DETROIT – The Tigers on Thursday selected right-handed pitcher Jonathon Crawford from the University of Florida with their first pick (20th overall) in the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Crawford had a 3-6 record with a 3.84 ERA and 69 strikeouts as a junior with the Gators in 2013. As a sophomore at Florida, he tossed a no-hitter on June 1, 2012, against Bethune-Cookman, marking the first no-hitter by a Gators pitcher since 1991.
“The Tigers organization is pleased to select Jonathon Crawford this evening,” said David Chadd, Tigers vice president of amateur scouting and special assistant to the general manager. “He has a power arm with a plus slider and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to add him to our organization.”
Crawford -- 6-foot-2, 205-pounds -- is rated by Baseball America as the ninth-best pitching prospect available in this year’s draft and the 19th-best prospect overall.
