You know that you’re going to be a good one if you’re getting high praise from former Detroit Tigers outfielder and Baseball Hall-of-Famer Al Kaline.
http://gty.im/1127566657
Kaline shared his thoughts on Tigers draft selection Riley Greene, whom he had heard scouts “rave” about for some time.
“All the scouts rave about him,” said Kaline on Tuesday. “From talking and listening to the scouts, they say he will be (a star). I’m hoping I’m around to watch him play up here.”
He’ll be introduced by the Tigers on Friday, and has already signed a contract that will see him earn a cool $6,180,700.
Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire is also heaping on the praise.
“(Fans) should be excited about it,” Gardenhire said. “He’s a great-looking young ballplayer. That’s what this draft’s all about; build your dreams.
http://gty.im/1151889667
“If everything goes accordingly, there’s a long process, yes, to get him on the field … and then go down to the heat (Lakeland, Florida) and strap it on.”
Greene was considered the top prep hitter in the draft; he sported a .422 batting average, eight home runs and a .550 on-base percentage in 28 games as a senior at Hagerty.
“It’s a big jump from high school to college, then an even bigger jump from college to professional,” Kaline said. “In professional ball, you’re facing the best pitchers all the time. In high school or college, you might be facing the No. 4, No. 5 starters.
“I think it’s a great draft for offensive players and hopefully they work out for us. Some work their way up quickly (through the minors), and some don’t, even first-rounders.”
