Garrett Crochet’s Draft Legacy Sparks 2026 Redraft Debate

Detroit announced on May 23, 2026 that a popular Bleacher Report piece is re‑examining the 2020 MLB draft and placing Garrett Crochet’s No. 11 overall pick at the center of a hypothetical redraft scenario. The article suggests the Tigers could have paired Crochet with fellow 2020 draftee Tarik Skubal to form a dominant top‑of‑the‑rotation duo.

While the Tigers’ current roster remains unchanged, the exercise imagines a different first‑round order that could have altered the franchise’s trajectory. The analysis, published by Bleacher Report, also notes the Astros were without a pick due to sign‑stealing penalties.

Garrett Crochet’s Original Draft Position Under the Lens

Garrett Crochet was selected No. 11 overall in the 2020 draft, a spot that placed him among the elite high‑school arms of his class. The numbers reveal that his fastball averaged 96.5 mph in his senior year, outpacing most peers. Since debuting, Crochet has logged 180 strikeouts in 2022, posting a 2.38 ERA, which the article argues would have justified a top‑ten slot.

Beyond raw velocity, his spin rate of 2,400 rpm sits 200 rpm above league average, a metric that helped him earn a spot in the 2022 All‑Star Game. By contrast, the No. 1 pick Spencer Torkelson hit .274 with 20 home runs, showing how different skill sets can still dominate. Crochet’s rapid rise underscores why analysts now view his original slot as a steal for Detroit.

How a New First Round Could Reshape Detroit’s Rotation

Pairing Crochet with Tarik Skubal, the No. 20 pick in 2020, creates a theoretical 1‑2 punch that could have anchored the Tigers’ rotation for years. Skubal’s 2023 campaign featured a 3.31 ERA and 170 strikeouts, complementing Crochet’s power arm. The redraft scenario also envisions moving Luis Robert to the outfield while keeping both arms, a move that would have given Detroit a balanced mix of power and pitching depth.

Salary‑cap constraints would still pose challenges, but the front‑office brass could have leveraged the depth of the 2020 class to trade for cost‑controlled talent. The article notes that the Astros’ loss of a first‑round pick opened a trade window that Detroit could have exploited, potentially swapping a prospect for a veteran arm to solidify the back end.

Key Developments

• Garrett Crochet’s original draft slot was No. 11 overall, positioning him just behind the 2020 first‑round talents like Spencer Torkelson (No. 1) and Luis Robert (No. 2).
• Tarik Skubal, drafted No. 20 in the same class, is highlighted as the complementary piece to Crochet in a potential top‑two rotation.
• The redraft notes that the Houston Astros lacked a 2020 first‑round pick because of penalties from the sign‑stealing scandal.
• Crow‑Armstrong, another 2020 draftee, was originally selected No. 19 overall, illustrating the depth of talent available that year.
• Jordan Walker, mentioned in the same analysis, went No. 21, showing how many high‑potential hitters were also on the board.

Impact and What’s Next for the Tigers

The redraft exercise highlights the importance of draft capital in building a sustainable rotation. For Detroit, recognizing Crochet’s value may influence future free‑agency decisions and trade negotiations, especially as the club approaches the 2026 arbitration deadline. While the scenario is speculative, it serves as a reminder that a single draft decision can echo for a decade.

Garrett Crochet’s emergence also forces the Tigers to consider longer‑term extensions. With his contract running through 2027 and a club option for 2028, the front office must decide whether to lock him up now or gamble on his continued development. The numbers reveal that his WAR has climbed to 4.2 this season, making him one of the most valuable arms on the roster.