-3 mark in his first full season as a collegiate starting pitcher.

A strong, durable workhorse type, Farmer will mix four Major League average or better pitches. His fastball may top out at around 91 mph, but it seems faster thanks to an above-average changeup that's a legitimate weapon. Add in a sharp slider and a curve that shows sign of being a usable second breaking ball and you have the makings of a solid middle-of-the-rotation-type starter.

Farmer was also drafted in the 46th round in the 2009 Draft by his hometown Braves, but he elected to play for the Yellow Jackets.