Tigers agree to terms with Ziomek, Kubitza

DETROIT -- The Tigers used this year's Draft to add advanced pitching, and it turns out they will get some immediate help as the team agreed to terms with two top selections in the First-Year Player Draft.

Detroit's second-round pick, left-hander Kevin Ziomek from Vanderbilt, and fourth-round selection, right-hander Austin Kubitza from Rice University, agreed to terms Friday. The Tigers have now signed nine of their first 11 picks from this year's Draft.

Both Ziomek ($956,600) and Kubitza ($401,200) signed at slot value.

Ziomek led the Commodores with a 2.12 ERA in 17 starts while striking out 115 in 119 innings and holding opposing hitters to a .188 average. He made an impression last year with a strong summer in the Cape Cod League, striking out 36 batters over 28 1/3 innings in five starts, and is expected to start his pro career at short-season Class A Connecticut of the New York-Penn League.

Kubitza increased his Draft stock after being selected in the seventh round of the 2010 Draft by the Pirates, and choosing not to sign. He struck out 134 batters in 109 1/3 innings, including eight in seven innings against North Carolina State in the NCAA Super Regional on June 8.

"We certainly think of him as a starter," said David Chadd, the Tigers' vice president of amateur scouting. "He's got a live fastball that has a lot of sink. He's got a slider that's certainly an out pitch. I think he does have a feel for a changeup, and again, he's another guy in this year's Draft that had unbelievable numbers, especially strikeout numbers. When you're evaluating college pitchers, one thing that jumps out at you is their ability to strike out college hitters."