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Detroit Tigers should draft Michigan pitcher Jeff Criswell for his arm — and his stories

Michigan baseball coach Erik Bakich reacts after his team lost the national championship game to Vanderbilt, 8-2, June 26, 2019 in Omaha, Neb. Detroit Free Press

As a writer, I don’t root for teams — I root for stories.

That’s why I’m hoping the Detroit Tigers take Michigan pitcher Jeff Criswell in the Major League Baseball draft, which starts Wednesday. He's a perfect Day 2 pickup.

Because he is such a cool story. Great arm. Grew up in Portage, near Kalamazoo. Helped Michigan get to the 2019 College World Series title game, pitching five innings of scoreless relief against Vanderbilt.