Detroit Tigers Top 15 Prospects

2025 was a rollercoaster for Tigers fans, but a ride that featured far more highs than lows. One of the best teams in all of baseball in the front half of the year, Detroit sent six players to the MLB All-Star Game and saw Tarik Skubal become the first back-to-back Cy Young winner in the American League since Pedro Martinez.

While premier pitching prospect Jackson Jobe’s season-ending elbow injury hampered Detroit’s prospect hopes, many others down on the farm played the best baseball of their lives in 2025. Led my the dynamic prospect duo of Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark, the Tigers and President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris seem to have run into a prime window of contention.

1. Kevin McGonigle – SS – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 5’11”, 190 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round-A (37) – 2023 (DET) | ETA: 2026

The best pure hitter in the minor leagues, McGonigle is tapping into above average game power and has proven capable of sticking on the left side of the infield. He’s as safe of a prospect as you are going to find.

Offense

With a wide, slightly open setup, McGonigle starts well into his legs and uses a toe tap load as his weight shifts into his backside. He naturally controls his body exceptionally well, consistently putting himself in position to get his A swing off against all pitch types with a great feel for the barrel to pair.

It’s tough to get McGonigle to expand, running a chase rate comfortably below 20% as a pro, but when he does swing outside of the zone, he does a great job of getting to pitches, making it extremely difficult to strike him out. Since being drafted, McGonigle has walked at a 15% clip while striking out just 10% of the time.

McGonigle had flashed above average exit velocities in 2024, but tapped into his power much more consistently in 2025, boasting an average exit velocity of nearly 92 MPH and a 90th percentile exit velocity of 105 MPH. Pair the strong exit velocities with a roughly 7% slash in ground ball rate and you get a player who could be closer to plus power than average.

One of the most eye-popping components of McGonigle’s batted ball profile is his average launch angle north of 20 degrees on batted balls 95 MPH and above. His best impact consistently being in the air makes it easy to envision an extra base hit machine.

Defense/Speed

Despite both an average arm and range, McGonigle moves his feet well enough and puts himself in good spots to make plays at shortstop with a great internal clock. He works low to the ground and reads contact off of the bat well, boasting impressive overall instincts and comfort throwing on the run and from different angles.

While his average athleticism may limit him from being an impact defender at shortstop, he may have a shot of sticking there thanks to his strong actions and feel for the game. The Tigers had McGonigle get reps at third base as well during his time in the Arizona Fall League where he quickly looked comfortable. If he slides over to second base, he would project as an above average defender there.

An above average runner, McGonigle is not a huge base stealer, but picks up speed when underway. He should be able to steal 15+ bags per season on his instincts alone.

Outlook

McGonigle’s 2025 season both proved that he can tap into above average power as well as stick on the left side of the infield, making it seemingly impossible to poke a hole in his profile. Even if the Tigers opt to move McGongle off of shortstop, he has the offensive ability to shoulder the demands of third base and then some or could be one of the most productive second baseman in the sport. McGonigle is as safe of a bet as there is in the minor leagues to be an everyday big leaguer, but he has the offensive skill set to be a consistent All Star.

2. Max Clark – OF – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 195 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 1st Round (3), 2023 (DET) | ETA: 2026

A superb athlete who gets the most out of his frame, Clark flies, has a rocket for an arm and makes plenty of contact. He made a leap in the bat-to-ball and swing decision departments heading into 2025 that has yielded impressive results.

Offense

Previously starting with a wide, crouched stance and his hands low, Clark narrowed his stance some heading into the 2025 season and raised his hands. He worked hard on his path to handle secondary offerings with more success, which has been evident by a 20% increase in contact rates against non-fastballs along with a drop in chase.

His twitch, wiry strength and athleticism help him produce plus bat speed with ease. Even if the swing is somewhat more geared for line drives, he hits the ball hard to all fields with the ability to flash some pop pull side.

Clark is compact and quick to the ball, helping him see the ball longer and make good swing decisions. His barrel enters the zone early and seems to stay for a long time, helping him make plenty of contact.

Between his quickness to the ball, simple moves and feel for the barrel, it’s easy to see a plus hit tool for Clark. His hard hit rate has jumped by nearly 10% through the first 40 games of the 2025 while walking more than he has struck out. The numbers understandably slowed some upon his promotion to Double-A, but Clark’s batted ball data was still comfortably better than his season prior.

While Clark will likely always be a hit-over-power bat, he elevated his power outlook by flashing exit velocities north of 110 MPH along with improved angles. Even if the game power lands as fringy, his improved raw power and feel to hit should make him a threat to compile plenty of extra base hits to complement his plus on base skills.

Defense/Speed

A plus plus runner with a strong arm, Clark has the tools to be a superb defender in centerfield, he just needs to iron out his routes some. Running up to 94 MPH on the mound in high school, Clark easily boasts a plus arm. With his football background and ability to get to his top speed quickly, Clark should be a menace on the bases as well.

Outlook

Clark is a workaholic who has really bought into his approach in 2025, and the results have been plenty evident with leaps in the contact and swing decision departments. His mechanical adjustments are also helping him hit the ball harder more consistently. Between the on base skills, defensive ability and speed, Clark’s floor is high, but he continues to push his ceiling higher with improved offensive consistency and impact.

3. Bryce Rainer – SS – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 195 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (11), 2024 (DET) | ETA: 2028

A left-handed hitting shortstop with plus power potential and the tools to stick at the six, Rainer stood out as the top prep player in the 2024 class. A shoulder injury unfortunately cut his 2025 campaign short, but he is set to return healthy in 2026.

Offense

Rainer made some swing adjustments that helped elevate him in his senior spring. He now starts with his hands higher and uses the ground much more effectively. There’s natural loft in his left-handed swing with plenty of violence, already producing exit velocities as high as 114 MPH in Low-A. Between his present raw power, ability to elevate and room for more strength, it is easy to dream on plus power with Rainer.

Even with his improvements in the box, Rainer is still looking up at an average hit tool. He can be long to the ball, wrapping the bat far behind his head as he loads, which can cause the barrel to lag behind his body. Rainer has a good feel for the strike zone and has recognized spin well as an amateur. The solid plate discipline helps, but Rainer will need to make some strides in the bat to ball department to tap into his plus power potential.

Defense/Speed

A legitimate two-way prospect, Rainer could run it up to the mid 90s on the mound, but notified teams that he would prefer to hit. After playing all over the diamond for the USA National Team, Rainer focused his attention on the shortstop position where he impressed. The game has looked a little quick for him at shortstop in the early going of his pro career, with footwork that is a tad behind, but his double plus arm plays great on the left side of the infield. An average runner, Rainer is a savvy baserunner who will pick his spots to go.

Outlook

Left-handed hitting shortstops with plus power potential and a shot at the position do not grow on trees, especially in a Tigers system that lacks bats that can stick on the left side of the infield. He will need to make some strides in the contact department and refine his defensive mechanics to attain his ceiling, but the ingredients are there for Rainer to be an everyday shortstop and borderline All Star.

4. Josue Briceño – C,1B – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 245 | Bat/Throw: L/R | IFA: $800K, 2022 (DET) | ETA: 2027

He may not stick behind the dish, but it’s Briceño’s immense offensive upside that makes him an intriguing prospect. He showcased just that by torching the Arizona Fall League after a knee injury limited him to just 40 Low-A games in 2024 and has kept the impressive slug rolling into 2025.

Offense

Starting upright and open with his bat rested on his shoulder, Briceño gathers into his back side with a big leg kick that is slow and controlled as he pulls his hands into his slot. Already standing at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Briceño repeats his moves well for such a young, big framed hitter, posting solidly average contact rates as a pro.

The exit velocities are also comfortably plus for Briceño, which has started to translate into consistent game power as he has improved his swing path. There was a clear shift upon returning form his knee injury, as he started to drive the ball in the air more consistently at the end of the 2024 regular season and carried that momentum into the Arizona Fall League where he paced all players with 10 home runs in just 25 games, including several tape measure shots to the pull side. He also put on quite a show in batting practice, demolishing home runs to all fields.

The added loft in his swing and his longer levers will likely result in a bit more whiff as he climbs levels, but his ability to recognize spin and above average feel for the zone help hedge strikeout concerns. It’s ultimately all about the game power for Briceño anyways and he now looks like he can launch 30+ homers if it all works out.

Defense/Speed

At the edge of outgrowing the position, Briceño’s receiving and blocking are below average, though he has made some progress as a pro, particularly in the catch and throw department where he threw out 30% of attempted base stealers in 2025. There’s a good chance Briceño ultimately moves to first base.

Outlook

It’s hard to argue against the batted ball data of Briceño and he has shown flashes of what can be an exciting offensive player. A move to first base surely puts more pressure on the bat, but with game power that could push beyond plus territory, he should be able to handle it. With what looks like at least a fringy hit tool and above average plate discipline, Briceño has the offensive ingredients to be an above average big league power bat and if he can catch once or twice per week that only helps his case. There’s plenty of similarities to Ben Rice.

5. Jordan Yost – SS – (CPX)

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 170 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (24), 2025 (DET) | ETA: 2029

While Yost signed for nearly $500,000 underslot, his $3.25 million signing bonus was still top 30 pick money as the skinny shortstop continued to endear himself to scouts the more he played in front of them. Yost has a high floor skill set with plenty of room for physical growth that can push his ceiling higher.

Hitting

It’s a simple operation for Yost in the box, sinking into his back side as he picks his front heel off of the ground. The hands are quiet and his barrel works well behind him, getting on plane early, but his hips can slide forward a bit at times which can cause more barrel drag than desired.

The repeatable nature of his swing with minimal variables points towards the potential for an above average hit tool, especially as Yost adds some strength and manages his lower half with more ease and consistency.

Yost’s approach is ahead of his years, which paired with his contact skills, should make him a consistent on base threat. It’s bottom of the scale power at this stage with Yost likely to always be a hit-over-power bat, but Yost has plenty of room for strength.

Defense/Speed

A plus runner, Yost compensates for an average arm with great hands, advanced instincts and impressive throwing accuracy. It wouldn’t be surprising for Yost to add some zip on his throws as he continues to mature, which could not only help his chances of sticking at shortstop, but project as above average out there. Between the speed and feel for the game Yost possesses, he should be a strong stolen base threat.

Outlook

There’s a lot to like with Yost’s game, offering a skill set that gives him a better chance than many of his peers to at least fill a big league role. A late bloomer who really started to turn heads during his senior season at Sickles High School in Tampa, the obvious room for more strength helps push his ceiling higher as well.

The two key variables to monitor in regards to Yost’s upside is if the defense can progress to above average at shortstop and whether he can tap into more than 30 grade pop. Yost has polish and intangibles to handle his pro debut well in 2026.

6. Michael Oliveto – C – (CPX)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 185 | Bat/Throw: L/R | CB-A Round (34), 2025 (DET) | ETA: 2029

A northeast prep standout, Oliveto really solidified himself as one of the top high school bats in the class after mashing on summer circuit. There’s potential for an intriguing blend of hit and power, especially if he can stick behind the dish.

Hitting

A relaxed setup with his feet about shoulder-width apart and his hands rested just above his shoulder, Oliveto has a smooth load, pulling his hands back in tandem with a toe tap and a barrel that gets on plane early. Oliveto already flashes some thump to the pull side, but can sell out to get there sometimes, resulting in him pushing onto his front side or spinning off prematurely.

More consistent lower-half control should likely come with more reps and he is clearly athletic and adjustable in the box. There’s potential for a valuable blend of hit and power with Oliveto and he has a good feel for the strike zone to complement.

Defense/Speed

Oliveto is raw defensively with an average arm, but he flashes both the athleticism and mobility to potentially grow into an average catcher. He’s an average runner. If he can’t stick behind the dish, Oliveto could potentially be mobile enough to get by in an outfield corner rather than the typical first base fall back.

Outlook

Oliveto’s blend of hit and power potential makes him a very intriguing prospect regardless of position, but if he can stick behind the dish, he has a chance to rise up the prospect ranks quickly. Even if he moves off of catcher, Oliveto has the offensive upside to be an above average regular if the hit tool translates the way that those are more bullish on him believe that it can.

It’s easy to envision the potential for above average power given his present ability to impact the baseball to the pull side and a 6-foot-3, 180 pound frame that has more room for strength. Even though he was technically a first round selection, Oliveto is a breakout name to watch in the Tigers system in 2026.

7. Thayron Liranzo – C – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 190 | Bat/Throw: S/R | IFA: $30K, 2021 (LAD) | ETA: 2027

It was a disappointing 2025 season for Liranzo as he struggled to get acclimated to Double-A and battled minor injury, but he entered the year as a top 100 prospect for good reason: he’s a switch-hitting catcher with plus power who has a decent chance to stick behind the dish.

Even with his struggles, the Tigers added Liranzo to the 40-man roster following the 2025 season with the hope that he can cut down on the whiff and progress further defensively in his second taste of the upper levels.

Offense

On the left side, Liranzo starts open with his hands high, featuring a big leg kick that he controls well. From the right side, his feet are more even to start and he sinks into his backside before a much smaller stride. Inconsistencies from the right side have resulted in Liranzo simplifying his moves, resulting in improved production.

Given his 2025 struggles, simplifying his operation on the left side of the box could be worth exploring in the pursuit of not only making more contact but also improving his swing decisions. A 63% contact rate and 32% strikeout rate left a bit to be desired in 2026. Liranzo really struggled with secondaries in 2025 and if he does not improve in that regard, it’s going to be hard to envision him hitting enough for his plus power to translate.

It is easily plus power though, running a Hard Hit rate of 50% and average exit velocity of 91.5 MPH. Liranzo hits the ball in the air at a decent clip as well with an average launch angle on Hard Hit balls of nearly 17 degrees. It’s all about whether Liranzo can make more contact as the quality is far from an issue.

Defense/Speed

A solid blocker, Liranzo moves decently well behind the dish, progressing into a respectable blocker. While his arm is plus, his catch and throw skills are still a work in progress, but he took a step forward in 2025, increasing his caught sealing rate by 10% to a respectable 24%, albeit in just 45 games as he battled shoulder tendinitis. His iffy pocket awareness can impact his framing at points as well.

His mobility and arm should make him passable at the position and his framing will look solid through stretches before the ball will just pop out of his glove a couple times per game. Overall, he should be able to get by at catcher.

Outlook

Liranzo provides a tantalizing profile as a switch-hitting catcher with plus power and decent shot at sticking behind the dish. It wont matter much if Liranzo doesn’t make more contact, but he will still just be 22 years old for the first half of the 2026 season as he gets a second look at upper level pitching.

If the contact skills and swing decisions improve some, Liranzo has a chance to be an intriguing bat-first catcher, but if he can continue to make gains behind the dish, he could take some of the pressure off of the potentially exciting bat. As disappointing as 2025 was, it would be fair to assume that Liranzo’s lingering shoulder tendinitis restricted his game some. He’s a bounce back candidate in 2026.

8. Hao-Yu Lee – 2B – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 5’8″, 205 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $570,000 2021 (PHI) | ETA: 2026

No particular part of Lee’s game stands out, but he also does not have a clear deficiency. If anything, the biggest hurdle for Lee has been proving he can handle a full season’s workload. He took a big step towards proving that by playing a career-high 126 games in 2025. The Tigers added him to the 40-man roster following the 2025 season.

Hitting

Starting with his feet shoulder-width apart, his hands above his ear flap, Lee sinks into his back side as he pulls his hands down and back behind his right knee. Between the hand load and a long stride that gains plenty of ground, Lee creates plenty of hip-shoulder separation, helping him generate more raw thump than his 5-foot-8 frame would suggest.

That said, his hands working so far behind him can result in some challenges getting the barrel on plane for velocity in the top half of the zone. In totality, he has been productive against fastballs, but Lee’s high zone whiff in the upper half of the zone could get exposed at the highest level. Lee hedges the issue but rarely chasing beyond the top of the zone.

The same aspects of his swing can make it difficult to pull the ball in the air as much as he’d like, though he hedges that with strong exit velocities and plenty of line drives. His average exit velocity of 90 MPH and EV90 of 105.5 were both comfortably above average and while the bat to ball is likely average at best, Lee elevates his offensive profile with above average plate discipline.

With a bit more improvement in the air pull department, Lee has the ability to push towards 20 homers. Right now, he projects to hover around 15 homers and a fair amount of doubles to complement.

Defense/Speed

Lee is a decent athlete, Lee has come along defensively, looking like an average defender at second base. The Tigers have mixed Lee in at third base as well, but he struggles a bit with throwing accuracy and looks more like a plug in option there at best. An average runner, Lee is savvy on the base paths. In 2024 and 2025 combined (233 games), Lee swiped 38 bags on 44 tries.

Outlook

Lee will have to squeeze every drop out of his power to be an every day second baseman, but he has a good shot to at least fill a big league role. Since the start of the 2024 season (185 PA), Lee has mashed lefties, slashing .314/.400/.535, making a short-platoon role easy to envision even if the power remains fringy. For that reason, Lee was an easy add to the Tigers 40 man roster following the 2025 season in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft as he will likely get a shot with the Tigers sometime in 2026.

9. Max Anderson – 2B/3B – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 5″11, 215 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (45), 2023 (DET) | ETA: 2026

It’s all about the bat with Anderson, but he has progressed enough defensively to make himself playable in the infield while turning in his best offensive season as a pro. Anderson is one of several bat first infielders in the upper minors for the Tigers, but he may have the most power between Hao-Yu Lee, Jace Jung and himself.

Hitting

Starting crouched with the bat rested on his shoulder and his weight slightly stacked towards his back side, Anderson pulls his hands up and back in tandem with a moderate stride. His simple moves are already repeatable but he will quiet down his hands even further with two strikes, helping him battle well when down to his last strike. Anderson’s zone-contact rate actually climbed from 78% with one strike or less to 85% with two strikes in 2025.

Anderson’s path was much improved in 2025, helping him get the ball in the air with more consistency as well as to the pull side. After hitting 11 homers in 121 High-A games in 2024, Anderson launched 19 long balls in 122 Double-A and Triple-A games in 2025 before tacking on four more in 14 Arizona Fall League contests.

Anderson uses his lower half effectively, consistently generating above average bat speed, evidenced by his average exit velocity of 91.5 MPH between Double-A and Triple-A. Because he is so productive against them, he can get a little overzealous against fastballs, but Anderson hedges that with an impressive ability to recognize spin, which also makes him tougher to strike out than most hitters with his contact rates.

With his improved batted ball angles and consistently hard contact, Anderson has the power potential to provide around 20 homers with what looks like an average hit tool to complement.

Defense/Speed

Looking like a potential DH candidate early in his pro career, Anderson has come a long way to be serviceable at second base. The Tigers also mixed him in at third base, where he is below average but has made enough progress to potentially be able to plug in in a pinch. Anderson is a below average runner but not a total clog on the base paths.

Outlook

Anderson is going to need to really hit to be a regular, but his 2025 season generated more optimism that he could do just that. Similar to Hao-Yu Lee, Anderson destroys left-handed pitching, turning in an OPS north of 1.000 in nearly 150 PA’s against southpaws between the upper minors and Arizona Fall League.

With the reasonable fall back of a short-platoon masher and a chance to contribute as soon as the first half of the 2026 season, Anderson was a no-brainer add to the 40 man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft. If it all works out, Anderson could be a bat-first second baseman who can hit 20 or so homers.

10. Cris Rodriguez – OF – (CPX)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 205 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $3.2M, 2025 (DET) | ETA: 2030

Huge power and good athleticism for a player of his size, Rodriguez provides plenty to dream on. That said, there’s a lot more that needs to get better and go right to get there or anywhere close.

Hitting

Starting with his front foot pigeon-toed and weight stacked towards his back side, Rodriguez uses a medium-sized gather to get deeper into his back side before stepping slightly into the bucket to get the barrel out. Leaking open with his front side, Rodriguez struggles to stay on pitches on the outer half, but hammers stuff inside.

He ran a 90th percentile exit velocity of 108 MPH in his age 17 season which is off of the charts, but his Hard Hit rate of 37% was not. The disparity in top-end exit velocities and the average quality of contact for Rodriguez is likely due to his inefficient mechanics and poor swing decisions.

Rodriguez’s 67% contact rate and near 40% chase rate in the DSL is cause for concern, but he’s also already capable of exceeding 113 MPH at 17 years old while launching 10 homers in his first 50 pro games. There’s also room for more strength in Rodriguez’s frame with even more impact to be added as he learns to use his lower half more effectively.

It’s impossible to project whether a hitter will improve their mechanics, but there’s at least optimism that a young hitter of his size is nimble enough to be able to do so given Rodriguez’s athleticism. There’s 70 grade power to dream on with Rodriguez, it’s just going to be a matter of whether he can curb his whiff and chase issues enough.

Defense/Speed

Rodriguez covers enough ground to justify giving him reps in centerfield. He has a pretty quick first step, but his routes are understandably still raw. If he can maintain his above average speed, Rodriguez has a shot to stick up the middle, but he more likely projects as a solid defender in a corner, where his range and plus arm should make him at least an average defender. Rodriguez is an above average runner, swiping 10 bags on 12 tries in 2025.

Outlook

Between Rodriguez’s volatile profile and how far off he is, it’s hard to provide a specific outlook. There’s a power/speed combination that could make him a dynamic everyday player, but there’s enough whiff and chase liability that he could also meet his match in full season ball. Rodriguez is a toolsy and physically projectable prospect who needs a lot of things to go right, but is worth the roll of the dice.

11. Jake Miller – LHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 185 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 8th Round (237), 2022 (DET) | ETA: 2027

Easily the most intriguing left-handed arm in a Tigers farm system that lacks much pitching depth, Miller has been effective when healthy, but that has been a significant caveat. Since being drafted in 2022, Miller has pitched just 157 1/3 innings. Miller was utterly dominant in a career-high 87 1/3 innings in 2024 and it was more of the same in the 20 innings he threw in 2025, earning him a spot on the 40 man roster with the Rule 5 Draft looming following the season.

Arsenal

A four pitch mix, Miller gets the most out of his stuff between some built in deception and above average command. He hides the ball well, staying closed late into his delivery with his arm being the last thing a hitter sees. It can make it particularly difficult for righties to pick up his mid 80s changeup, which was his best swing and miss pitch in 2024 while holding opponents to an OPS under .500. He struggled to find a feel for it in his limited 2025 action.

The fastball sits 92-94 MPH with some carry to it. His ability to hit his spots with the fastball paired with it getting on hitters a little bit more quickly than expected helps it play like at least an average pitch. He has a shorter slider that sits around 82-84 MPH along with a sweeper a few ticks slower that can push north of 20 inches of horizontal.

The sweeper is more of a left on left weapon, generating plenty of swings and misses against same-handed hitters. The slider is more versatile and effective against righties, but generally is not as good of a put away pitch.

Outlook

While Miller may not have a clear plus pitch, it’s a well-rounded arsenal that has resulted in even platoon splits paired with the command to make him a potentially solid back end starter. He will need to prove that he can stay healthy and handle a starter’s workload. Having only thrown 157 1/3 innings since being drafted in 2022, the workload aspect is a key variable and based on his arsenal and feel to pitch, he projects best in a back end starter role than the relief fall back.

Being that Miller is already on the 40 man roster heading into 2026, the timeline may be expedited a bit though, making Miller a middle-relief option in the shorter term to ease into big league action before potentially transitioning to a starter role if he responds well.

12. Kelvis Salcedo – RHP – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 255 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $70,000, 2023 (DET)  | ETA: 2029

A stout, hard-throwing right-hander, Salcedo broke out in 2025, dominating the Florida Complex League and earning a promotion to Low-A where he did not slow down. Between the two levels, Salcedo pitched to a 1.83 ERA in 68 2/3 innings with a 32.5% strikeout rate and 10% walk rate.

There’s some effort to his delivery with the tendency to fall off to the first base side, which can affect the consistency of his pitch shapes. The fastball averaged 95 MPH in 2025, but with less carry than the typical four seamer from his arm angle. The strike rate was solid (66%), however when he misses, he misses badly.

The secondaries are intriguing with his slurvy slider already looking like an above average pitch in the upper 80s along with a changeup also in the upper 80s that flashes as well. Salcedo’s mechanics and build point towards a fair amount of reliever risk, but his intriguing three pitch mix and success in 2025 have him as one of the more exciting arms to watch in the Tigers system heading into 2026.

13. Malachi Witherspoon – RHP – (CPX)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (62), 2025 (DET) | ETA: 2029

The twin brother of Red Sox first rounder Kyson Witherspoon, Malachi is a bit more of a work in progress but boasts plenty upside as well given his athleticism and live arm. The four seamer and sinker averaged just north of 96 MPH in his draft year, but the former lacked some desired life and both were inconsistent location wise likely due in part to the lag his arm features in his delivery.

The lag results in misses arm side and inconsistent shape, but the sheer velocity from a below average release height at least provides a path to a more effective heater, especially with the two variations. The sinker was an effective ground ball pitch with less devastating median contact quality, but opponents still posted solid numbers overall against it in Witherspoon’s draft year.

His breaking balls flash above average with the upper 80s slider being his most relied-upon secondary. For similar reasons to the fastball, Witherspoon could leave the pitch in harms way a bit more than desired and his depthier curveball was less consistently in the zone.

Between the sheer velocity of his fastballs and the flashes from his two breaking balls, Witherspoon has teased ingredients that make it reasonable to project a viable big league starter if things go right.

14. Andrew Sears – LHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 235 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 10th Round (237), 2023 (DET) | ETA: 2027

Sears followed up his breakout 2024 season with a strong 2025, pitching to a 2.95 ERA in 82 1/3 High-A before finishing out the season with a handful of starts at Double-A. Though he has worked as a starter mostly, Sears may project best as a left-handed reliever as it is mostly a two pitch mix.

His 93-95 MPH fastball plays up from his above average extension and below average release height. Sears commands his fastball and 82-84 MPH slider well, boasting a 70% strike rate between the two. The specs on the slider do not jump off of the page, but between his feel to locate it and his release characteristics, it plays like an above average pitch.

The changeup lags behind in both quality and command, placing a lot of importance on Sears slider command against right-handed hitters. He projects best as a left-handed reliever or swing man whose stuff would likely tick up a bit in shorter spurts. Having held left-handed hitters to a .595 OPS in 2025, Sears looks like at least a decent left on left option.

15. John Peck – SS – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6″0, 205 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 7th Round (200), 2023 (DET) | ETA: 2027

A sound defender all over the infield, Peck looks the part of a utility piece but flashed enough pop in 2025 to provide a bit more to dream on. Peck’s raw pop had always been underrated because of his batted ball angles, producing an average exit velocity of 91 MPH in 2025, but with a launch angle of five degrees and a ground ball rate north of 50%.

Peck increased his slug in 2025 by nearly doubling his average launch angle and cutting the ground ball rate by roughly 5%. He’s an aggressive hitter with a fringy hit tool, but the strikeout rate dropped as his season progressed, even with a Double-A promotion baked in.

He has above average range and arm paired with good hands and instincts, giving him the goods to be an above average defender at short who provides value all over the infield. Peck looks like an infield utility piece who could hit his way into a more prominent role if everything comes together.

16. Eduardo Valencia – C/1B – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 185 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $10,000, 2018 (DET) | ETA: 2026

Valencia may have been the biggest breakout in the Tigers system in 2025. He entered the season with a career .693 OPS at mostly Low-A and the Complex Leagues between 2018 and 2024, mostly being treated like organizational depth rather than a prospect, which was not aided by his 2023 injury that limited him to just eight games.

Aside from playing by far the most games he has in a pro season (103), Valencia made huge gains in the swing decisions department and his quality of contact. The result was a .311/.382/.559 slash with 24 HR in nearly an equal split of games between Double-A and Triple-A before being added to the Tigers 40 man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.

Cutting his ground ball rate by nearly 10% paired with a 51% hard hit rate resulted in plenty of game power. Throw in vastly improved ability to recognize spin in his first taste of the upper levels and a strikeout rate that hovered at just 20% and there’s more reason to believe that the bat can translate at the highest level.

He may ultimately be a part time catcher and is a bottom-of-the-scale runner, but Valencia can also plug in at first base where he is not particularly rangy but has good hands. Valencia showcased enough improvements to go from afterthought to the 40 man roster heading into 2026 and could very well be the third man on the depth chart if he looks steady enough defensively during Spring Training and in the early going of the season.

Other Names to Watch

Trei Cruz – UTIL – (Triple-A): A standout at Rice University with strong baseball bloodlines, Cruz was a third round selection by the Tigers in 2020, putting up pedestrian numbers through his first four pro seasons before breaking out in 2025. Cruz posted an OPS of .867 between Double-A and Triple-A while playing all over the diamond. The majority of his reps came at shortstop and centerfield, likely playing a part in his addition to the Tigers 40 man roster following the 2025 season.

There’s some swing and miss in Cruz’s game, but he offers plus plate discipline and average pop to hedge. His defensive versatility and at least decent offensive components should make him a decent big league utility option.

Owen Hall – RHP – (Low-A): A second round pick in 2024, Hall opted to sign with the Tigers for $1.75 million instead of heading to Vanderbilt. He made his pro debut in 2025, but was shut down after just four starts due to a shoulder issue. He has a high spin rate fastball that averaged 93.5 MPH in his nine combined innings with the gyro slider flashing above average and a changeup that is a work in progress. It’s a matter of getting healthy for Hall, but there’s arm talent to dream on.

Jaden Hamm – RHP – (Double-A): A fifth round pick in 2023, Hamm was very effective at the lower levels before struggling a bit at Double-A in 2025 as he battled through an injury that tempered his velocity. When healthy, Hamm will sit in the low 90s, averaging 92.7 MPH with his fastball in 2024. The fastball performs better than most at that velocity thanks to the plus carry it features and his unique delivery. His shoulders tilt all the way back as he winds up, almost looking like he’s going to throw the ball 20 rows deep behind home plate before snapping back over with the high carry heater.

His high release point (6.5 feet) chips away at the perceived ride some, but averaging nearly 20 inches of IVB, the fastball still plays well at the top of the zone. His mid 80s slider and low 80s changeup performed best off of it, but both are likely just average offerings with a decent curveball that he will mix in. Unless Hamm sees a velocity jump, he likely projects as a depth arm with No. 5 upside.

Ben Jacobs – LHP – (CPX): A third round pick by the Tigers in 2025, Jacobs started his collegiate career at UCLA before transferring to Arizona State for the next two where he blossomed into the Sun Devils Friday night guy. Averaging just 92 MPH on the fastball, Jacobs missed plenty of bats thanks to the above average carry he generates from a below average release height.

Jacobs fills the zone up with his fastball, but is still finding a consistent feel for his secondaries. The slider was his most reliable secondary, though it looks more like an average pitch while his splitter flashes above average with much less zone consistency. Striking out 33% of batters in 2025, Jacobs has the stuff to be a back end starter if he can find a more consistent feel for the zone.

Franyerber Montilla – INF – (Low-A): Montilla will turn 21-years-old shortly after Opening Day, as he will presumably get his first taste of High-A in 2026. The switch hitter was a $500,000 IFA signing for the Tigers in the 2022 class, but it took him two years to get stateside after struggling mightily in his first DSL taste in ’22.

He mashed his way off of the Florida Complex League in ’24 and turned in solid numbers in 73 Low-A games in 2025 (.763 OPS), but was limited by injury. Montilla’s glove will likely carry him as he looks like an above average defender all over the infield. The bat to ball and power are both fringy though, giving Montilla more of a bench outlook.

Izaac Pacheco – 3B – (High-A): After struggling through his first four pro seasons, Pacheco put things together in High-A in 2025, posting a 155 wRC+ while cutting his strikeout rate below 30%. While there’s still too much swing and miss, he put his power on display by launching 17 homers in 99 games with a Hard Hit rate of 53%. The power is plus and the swing decisions improved, but his 67% contact rate in High-A provides some concern that Pacheco may struggle to maintain his success at the upper levels.

Dylan Smith – RHP – (MLB): Smith made the transition to the bullpen in 2025 and the results were encouraging. The right-hander pitched to a 2.27 ERA across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A before reaching the big leagues for 13 innings where he only allowed two earned runs. His mid 90s cut-ride fastball picks up above average whiff within the zone and chase while the mid 80s sweeper is a plus pitch.

The command is still fringy (11% walk rate in 2025), but his ability to limit production made it less of an issue. Opponents hit just .162/.266/.214 against Smith across the three Minor League levels and the big leagues last season, with both lefties and righties posting an OPS below .500. Smith looks the part of a solid middle-relief option who is capable of stretching out multiple innings. If his command comes along a bit further, Smith could pitch is way into a higher leverage role given the quality of his fastball and sweeper.

Paul Wilson – LHP – (CPX): A 6-foot-3 southpaw with intriguing projection and bloodlines, Wilson’s father Trevor Wilson was a big league left-hander for parts of eight seasons. The Tigers shelled out $1.7 million to sign Wilson away from Oregon State in the 2023 draft, nearly twice the slot value of his selection.

Wilson struggled mightily in his first professional taste this in 2024, but added strength that offseason and showed up to Spring Training with a fastball that was several ticks harder. Wilson averaged 94 MPH through his first three starts before tearing his UCL and requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery. The three tick leap from the left side was an exciting trend and if he can maintain his newfound mid 90s velocity on the other side of TJ, Wilson will still be an arm worth monitoring.