The Tigers player development system has often been under fire for not drafting nor developing high-ended players. The criticism has mostly been justified.
This season is providing redemption for the organization, however.
Justin Verlander has been the best pitcher in baseball. While it is true he was the second overall selection in the draft, it was anything but a no brainer at the time. Verlander was 21-18 in his career at a relatively low profile college program - Old Dominion. There was much-speculation at the time the Tigers would select a high school pitcher, Homer Bailey, instead.
The Tigers also drafted Curtis Granderson from Illinois-Chicago in the third round. At the time, he was projected as a solid-hitting corner outfield prospect with limited speed and power.
That's the possible American League Cy Young/MVP combo right there.
And the Tigers found pitcher Jair Jurrjens in Curacao.
The current team has homegrown players, still relatively young, who has performed well. Alex Avila and Brennan Boesch. And there are others used in trades who have had good seasons. Matt Joyce with the Rays comes to mind first.
Avila, Joyce, Verlander, Granderson and Jurrjens were each selected for the All Star Game