Top 10 Detroit Tigers Spring Training Storylines to Watch

Seeing the first video of players playing catch in spring training always puts a smile on my face. Maybe it’s the sound of a baseball smacking the mitt. Or, the bright Florida sunshine beaming down, something the state of Michigan doesn’t see too often this time of the year.

No matter how the offseason went, spring training is always filled with optimism and excitement. For Detroit Tigers fans, this year more so than usual. Coming off back to back years with a playoff series win, the Tigers make a splash signing in Framber Valdez which has injected hope into this fanbase not only on the field, but with the front office.

Detroit heads into 2026 as the favorites to win the AL Central. They return all of their top talent from 2025, added a front-line starter, brought back a franchise legend, and have a few top prospects projected to join the team this summer. However, they do come with questions of their own.

Today I am going to dive into what I feel are the top 10 storylines heading into spring training for the Detroit Tigers.

Can Colt Keith Be the Answer at Third?

Since Jeimer Candelario left a few years back, the Tigers have had a revolving door at third base. Alex Bregman was the focus last winter while this winter all indications point towards Colt Keith returning to the hot corner after mostly playing second and DH in his first two seasons.

Keith did see 37 games at third last season, mostly due to Spencer Torkelson rediscovering his swing, leaving fewer holes in the lineup. Defensively, Keith was below average, but not quite a disaster. While I doubt he’ll be a plus defender, adequate is possible, and would be most welcomed.

Make it two straight offseasons where Keith is projected to play a different position. Not ideal for a young, developing player, but that’s the nature of the beast when a team is good enough to have a crowded lineup. Keith has had all winter to work on his footwork and angles at third and I think he has the ability to be passable.

Offensively, he took major strides last season. Sure, he has not turned into the power hitter many hoped for, but he improved from a 95 wRC+ to a 109 wRC+ while still showing great patience at the plate. I do think he could breakout to the level many expected from him, and the Tigers need him to in order to make up for the lack of offensive improvements.

Parker Meadows Has A Lot to Prove

Think back to the 2025 season when Parker Meadows hit a 9th inning grand slam that ultimately won a game for the Tigers. Meadows was breaking out in front of our eyes and the idea of a 4 WAR center fielder felt not only possible, but probable.

Well, that late 2025 stretch is starting to look like nothing more than an outlier. But, Meadows’ story is far from over. Injures have been an issue along with facing tough lefties. I don’t think Meadows has to become a five-tool star in order to impact the Tigers, but finding consistency is the next step.

To be frank, we have seen more bad Parker Meadows than good Parker Meadows in a Tigers uniform. Center field is his to lose, but can’t-miss prospect Max Clark will start breathing down his neck before too long. We know the defense and speed on the basepaths is there, but Meadows’ bat has to improve.

If I could sign up today for a 15-homer, 15-steal, 95 wRC+ hitter with plus defense, I would. I think that expectation is fair and not shooting for the moon, but also not a baseline we can write in with sharpie. Meadows’ runway as the starting center fielder is getting shorter, and the coming season is going to be a pivotal one for him and his future in Detroit.

Can Beau Brieske Reclaim a Bullpen Role?

Beau Brieske was a bright spot in 2024, pitching to a 3.59 ERA and 3.51 FIP across 67.2 innings. Manager A.J. Hinch leaned on him in big spots and Brieske was looking like one of the high-leverage arms going forward.

However, 2025 was a different story. Injury and an inability to find the strike zone led to a disastrous 2025 filled with walks and an ERA that ballooned to over six. With Kyle Finnegan and Will Vest back and the addition of Kenley Jansen, Brieske is going to have to find a new role.

The Tigers’ bullpen is far from set. I’d argue there’s still a spot (or two) up for grabs, and that’s before any injuries pop up and create more. Opportunity is there and the path to the roster is clear. Brieske will need to show better control in spring in order to find middle-relief innings and an Opening Day spot.

I do think Brieske’s stuff is still up to par and his changeup can be a weapon, but he’ll have to prove that again. The Tigers have brough in a number of veterans on minor league deals that could steal a spot. Brieske does have an option remaining so a trip back to Triple-A is possible.

Veteran Bullpen Arms Could Carve Out a Roster Spot

Bullpens are weird. Rarely do you find consistency year-to-year with relief pitchers and every summer there’s a guy or two who seems to spawn out of nowhere to claim a role. The Tigers have brought in a number of veterans to battle for a spot and each come with intrigue.

Phil Bickford – Bickford was a steady presence in bullpens for a couple of teams from 2021-2023. A typical stuff over control righty who walked too many guys and allowed too many home runs. He spent 2025 in the minors pitching to a 3.52 ERA and 3.13 FIP while striking out 10.37 K/9. At the very least, Bickford is a great Triple-A option for Toledo and veteran depth arm if the Tigers run into injuries.

Scott Effross – Effross was a significant deadline add for the Yankees back in 2022 and finished the year with a 2.54 ERA. Injuries, including Tommy John, have held him back, and last season was a struggle in Triple-A. A soft tosser who barely reaches 90 mph but comes with a sinker that generates groundballs. Outside chance he finds a role but we know the Tigers like groundball pitchers and don’t stray away from low velocity.

Troy Watson – Watson really impressed in Double-A last season before earning a promotion to Toledo where he pitched to a 3.12 ERA and 4.55 FIP. He started throwing strikes at a much higher rate which made him an intriguing option with a pitch mix that could work at the major league level. A sleeper pick to keep an eye on.

Bryan Sammons – Sammons returns to the Tigers organization after spending a year in Japan and pitching to a 3.43 ERA. Although he’s a starter, I think his best path to the roster would be as another lefty or bulk-inning arm out of the bullpen. Yet another low-velocity arm with a fastball that relies on ride and a sweeper to pair. Big, looping breaking balls that could be a change of pace option to throw hitters off.

Jack Little – I’m very intrigued by Little. He was a standout closer at Stanford before joining the Dodgers and has had some success in the minors. His fastball plays well at the top of the zone but his pitches do tend to flatten out at times. Overall, a solid relief pitcher who the Tigers could unlock more with his secondaries. I think he’ll start in Toledo but could be an early call-up.

Konnor Pilkington – Pilkington is a lefty who made the transition to the bullpen last year in the Nationals system. He comes with a changeup that has great movement and gives him a pitch to neutralize righties and a slider that could use some work. His fastball added two MPH from 2023 to 2025 and he lowered his release point to more of a side armer. A guy I’m very intrigued by for 2026, even as a depth arm.

Rotation Depth or Bullpen Boost?

The addition of Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander have solidified the rotation, even with the recent news of Reese Olson set to miss the season. With one through five set, and Drew Anderson likely moving to a bulk role in the bullpen, what happens with the rest of the rotation options?

Troy Melton, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Ty Madden, Keider Montero, and Jake Miller are the other starters on the 40-man roster. Obviously, the Tigers need to keep a few stretched out in Toledo, but they could transition an arm or two in order to strengthen the bullpen.

Personally, I’d keep Melton and Miller in the rotation no matter what. The other three all have a case for moving to the bullpen. Gipson-Long has struggled with injuries and at 28 years old it might be time to shift him into a role and hope shorter outings can up his velocity.

Montero pitched out of the bullpen in shorter stints late last season and flashed a bit. His ability to bounce around from role to role is valuable and I think they are still a season away from potentially converting him full time.

I’m very interested in seeing how Madden looks now that he’s healthy. I had been all in on moving him to the bullpen, but recently had a change of mind. The pitch mix is still good enough to hold out hope for him putting it together and being a depth starter with potential to backfill the rotation in 2027.

Overall, I think at least one of these arms should make the transition and following which could boost the bullpen will be fun to watch this spring.

Will Kevin McGonigle Claim an Opening Day Roster Spot?

The question I’m sure we will all be debating over the next 40ish days. A consensus top-five prospect in all of baseball, Kevin McGonigle is one of, if not the, best pure hitter(s) in the minor leagues. He can hit to all fields, has excellent gap power and enough home run pop to make a difference in the Tigers lineup.

Plenty of people have voiced their concerns about him sticking at shortstop, but that’s a long-term question. For 2026, I think he can be an adequate shortstop. The position could use an offensive upgrade and McGonigle is the most likely to provide just that.

He’s only played 46 games above Single-A which leads me to believe he’ll start in the minors. Before you say it’s service time manipulation, keep in mind Keith and Jackson Jobe made the Opening Day roster when the Tigers easily could have manipulated their respective service times.

It will all come down to how good McGonigle looks in spring training. If he puts on a display that far and away shows he’s ready he could make the team out of camp. Anything short of that and I expect him to be in the minors, at least for a short time.

Regardless, all eyes will be on McGonigle this spring. If the Tigers improve their offense internally, McGonigle is highest upside option.

Which Non-Roster Invitee Stands Out

We have already covered a number of pitchers who you should know, along with McGonigle, so let’s focus on other position players. Josue Briceño (C/1B), Clark (CF), John Peck (SS), Hao-Yu Lee (INF), Max Anderson (INF), and Thayron Liranzo round out the group of prospects.

Clark is unlikely to make the Opening Day roster, but does have a path to take over an outfield spot this season. A tooled up 21-year-old who does everything well and makes highlight plays, it will be fun to follow him, even if his chances at making the team right away are slim.

Briceño and Liranzo will draw a lot of my attention. Specifically, I want to see how each handle their job behind the plate. Both are more offensively than defensively gifted, but with an offseason of work I want to see who’s ahead.

Peck is a name to get familiar with. A 2023 seventh-round pick, he has really started to make a name for himself as a plus hitter who is rising up prospect rankings. He’s Rule 5-eligible this December, so 2026 is a big year.

Keep an eye on Corey Julks and Ben Malgeri. Both righty bats who play the outfield with Malgeri being more of a prospect and Julks being this year’s Jahmai Jones – a veteran short-side platoon option. While I wouldn’t count on either providing much for the Tigers in 2026, there’s a non-zero chance they see the field this summer.

Who’s Ahead: Max Anderson or Hao-Yu Lee?

Anderson and Lee are both options to play second, third, or fill time at DH. Both come with questionable defense but a bat that could help the Tigers. Each of them swing the bat from the right side, so if the Tigers want to platoon Keith at third, these guys could be the answer.

I doubt either will be tracking to make the Opening Day roster, unless injury, but both will be battling for the first call up. How they split time between the two at third and second, and which takes the reigns at third, will be the first indicator of who’s ahead.

Both Anderson and Lee have spent time in Triple-A, but Lee has a full season’s work in Toledo compared to Anderson’s 32 games. Personally, I think Lee has the higher floor and longer track record of success but the breakout we saw from Anderson in Double-A last season put him on radars in a big way.

Jace Jung’s Last Chance

Jace Jung enters 2026 in a tough position. He was not a draft pick of the current front office and has struggled in his limited time in Detroit, albeit a small sample. He has little left to prove in the minors after posting a 124 wRC+ in back to back years in Toledo.

At this point, Jung is what he is: a patient hitter that will draw walks, swing and miss a lot, and provide little in the way of defense. The gap power is intriguing, but the Tigers don’t have an opening that will give him a chance to get the at-bats needed to prove if he can be a major leaguer or not.

In terms of third base depth chart, I think Jung is probably 5th or 6th. I could see a scenario where a team in a rebuild would be willing to take a flier on him in exchange for a bullpen arm. Jung has two options left so he could return to Toledo, but that roster is getting filled quickly.

What Role Does Wenceel Perez Fill?

You could tell me Wenceel Pérez is the starting right fielder or in Toldeo to start the season and I would believe you. The 26-year-old switch-hitter showed improvements from his rookie year slashing .244/.308/.430 with 13 home runs and a 103 wRC+. I still like Pérez and do think he makes the roster, but a trickle-down effect from other decisions should be noted.

If McGonigle were to make the roster as the starting shortstop, Zach McKinstry, Matt Vierling, Javier Baez, and Jones would be battling for three spots on the bench with Jake Rogers taking the fourth. I’m not 100% sold on Jones repeating as the lefty masher we saw in 2025, but I’m not convinced Pérez (.865 OPS vs LHP) is either.

If McGongile doesn’t make the team, and let’s assume Kerry Carpenter is the DH, Pérez could have the inside track of winning the right field job. It wouldn’t surprise me. But, Perez has faltered down the stretch in back to back seasons and the advanced metrics aren’t kind to proving his power uptick will stick.

Bottom line, I truly do not know what to think of Pérez’s ceiling but I’m pretty comfortable with his floor.

Final Thoughts

The Tigers enter spring training with fewer questions about their roster compared to last season. I guess that’s to be expected when you return most of the talent and have another year of sample size to form your expectations.

Without many true position battles to follow, prospects will likely take a lot of the shine. Clark, McGonigle, and others will lead most of the discussion. When you think about it, being the favorite in a division and still having top-tier prospects to focus on is a pretty good place to be.