The Detroit Tigers have taken switch-hitting Arizona State third baseman Gage Workman with their fourth-round pick, No. 102 overall, in the 2020 MLB draft. They have now made four of their five picks in this year's draft.
Workman, 20, is 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds.
Here's how Workman fits into the Tigers' rebuild:
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The player
The Tigers already added one Sun Devil to play third base in No. 1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson, so they must have felt it was necessary to add another. Workman reclassified at Basha High School in Arizona, which is why he has played three years but is younger than most college prospects in the draft. His best season came as a sophomore in 2019, slashing .330/.413/.528 with 11 doubles, four triples, eight home runs and 43 RBIs.
His past two summers were spent in the Cape Cod League. He struggled with a .163 batting average in his first wood bat season but improved last summer by hitting .266 with five doubles, four triples, one homer and 20 RBIs in 43 games.
Why it makes sense
Workman was picked in the 14th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017 but went to Arizona State. He became recognized in Tempe for his power with 14 home runs in 124 games. His bat speed and power comes from the left side but he could become a utilizable hitter from the right. He comes from an infield that featured Torkelson at first base and Alika Williams (37th overall to Tampa Bay Rays) at shortstop, so he knows what it's like to play with MLB talent.
Why it's a risk
The Tigers are betting on better contact from Workman, who struck out 138 times compared to 48 walks. In two Cape Cod League seasons, he struck out 72 times with 19 walks. He's also going to have to find his place in the organization if Detroit keeps Torkelson at third base. If Torkelson plays first base, things might open up for his Arizona State teammate. Workman played a bit of shortstop, so that's an option.
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June 12, 2020 at 08:10AM
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Detroit Tigers take Arizona State's Gage Workman in Round 4 of 2020 MLB draft - Detroit Free Press
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