Reports: First-rounder Manning signs with Tigers

The Detroit News

1. Matt Manning, RH starter, age 19, 6-6, 190: Manning is an athlete – a big man who could have played college basketball in the fashion of his father, Rich, who worked two seasons in the NBA. Pedigree doesn’t matter here as much as an important, related fact. Manning has played other sports along the way. He is a pitcher with fewer miles on his odometer than often is the case for teenage standouts. Toss in his big fastball and helpful package of secondary pitches, and the Tigers were confident last June they had added (signing price: $3.5 million) a potential ace right-hander to a farm system begging for bright lights. Manning is progressing nicely: fastball in the mid 90s, curveball, baby change-up that steadily should grow. He struck out 46 batters in 29 2/3 innings during last summer’s debut in the Gulf Coast League. Expect a few more signs in 2017 for why the Tigers made him last year’s ninth overall pick.

Right-handed pitcher Matt Manning, the Tigers’ first-round draft pick, No. 9 overall, signed with the organization on Thursday, according to the Sacramento Bee and other reports.

The recommended slot value for the draft’s ninth pick is $3.505 million.

“I still can’t believe all of this has happened,” he told the Bee. “I’m really excited to get started.”

Manning, who just graduated from Sheldon High in Sacramento, is in Lakeland, Fla., ready to begin his pro career. As a senior, he had 70 strikeouts in 40 innings, and a 1.20 ERA.

Manning (6-6, 185 pounds) had been committed to Loyola Marymount.

Tigers' first-round pick Manning has 'fresh arm'

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