Eric Walter Munson (born October 3, 1977) is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current minor-league baseball coach. He was the third overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball draft by the Detroit Tigers, behind Josh Hamilton and Josh Beckett. Amateur career Munson graduated from San Diego's Mount Carmel High School where he played baseball with former major league third baseman Eric Chavez. Munson was named to the All-America First Team by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings. Munson was first drafted out of high school in 1996 by the Atlanta Braves, who chose him 62nd overall in the 2nd round. Munson however did not sign, opting to play college baseball at the University of Southern California, where he was named Freshman All-American. Among Munson's USC teammates were future Astros teammates Jason Lane and Morgan Ensberg. After three seasons at USC, Munson was drafted third overall in the 1st round of the 1999 amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers. Professional career Minor leagues The Tigers signed Munson to a $3.50 million signing bonus, a team record until Rick Porcello was signed for $3.58 million in 2007. Despite playing the catcher position in high school and college, the Tigers had drafted Munson mostly for his hitting skills, and the decision was made to shift him to first base. Although his batting average was merely average (.260s), Munson hit for power in the minor leagues, and was named to the Midwest League All Star Team in 1999 and the Eastern League All Star Team in 2001. In 2002, while playing for the Toledo Mud Hens, Munson was named the Detroit Tigers Minor League Player of the Year. Detroit Tigers Munson began his major league career with the Detroit Tigers, making his debut in July 2000 for a week. He then was a September call up, and made appearances in three games. He also made September appearances in 2001 and 2002. During spring training prior to the 2003 season, Munson was asked to try the third base position, as the Tigers had previously acquired Carlos Peña and Dmitri Young, both of whom were slated to play first base or designated hitter. The club's regular third baseman, Dean Palmer, was dealing with numerous injuries and would not be available. Munson would go on to play in 91 games at third. On June 26, 2004, he hit what was then the longest