DETROIT -- One week after Alex Faedo won the College World Series with the University of Florida, the gifted right-hander is on the verge of beginning his pro career. The first-round Draft pick officially agreed to terms on a contract with the Tigers on Wednesday.
The Tigers will introduce Faedo to Detroit at a Wednesday afternoon news conference at Comerica Park.
Terms of the contract are not yet known. Faedo went to the Tigers with the 18th overall selection, which carries a slot value of just over $3.2 million. Detroit had around that amount available under the cap after signing the rest of its top 10 selections, and the club had been expected to reach an agreement with the Tampa, Fla., native to bypass his senior season.
The Tigers drafted Faedo in the 40th round out of high school in 2014, and they were thrilled to have him available with their first-round selection last month. Minutes after the pick, Faedo pitched in relief for Florida to earn the Gators a trip to the College World Series.
Once in Omaha, Faedo rolled, throwing 14 1/3 scoreless innings on five hits with 22 strikeouts in two wins over TCU. He battled through his final start with a cramp in his right calf but did not have a serious injury. Once the Gators swept LSU in the finals to win their first title in school history, Faedo was named the College World Series' Most Outstanding Player.
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The 6-foot-5, 225-pound junior went 9-2 with a 2.26 ERA and racked up 157 strikeouts in 123 2/3 innings in the regular season.
Detroit has left open the possibility that Faedo could move quickly up their organizational ladder as he progresses. After a long college season, and especially postseason, the Tigers could hold off and let him rest before sending him on his first pro assignment.