Tigers will draft No. 5 in 2019; history says there will be gems available

For the third time in four years, the Tigers will have a prime pick in the Major League Baseball Draft.

While 64-98 in 2017 was good for the first overall pick in 2018, 64-98 in 2018 has secured the Tigers the fifth overall pick in 2019.

The American League Central actually will have three of the first five picks, with the Royals going second and the White Sox going third.

The Tigers had the first overall pick in 2018 and took Auburn right-hander Casey Mize. In 2016, they had the ninth pick, and took high school right-hander Matt Manning.

It's far too early to speculate on who they might land at No. 5 in next June's draft, as the franchise's rebuild continues in earnest.

But we can at least look back, and realize there have been some gems taken No. 5 overall, including Dwight Gooden in 1982, Mark Teixeira in 2001, Dale Murphy in 1974, Ryan Braun in 2005, J.D. Drew in 1998, Buster Posey in 2008, Vernon Wells in 1997, Jack McDowell in 1987, and Matt Wieters in 2007.

All those players had or have career WARs (Wins Above Replacement) of at least 18, ranging from 18 for Wieters to 53 for Gooden, the longtime ace of the Mets.

The Tigers have had the No. 5 overall pick one time, in 1977, and it didn't work out too well. They took a prep right-hander Kevin Richards out of Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte, and he never made it to the major leagues.

Here's the complete MLB Draft order for 2019, from MLB.com:

1. Orioles (47-115)

2. Royals (58-104)

3. White Sox (62-100)

4. Marlins (63-98)

5. Tigers (64-98)

6. Padres (66-96)

7. Reds (67-95)

8. Rangers (67-95)

9. Braves (compensation for unsigned 2018 first-round pick)

10. Giants (73-89)

11. Blue Jays (73-89)

12. Mets (77-85)

13. Twins (78-84)

14. Phillies (80-82)

15. Angels (80-82)

16. Diamondbacks (82-80)

17. Nationals (82-80)

18. Pirates (82-79)

19. Cardinals (88-74)

20. Mariners (89-73)

21. Braves (90-72)

22. Rays (90-72)

23. Dodgers/Rockies Monday loser (91-72)

24. Indians (91-71)

25. Dodgers/Rockies Monday winner (92-71)

26. Diamondbacks (compensation for unsigned 2018 first-round pick)

27. Brewers/Cubs Monday loser (95-68)

28. Brewers/Cubs Monday winner (96-67)

29. Athletics (97-65)

30. Yankees (100-62)

31. Dodgers (compensation for unsigned 2018 first-round pick)

32. Astros (103-59)

33. Red Sox (108-54)

tpaul@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @tonypaul1984