Detroit Tigers’ First-Round Gems: bWAR Leaders
The Detroit Tigers boast a rich history of talent, and much of that success has been built through strong performances from their first-round draft picks. While recent selections like Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Casey Mize are currently making their mark, this post takes a look back at the franchise’s all-time top first-rounders based on their Baseball-Reference WAR (bWAR) contributions while wearing the Old English ‘D’.
Charting the Tigers’ Top First-Round Picks by bWAR
Identifying key players who shaped the Tigers’ legacy means examining those who delivered consistent, high-value performance. Below are the five first-round selections who accumulated the most bWAR during their tenure in Detroit, a testament to their skill and impact on the team.
| Player | Position | Draft Year | bWAR (with Tigers) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Verlander | RHP | 2004 | 56.6 |
| Lance Parrish | C | 1974 | 30.1 |
| Kirk Gibson | OF | 1978 | 27.7 |
| Travis Fryman | SS/3B | 1987 | 27.5 |
| Justin Thompson | LHP | 1991 | 13.1 |
1. Justin Verlander: The Modern Ace
Widely considered one of the best pitchers in Tigers’ history and a future Hall of Famer, Justin Verlander leads this elite list with an astounding 56.6 bWAR. Drafted second overall in 2004 out of Old Dominion University, Verlander quickly ascended, helping the Tigers reach the World Series in his rookie year (2006) and winning the AL Rookie of the Year award. He went on to throw 200+ innings in eight consecutive seasons, leading the league three times.
His pinnacle came in 2011, when he achieved the Triple Crown (24 wins, 2.40 ERA, 250 strikeouts), earning him a unanimous Cy Young and the AL MVP — a rare feat for a pitcher. Across his 12 and a half seasons in Detroit, Verlander earned six All-Star selections, finished in the top 10 for Cy Young voting five times (including three top-three finishes), and garnered MVP votes in four seasons. His franchise rankings include top ten in wins (183), WHIP (1.191), K/9 (8.5), innings (2,511), and strikeouts (2,373). Even after leaving Detroit, Verlander continued his dominant career, adding two more Cy Young awards to his resume.
2. Lance Parrish: Power Behind the Plate
Selected 16th overall in the 1974 draft, Lance Parrish compiled 30.1 bWAR over his 10 seasons with the Tigers. After debuting in 1977, Parrish established himself as one of baseball’s premier offensive catchers from 1979 to 1986. During this eight-year peak, he made six All-Star teams, won three Gold Gloves, and five Silver Slugger awards, even receiving MVP votes three times. He was known for his consistent power, frequently hitting 20+ home runs and driving in 80+ runs, with a career-high 114 RBIs in 1983. Remarkably, during his prime (1979-1986), only Gary Carter surpassed Parrish in home runs (by one) and RBIs (by 61) among catchers. Parrish’s 212 home runs rank ninth all-time in Tigers history.
3. Kirk Gibson: The Iconic Outfielder
Before his legendary World Series homer with the Dodgers, Kirk Gibson was a dynamic star for the Detroit Tigers, accumulating 27.7 bWAR. Drafted in the first round in 1978, Gibson, a Michigan State alum, made his debut as a 22-year-old in 1979. His breakout came in 1981, a shortened season where he posted 2.4 bWAR, a .328 average, and a 141 OPS+. By 1984, Gibson reached new heights, tallying 27 homers and 91 RBIs, with an .879 OPS and 142 OPS+, finishing sixth in AL MVP voting. That year, he famously hit two home runs in Game 5 of the World Series, including a three-run go-ahead shot that clinched the championship for Detroit. He maintained high performance, with over 3.7 bWAR in each of the next three seasons, and later returned to finish his 17-year career with the Tigers.
4. Travis Fryman: A Steady Hand at Third
Travis Fryman, selected in the first round of the 1987 draft, was a consistent force for the Tigers throughout the 1990s, recording 27.5 bWAR. Debuting in 1990, Fryman immediately made an impact, finishing sixth in Rookie of the Year voting with an .818 OPS and 2.1 bWAR in just 66 games. Over his eight years in Detroit, he earned a Silver Slugger and four All-Star selections. Fryman consistently posted at least 2.0 bWAR each season and hit 15 or more home runs in seven of his eight years with the team, surpassing 20 homers in five of those seasons. During his tenure (1990-1997), he played the fourth-most games and scored the third-most runs among all third basemen, showcasing his durability and reliability as one of baseball’s most steady players.
5. Justin Thompson: A Brief, Brilliant Flash
Justin Thompson stands out on this list for his shorter, yet impactful, five-year big league career, with four of those years spent in Detroit, accumulating 13.1 bWAR. Drafted out of high school in 1991, the left-hander debuted in 1996, showing flashes of his potential despite some rookie struggles. His breakout season came in 1997, when he earned an All-Star selection by leading the Tigers’ pitching staff in ERA (3.02), innings (223.1), and strikeouts (151). He posted a team-high 152 ERA+ and a remarkable 7.7 bWAR that year. While he pitched another 200+ innings in 1998, his effectiveness dropped, and injuries significantly curtailed his 1999 season before he was traded that offseason. Thompson’s career highlights demonstrate a significant, albeit brief, peak as a first-round pick for the Tigers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tigers’ First-Round Picks
- Who is the all-time bWAR leader among Detroit Tigers first-round picks?
Justin Verlander leads all Detroit Tigers first-round picks with an impressive 56.6 bWAR during his time with the team. - Which of these players won an MVP award with the Tigers?
Justin Verlander is the only player on this list to win an MVP award (AL MVP in 2011) while playing for the Detroit Tigers. - How many All-Star appearances did Lance Parrish have with Detroit?
Lance Parrish was selected to six All-Star teams during his 10 seasons with the Detroit Tigers. - Was Kirk Gibson drafted by the Tigers?
Yes, Kirk Gibson was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the first round of the 1978 draft, after playing college ball at Michigan State. - What was unique about Justin Thompson’s career compared to the others on this list?
Unlike the other long-tenured players on this list, Justin Thompson had a much shorter big league career, lasting only five seasons, with a single, standout All-Star year.
The Detroit Tigers’ history is studded with exceptional first-round talent, proving that successful drafting is often the bedrock of a winning franchise. As today’s young stars continue to develop, they carry the torch passed down by these legends, aiming to carve their own indelible marks in Detroit baseball lore.
Detroit Tigers First Round Gems bWAR Leaders
