How the Detroit Tigers Were Built

How the Detroit Tigers Were Built

Here is a look at the current roster of the Detroit Tigers, examining how each player was acquired and where they were drafted/signed from.

Al Alburquerque, RHP: Signed by Cubs as free agent in 2003 from Dominican Republic. Acquired as free agent by Tigers in 2010.

Joaquin Benoit, RHP: Signed by Rangers as free agent in 1996 from Dominican Republic. Acquired as free agent by Tigers in 2010.

Phil Coke, LHP: Drafted by Yankees in 26^th round in 2002, from San Joaquin Delta JC. Acquired by Tigers from Yankees in three-team Curtis Granderson trade in 2009.

Octavio Dotel, RHP: Signed by Mets as free agent from Dominican Republic in 1993. Signed ty Tigers as a free agent in 2011.

Doug Fister, RHP: Drafted by Mariners in seventh round in 2006 from Fresno State University. Acquired by trade with Mariners in 2011.

Rick Porcello, RHP: Drafted by Tigers in first round in 2007, from high school in West Orange, New Jersey.

Anibal Sanchez, RHP: Signed by Red Sox as free agent from Venezuela in 2001. Acquired by trade with Marlins in 2012.

Max Scherzer, RHP: Drafted by Diamondbacks in first round in 2006, from University of Missouri. Acquired by trade with Arizona (part of three-team Granderson deal) in 2009.

Drew Smyly, LHP: Drafted by Tigers in second round in 2010, from University of Arkansas.

Jose Valverde, RHP: Signed by Arizona as free agent from Dominican Republic in 1997. Signed by Tigers as free agent in 2010.

Justin Verlander, RHP: Drafted by Tigers in first round in 2004, from Old Dominion University.

PITCHING SUMMARY: 11 Pitchers
4 Signed as major or minor league free agents by the Tigers
4 Acquired via trade
3 Developed by Tigers Farm System

4 From Dominican Republic
1 From Venezuela
1 From North American High School (New Jersey)
1 From Junior College
4 From Four-Year Colleges

Alex Avila, C: Drafted by Tigers in fifth round in 2008 from University of Alabama.

Gerald Laird, C: Drafted by Athletics in second round in 1998 from high school in Westminster, California, but went to Cypress Junior College and signed before '99 draft. Signed as free agent by Tigers in 2011.

Miguel Cabrera, 3B: Signed by Marlins as free agent from Venezuela in 1999. Acquired by trade with Marlins in 2007.

Prince Fielder, 1B: Drafted by Brewers in first round in 2002, from high school in Melbourne, Florida. Signed by Tigers as free agent in 2012.

Omar Infante, INF: Signed by Tigers as free agent from Venezuela in 1999. Was traded to Cubs in 2007, then went to Braves and Marlins, then traded back to the Tigers in 2012. I am crediting the Tigers farm system for this one.

Jhonny Peralta, INF: Signed by Indians as free agent from Dominican Republic in 1999. Traded to the Tigers in 2010.

Ramon Santiago, INF: Signed by Tigers as free agent from Dominican Republic in 1998. Traded to Mariners in 2004, then re-signed as a free agent in 2006. The farm system gets credit for this one too.

Danny Worth, INF: Drafted by the Tigers in the second round in 2007 from Pepperdine University.

Quintin Berry, OF: Drafted by the Phillies in the fifth round in 2006, from San Diego State University. Signed as a minor league free agent by the Tigers in 2011.

Andy Dirks, OF: Drafted by the Tigers in the eighth round in 2008, from Wichita State University.

Avisail Garcia, OF: Signed by the Tigers as a free agent from Venezuela in 2007.

Austin Jackson, OF: Drafted by the Yankees in the eighth round in 2005, from high school in Denton, Texas. Acquired in the three-team Granderson deal in 2009.

Don Kelly, OF: Drafted by the Tigers in the eighth round in 2001, from Point Park College (Pennsylvania).

Delmon Young, OF: Drafted by the Rays in the first round in 2003, from high school in Camarillo, California. Acquired from the Twins via trade in 2011.

HITTING SUMMARY: 14 players

3 Signed as major or minor league free agents
4 Acquired by Trade
7 Products of Tigers Farm System

2 From Dominican Republic
3 From Venezuela
3 From North American high schools (California, Florida, Texas)
1 From Junior College (as a draft-and-follow)
5 From Four-Year Colleges

Of the 25 players on the post-season Tigers roster, six are from the Dominican Republic, four from Venezuela, four are from high schools (one each from California, Florida, New Jersey, and Texas), two are from junior colleges, and nine are from four-year colleges.

Seven entered the organization as major or minor league free agents developed by other organizations, eight were acquired by trade, and ten were products of the Tigers farm system