Tigers agree to deal with No. 62 pick Cabrera
LSU outfielder is 5th Detroit Draft selection to come to terms
Jason Beck
@beckjasonDETROIT -- While the Tigers get ready to restart their Major League Spring Training at Comerica Park, their Draft class is also coming together. General manager Al Avila announced Wednesday that the club has agreed to a deal with Competitive Balance Round B selection Daniel Cabrera.
Cabrera is signing a $1.2 million bonus, according to MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis, just over the $1,102,700 value assigned to Cabrera’s slot as the No. 62 overall pick.
The deal leaves only top overall pick Spencer Torkelson remaining for the Tigers to sign. Avila said Wednesday they expect to get a deal done.
Most likely, Torkelson's deal will be finalized in the coming days. He is expected to be considered for the Tigers’ 60-man Spring Training roster, which would allow him to take part in camp and work out the rest of the summer as part of the taxi squad. That 60-man roster must be set by Sunday night. Avila said he has a list ready, with potential for some last-minute changes.
Though Cabrera was projected as a potential first-round pick going into the Draft, the LSU outfielder was expected to sign, despite falling to the Tigers’ Competitive Balance Round B pick. He has the chance to move quickly through the organization, which has a need for offensive help in the outfield.
Equipped with a smooth left-handed swing, Cabrera has the ability to hit for average and power and can use all fields. He was a preseason All-American who hit .345 with two home runs before the college season ended. Primarily a left fielder at LSU, Cabrera has the arm strength to handle right field as well, according to scouts. He was MLB Pipeline's No. 38 Draft prospect.
So far, all five Tigers Draft signings have agreed to bonuses at or above slot. The team entered the Draft with a $13,325,700 bonus pool, second only to the Orioles. Detroit has $7,775,700 of that left to spend. Teams can go up to 5 percent over their pool allotment without losing future Draft picks, instead paying a 75-percent tax on the overage.
Torkelson’s slot carries a $8,415,300 bonus slot. The Tigers can spend $8,441,985 without losing future picks. The record bonus for an MLB Draft pick is $8.1 million by last year’s top overall pick, Orioles catching prospect Adley Rutschman.