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Tigers kick off Day 3 by taking hurler Green

The Tigers started Day 3 of the First-Year Player Draft in the same way they started Day 2 -- by grabbing a University of Louisville ace. They selected right-hander Chad Green with their 11th-round pick (336th overall) on Saturday afternoon.

Green spent most of his first two years at Louisville in the bullpen before taking over as the Cardinals' Friday-night starter this season. Although he doesn't have as much professional potential as his rotation-mates, he is a solid prospect.

Green prepares to match up against Vanderbilt's left-hander Kevin Ziomek, who was selected by the Tigers in the second round, on Saturday night in the first game in their best-of-three series in the NCAA Super Regional. Green has struck out 70 in 97 1/3 innings this season while only walking 21.

Green commands his low-90s fastball well and uses his 6-foot-4, 216-pound frame to create a good downhill angle. He also throws a slider and a changeup, though both are still developing. The Tigers could give Green more time in the rotation to work on his secondary stuff. If not, he could return to the bullpen, where he might move quickly.

Green enjoyed a strong summer in the Cape Cod League, going 4-0 with 47 strikeouts in 42 innings. He was also drafted in 2010 out of high school in the 37th round by the Blue Jays.

Bobby Nightengale is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
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