Alexander, 23rd-round Draft pick, opts not to sign

DETROIT -- As expected, Tigers 23rd-round Draft pick Tyler Alexander did not sign by Friday's 5 p.m. ET deadline, instead opting to play college ball at TCU. The fact that the Texas high school left-hander was the second-highest ranked Tigers Draft pick not to sign made it a lot more palatable for them.

University of Pittsburgh pitcher Matt Wotherspoon, the Tigers' 20th-round pick, also went unsigned. He opted to return to school for his senior season.

Alexander was the first high school player the Tigers selected in their collegian-heavy Draft last month. The Tigers knew Alexander would not be an easy sign when they drafted him. The Dallas Morning News High School Pitcher of the Year went 12-1 with a 0.66 ERA at Southlake Carroll High School, striking out 177 batters over 94 2/3 innings. Reports suggested the Tigers would try hard this week to get him signed, but his commitment appeared firm.