This year’s MLB Draft for the LSU Tigers had more cards up in the air as opposed to recent years. From losing out on a top-level signee, to having several notable names on the team right now, the Tigers might have lost a good bit of their star power once again.
It didn’t take long for Riley Pint, the number two overall prospect according to Baseball America to get snatched up at number four overall by the Colorado Rockies. Based off of the slot values, he is projected to be making over five million dollars so he won’t be playing under Paul Mainieri. This was one of eight signees for the class of 2017 that were drafted over the course of three days.
But that wasn’t the only place where the Tigers were affected. Jake Fraley, the only returning everyday starter from the 2015 season, was drafted 77th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays. Fraley has confirmed he will sign with the Rays shortly after it was announced.
The next Tiger to be drafted wasn’t until the 14th round when pitcher Jared Poche was selected by the San Diego Padres at 414th overall. Mainieri expects that Poche will sign with the club.
Full List of LSU Players Drafted
Signees
Riley Pint RHP, St. Thomas Aquinas Selected No. 4 overall by Colorado Rockies
Zack Hess, RHP, Liberty Christian Academy, Lynchburg, VA Selected No. 1,058 overall (35th round) by the New York Yankees
Kyle Weatherly, RHP, Grayson Community College Selected No. 252 overall by the Toronto Blue Jays — slot value of $174,700
Hunter Kiel, RHP, Pensacola State College Selected No. 869 overall (29th round) by the Arizona Diamondbacks
Jake Slaughter, SS, Ouachita Christian School Selected No. 1,094 overall (36th round) by the Chicago Cubs
Josh Smith, SS, Catholic High School Selected No. 1,135 overall (38th round) by the Detroit Tigers
Current Tigers
1B Greg Deichmann Selected No. 783 overall (26th round) by the Minnesota Twins as a third baseman
RHP Jesse Stallings Selected No. 438 overall (15th round) by the Cincinnati Reds
CF Jake Fraley Selected No. 77 overall by Tampa Bay Rays
LHP Jared Poche Selected No. 414 overall (14th round) by the San Diego Padres
2B Cole Freeman Selected No. 551 overall (18th round) by the Los Angeles Dodgers
SS Kramer Robertson Selected No. 962 overall (32nd round) by the Cleveland Indians
RHP Parker Bugg Selected No. 803 overall (27th round) by the Miami Marlins
RHP Riley Smith Selected No. 719 overall (24th round) by the Arizona Diamondbacks