The Tigers announced Friday that they’ve signed No. 3 overall draft pick Jackson Jobe and No. 39 overall pick Izaac Pacheco. That pair of signings comes just a few days after the Tigers locked up No. 32 overall pick Ty Madden. Jobe received a $6.9MM bonus that clocks in $322K under slot, reports Jim Callis of MLB.com (Twitter links). He adds that Pacheco signed for a $2.75MM that is about $850K over slot.
Jobe, a high school right-hander out of Oklahoma, was something of a surprise pick to many onlookers. He’s regarded as having one of the highest ceilings in the draft and drew praise as the top high-school pitcher in this year’s class, but prep pitchers have a particularly high attrition rate as prospects, so there’s some risk to the selection.
That said, it’s also easy to see why the Tigers were so drawn to him. Jobe ranked seventh on the pre-draft rankings at ESPN and at MLB.com, eighth at Baseball America and FanGraphs, and 16th at The Athletic. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel wrote that Jobe “might be the best prep pitching prospect in years.” The righty draws 60 to 70 grades (on the 20-80 scale) on three different pitches. Listed at 6’2″ and 190 pounds presently, Jobe was also his high school team’s shortstop and is regarded as an excellent all-around athlete. The history of high school pitchers in the first round, particularly right-handers, isn’t great — but Jobe himself is a highly appealing prospect.
Pacheco, meanwhile, checked in at No. 22 at The Athletic, No. 30 at MLB.com, No. 36 at BA, No. 52 at ESPN and No. 65 at FanGraphs. He’s played shortstop in high school and was committed to Texas A&M. Most scouting reports on him feel he’ll settle in as a power-hitting third base prospect, which isn’t a huge surprise for an 18-year-old already listed at 6’4″ and 225 pounds. MLB.com’s report suggests that he could have more raw power than any left-handed hitter in the draft.
The Tigers have saved a bit of money on Jobe and some down-the-board picks (rounds four, five, six and eight, specifically). Those savings don’t quite balance out the over-slot deals for Madden and Pacheco, but the team could still save a bit of money on some of its yet-unsigned selections. It’s also worth remembering that they can exceed their bonus pool by up to five percent before being penalized with the loss of future picks. Detroit had the second-largest bonus pool at $14,253,800 total, so they could exceed that pool by up to $712K. Given that flexibility, they should be able to sign the rest of their picks without much issue.
Good Pick. Tigers have the best young minor league pitchers in baseball. I’m ready for some competition in this division
i still think KC does it better
As I wrote elsewhere, Al Avila is doing what AJ Preller was supposed to be doing.
The young Tigers are beginning to play solid baseball under AJ Hinch, and are going to be a power for the next 10-12 years.
The AL Central is mistakenly categorized as the weakest division in MLB. Wrong! (NL East is – crummy, inconsistent play with only one team over .500.) While I believe Francona is the best manager in MLB (who else could get what he does out of their rosters every year?), LaRussa and Hinch are not far behind. The Sox are kicking it in this year, the Tigers have so many good young players that Avila recently said they no longer rebuilding but BUILDING, and the Indians have quietly put together a solid farm system at their upper levels. While the Royals rebuild is faltering, they’ve focused on young pitching which takes longer to develop (while I love Dayton Moore, there are major questions regarding his manager and pitching coach). They’ll be getting better over the next few years. The Twins FO is solid, odds are that they’ll take a few steps back for a time but come back stronger.
Bottom Line – The AL Central is on its way to becoming the best division in MLB within the next few years. Watching the Tigers today reminds me of watching the Royals in 2014 – it’s obvious what’s going to happen.
Completely agree and I think the Tigers and White Sox will have a near Decade long rivalry that will be baseballs most exciting in a LONG LONG time.
What are you? A cards fan?
White Sox fan
LaRussa is not far behind Francona? LaRussa is out of it. He has his pitchers pitcher over 125 pitches and is not connecting with his players. Hinch and Francona equals.
Again, I disagree completely! CARL WILLIS IS the best manager in the MLB.
Selling complacency much?
Semantic antics that doesn’t wash.
I’ve always said this team was better than advertised but there are many things past, present and future the Big Al and Little C coulda, shoulda, woulda done to make this team much, much stronger, for much, much longer. There should be NO DISCUSSION about it….
Al and Chris should be building a team that kick those dirty Sox back into the dirty laundry basket where they belong.
Compete with the Sox and the Tiger fans are happy?
CHRIS ILLICH WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
As fan I demand Al Avila and Chris Illich get off their butts and set things right!
We should have a team that CRUSHES the Sox. That’s the way it’s always been and the way it should always be, at least as far as I remember!
Yes. It takes the extra effort!
You can really tell that marijuana is legal in Michigan.
Why?
Because the Tigers just swept the first place Texas Rangers and now they think they will be dominating for decade or the fact that Al thinks he can push the idea, “this it it” and people buy it?
I must admit, as a Detroit Michigander,beating the Rangers was pretty awesome. Twins too!
But I don’t think those types of references are appropriate. Don Julio and Mr. Gordon will not and do not approve. Are you really Paul McCartney or only on the weekends?
Stop, get some help
So…I think Samuel’s statement is completely ridiculous so I am on drugs and need help. Dude, you guys have real problems with people have different opinions and other people having fun expressing themselves.
Really. Maybe you and Samuael can just tell me how you conclude the Tigers will “be a power for the next 10-12 years”.
Really? Who is on the current roster that will be here 7 years from now?
Unusual for me to respond to personal attacks. Most people who don’t like me have the intelligence to just mute me and most like to let me know they have. Personally, those are the people who like to say inane, selfish stuff, where as my stuff is only insane. Do you know the difference?
As far getting help…hey Al…have you been listening?
And I read it because Samuel isn’t a bad writer.
Sorry…I guess I just got a little….. paranoid, that’s all…..
So make the extra effort!
I love the Tigers rebuild and I think they are going to be really good as soon as next year
AL Central will be a very strong and competitive Division in the next few years.
Royals, Tigers loaded up on prospects.
White Sox rebuild is over.
Twins just need some pitching and they are in it,
Prospects are always risky which is why they are nicknamed “suspects.” It is almost always a crapshoot, especially with high schoolers. I like the picks, but am less confident about the Tigers development staff. If Jobe and Pacheco turn into quality major leaguers, that could extend the team’s upcoming success into a decade-long series of achievements. IF….
What I like most about Jobe is his spin rate. There is no greater correlation with success for a pitcher than a high spin rate to go with decent control.
There’s a long road to go down, and avoiding arm injury is a challenge for every hard throwing pitcher, I really hope he winds up being even better than JV was.
Maybe hold back on putting “better than JV was” on a high school kid.
I give Detroit a year or 2 and they will be the ones to beat in the Al Central.
I really like Jobe. However, if Marcelo Mayer becomes an All Star SS, then the debate on whether the Tigers should have picked Mayer over Jobe will be a long term debate…
Nobody will complain if Jobe reaches his potential as well, which is higher than Meyer’s. The risk is Jobe’s health doesn’t pan out while Meyer goes on to a solid career.
The other thing about Jobe, that is often neglected, is that he did not specialize in baseball, and pitching in particular, until high school. Risk factors for TJ surgery are many, but one that stands out is pitching a lot as a younger player. That isn’t Jobe. While there are never guarantees, he is at least at a lower risk for such an injury.
My only disappointment in Detroit taking Jobe is that its likely 4 years before he will see the Majors. He’ll likely be the replacement for Mize or Skubal, rather than their teammate.
I disagree. His stuff plays. Wouldn’t be surprised if he fast tracks his way up. He’ll be 20 by September of next year. Not unreasonable to see early debut
When Verlander signs with them in the off season it should make it pretty interesting in the Central. That and a star shortstop in free agency and off we go.
The kids are alright is what I’m thinking….as long as little Illitch opens the wallet
How can such an analytical league still see H.S. pitchers taken early in the draft? Maybe Jobe pans out, but Mayer or Lawlar should’ve been the pick IMO. History and percentages are really against Jobe.
Because analytics say the spin on his slider can dominate even at MLB levels.
Hey Chris, if Al hasn’t noticed, someone should tell you. But you’ll have to pay me first.