Tigers sign two draft picks, including first-rounder Cameron Flukey

Christian Romo, Detroit Free PressThu, Jul 16, 2026·3 min read

The Detroit Tigers have signed two of their earliest selections from the 2026 MLB Draft.

The Tigers announced the signings of first-round pick Cameron Flukey (RHP) and Competitive Balance Round B selection Evan Dempsey (RHP) on Wednesday, July 15. The terms of each deal have not yet been revealed.

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Detroit made Flukey the No. 22 overall pick in the 2026 draft. A starter at Coastal Carolina, Flukey put up an 8-2 record with a 3.19 ERA in 101⅔ innings in his sophomore season with the Chanticleers in 2025, starting in an eventual College World Series final round loss to LSU. He made only seven starts in 2026 after suffering a stress fracture in his rib to start the season and was the first pitcher the Tigers have drafted in the first round since making right-hander Jackson Jobe the No. 3 overall pick in 2021.

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Detroit Tigers select RHP Cameron Flukey in 2026 MLB Draft

Cameron Flukey, an Egg Harbor Township High School graduate, is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft. (Photo/Coastal Carolina Athletics)

Detroit Tigers select RHP Cameron Flukey in 2026 MLB Draft

Detroit Tigers select RHP Cameron Flukey in 2026 MLB Draft

Detroit Tigers select RHP Cameron Flukey in 2026 MLB Draft

Detroit Tigers select RHP Cameron Flukey in 2026 MLB Draft

Detroit Tigers select RHP Cameron Flukey in 2026 MLB Draft

The Tigers' first-round draft slot is valued at $4.1 million, which is near the amount they could offer Flukey in bonus money without incurring any draft pick penalties (though it is not yet clear how much Flukey signed for).

Detroit drafted Dempsey at No. 69 overall – the team's third pick – in the second competitive balance round. Dempsey was a two-way player at Florida Gulf Coast University, but the Tigers have signed him as a pitcher for an undisclosed amount.

Dempsey went 12-4 over 36 career appearances (25 starts) for the Eagles, putting up a 3.15 ERA and striking out 12.8 batters per nine innings over 88⅔ innings in 2026. FGCU has produced six other major leaguers, most notably 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale.

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The Tigers selected 20 players during the 2026 draft. None are required to sign with the team, though it is expected that many will, especially with the Tigers leaning so heavily on drafting college players.

The most intriguing decision on the list may come from 11th-round pick Will Adams, a first baseman ranked No. 102 on MLB Pipeline's top prospects list. Adams has already committed to LSU for the upcoming season, but if the Tigers can convince him to veer away from Baton Rouge and toward Detroit, it could end up one of the best picks of the draft.

• Round 1: RHP Cameron Flukey, Coastal Carolina (signed).

• Round 2: SS Tyson LeBlanc, Kansas.

• Round 2: RHP Evan Dempsey, Florida Gulf Coast (signed).

• Round 3: None (forfeited after Valdez signing).

• Round 4: SS Dominic Pellegrin, Holy Cross HS (Louisiana).

• Round 5: RHP, Declan Dahl, Louisiana Tech.

• Round 6: SS Maddox Molony, Oregon.

• Round 7: 1B Brady Ballinger, Kansas.

• Round 8: SS Robert Omidi, St. Martin (Ontario, Canada).

• Round 9: RHP KJ Ward, Park University-Gilbert.

• Round 10: RHP Jack Turner, New Mexico State.

• Round 11: 1B Will Adams, Hoover (Alabama)

• Round 12: OF Tyler West, Salt Lake City CC.

• Round 13: RHP Jett Johnston, Auburn.

• Round 14: LHP Edwin Alicea, South Florida.

• Round 15: RHP Dustin Dunwoody, Royal HS (California).

• Round 16: RHP Michael Lane, Delaware State.

• Round 17: RHP Jack Byers, Artesia HS (New Mexico).

• Round 18: RHP Drake Meeks, Southern Mississippi.

• Round 19: RHP Cade Rusch, Bellarmine.

• Round 20: RHP Will Zielinksi, Vauxhall HS (Alberta, Canada).

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