Tigers select two players on first day of 2014 Draft
Tigers tab high school center fielder and college hurler with first two picks
DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers made two selections in the first 63 picks of the 2014 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft this evening.
The club selected outfielder Derek Hill from Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, Calif., with the 23rd overall pick in the first round this evening. Hill hit .500 (47x94) with 26 runs scored, 11 doubles, seven triples and 30 RBI as a senior at Elk Grove High School in 2014. Hill stole 29 bases as a senior and posted a .586 on base percentage.
"The Tigers organization is excited to select Derek Hill this evening," Tigers Vice President, Amateur Scouting and Special Assistant to the General Manager, David Chadd said. "Derek is an excellent hitter, a great defensive outfielder and has electric speed. We're pleased to have the opportunity to add him to our organization."
The 6-2, 195-pound centerfielder was rated by Baseball America as the sixth-best outfield prospect available in this year's draft and the 22nd-best prospect overall.
The Tigers selected righthanded pitcher Spencer Turnbull from the University of Alabama with the 63rd overall selection in the second round this evening. Turnbull started 15 games for the Crimson Tide and posted a 5-7 record with a 2.22 ERA (93.1IP/23ER). Turnbull allowed just 61 hits, holding opponents to a .192 batting average, and struck out 61 batters.
Turnbull has pitched in 45 games, including 40 starts, at Alabama and has an 11-16 career record with a 3.54 ERA (236.1IP/93ER).
The list of the players selected tonight follows:
Rd Player Position Ht. Wt. B/T Age School
1 Derek Hill CF 6-2 195 R/R 18 Elk Grove High School (CA)
2 Spencer Turnbull RHP 6-3 230 R/R 21 University of Alabama