“Growing up, he was either managing AA or AAA, or he was the first base coach for (former Tigers manager) Sparky Anderson from ’92 to ’95,” said Roof, who was selected in the 18th round. “So he’s never really had the chance to be on the same field as me when I was playing and he was coaching. I think that’ll be pretty fun. The first time I get on base and he’ll be the first base coach and he’ll be able to congratulate me.”

It wasn’t a forgone conclusion that Roof would be a Tiger, although last year’s draft experience gave him some indication that he might don the Olde English D. Roof was picked by Detroit in the 46th round last year and was excited to potentially play for the team he and his family grew up around.

But Roof decided he needed to go back to school to finish his bachelor’s degree in accounting and improve his on-field performance. The risk of nixing the Tigers offer paid off, as Roof doubled his home run total from 2008 with six home runs and led the team with a .345 batting average, 69 hits, .525 slugging percentage, .440 on-base percentage, 14 doubles, 41 RBI and 105 total bases.

“Eric made a tremendous jump in draft status over last year, and that’s not very easy to do,” said MSU head baseball coach Jake Boss Jr. “For him to jump into the 18th round after being drafted in 46th round last year, the 28 round jump is pretty impressive.”

Boss called Roof one of the hardest working players he’s ever coached and said he is probably further along than a lot of players taken in the draft because of the success he had against college talented pitchers. Although the Tigers already have highly praised catchers Dusty Ryan and Alex Avila in their system, Boss said Roof’s versatility — he also can play in the infield — and the fact that he is a left-handed hitting catcher could help ensure a long career in professional baseball.

Despite Roof’s launch into the earlier rounds of the draft, Boss said he was disappointed no other MSU players were taken. He said he thought now-graduated senior right-handed pitcher Nolan Moody deserved a shot and that incoming seniors second baseman Chris Roberts and outfielder Eli Boike started to receive more attention as the draft approached, but ultimately were not chosen.

Roberts and the Cleveland Indians — who drafted him out of high school in the 27th round in 2006 — were in contact during the draft. The Indians had questions of signability, but Roberts was unsure where he wanted to be.

Now, though, Roberts knows the right decision was made for him.

“It’s definitely a motivational thing. I was drafted out of high school and would have liked to get picked up this year, but it’s not the end of the world,” he said. “The year we had this year with going to the Big Ten Tournament for the first time in five years, it’s all positives. To be part of team and program headed in the right direction makes you want to be here still.”