2.68 Detroit Tigers - Drew Smyly, LHP, Arkansas

The Tigers spent the 68th overall pick on Drew Smyly.

Follow the jump for his pre-draft report.

Drew Smyly   Position: LHP   School: Arkansas   State: AR   Year: So.   Height: 6’3’’   Weight: 190

Birth Date: 6/13/89   Seiler Rating: 1C3   Last Drafted: Never

*Missed due to injury

Drew Smyly is a solid left-handed starting pitcher from the University of Arkansas. He came to Arkansas from Central High School in Little Rock, where he was a solid performer as a high school player. Central is famous in baseball for producing the great Brooks Robinson, and while Smyly doesn’t exactly live up to that tradition, he’s a solid prospect in his own right. His senior year before the draft in 2007 was hampered by continuous back problems, and he went undrafted, heading to Arkansas, where he was expected to be a contributor right away. However, another problem cropped up, as he developed a stress fracture in his elbow, which required a medical redshirt in the 2008 season. He finally returned to health in 2009, when he moved into the rotation for the Razorbacks, and he gradually rounded back into shape throughout the year. Despite his success as a redshirt freshman, few expected him to take such a big step forward in 2010, as he’s become a solid Friday night starter, and he could become a solid number four starter in the big leagues. He starts his arsenal with a solid-average fastball that sits 88-91 most nights, though he’s run it up to 94 a few times. He is a master of command, and he projects to do well against pro hitters with his fastball. He adds in an interesting above-average slider and an average mix of a curveball and changeup, and by mixing speeds, he does an effective job of fooling both lefties and righties. He should go somewhere in the supplemental first to third round range, and though he’s a draft-eligible sophomore, it’s hard to see him improving on his stock next year, meaning he’ll be signable.