Tigers Top 15 Prospects For 2024

A new era of Detroit Tigers baseball is upon us, with homegrown talent galore making its presence felt at Comerica Park. First round hits from the Al Avila era are producing in the big leagues, like Spencer Torkelson (2020), Riley Greene (2019), and the newly-healthy Casey Mize (2018), while his last two first round picks in Jackson Jobe (2021) and Jace Jung (2022) are knocking on the door. Not to mention, later round gems have as much star power as anyone on the roster, highlighted by newfound ace Tarik Skubal (ninth round, 2018) and slugger Kerry Carpenter (19th round, 2018).

2024 marks the second full season for new President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris, and he has already injected this solid farm system with even more firepower, including two of their top five prospects. While it may not feel like it entirely just yet, the Detroit Tigers seem to be in one of the best positions moving forward in all of Major League Baseball.

1. Jackson Jobe – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 195 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (3), 2021 | ETA: 2025

FASTBALL	SLIDER	Cutter	CHANGEUP	COMMAND	FV
60/70	60/70	50/55	50/60	55/60	60

The top prep arm in the 2021 Draft, Jobe boasts lively stuff and is a premium athlete on the mound. After dealing with a back issue that delayed the start of his 2023 season, Jobe returned looking better than ever.

Check out our conversation with Jackson Jobe!

Arsenal

Viewed as a candidate to climb relatively quickly, Jobe’s stay in Low-A was longer than planned due to somewhat inconsistent fastball command and lower than expected chase rates on his slider. Still, the potential was more than evident.

Jobe’s fastball sits 95-97 MPH, with solid life and carry. Averaging around 18 inches of induced vertical break, the fastball plays well at the top of the zone, but he has also improved his ability to spot strikes at the bottom.

Jobe’s mid-80s slider is his best pitch. Averaging around 15 inches of horizontal break at more than 3,000 RPM, the pitch featured so much break that he had trouble locating it consistently in the early going of his professional career. He has since found much more consistency with it, having the confidence to throw it for a strike on both sides of the plate while not having much fear of leaving it over the middle because of how sharp and late the break is.

The third pitch for Jobe is a changeup that has flashed above average in the 85-87 MPH range. He has adjusted his grip on the pitch to more of a split grip that keeps the spin under 2,000 RPMs with good arm side fade. Much like the rest of his arsenal, Jobe’s mechanical improvements have helped him throw it for a strike far more frequently.

Rounding out the arsenal for Jobe is a cutter in the low 90s that he added ahead of the 2023 season. He only mixes it in around 10% of the time, but it gives him another look against hitters from both sides of the plate. With shorter break, it is easier to spot for Jobe and his ability to supinate should make it an above average pitch as he throws it more.

Outlook

Jobe had the looks of one of the most polished high school arms we had seen in a while before a couple hiccups in his first pro season and an unfortunate injury ahead of 2023. Now healthy and looking far more comfortable than he did last year, Jobe mentioned the silver-lining of his injury layoff that allowed him to work on things.

He likely could have returned much sooner in the 2023 season, but the Tigers understandably wanted to be cautious with their prized pitching prospect, and as a result, he was able to throw plenty in a control environment before he took the field again in a game setting. Jobe even mentioned in an interview on Just Baseball’s prospect podcast “The Call Up” how valuable that time was for him as a silver-lining.

His improved ability to get his momentum working towards home plate has resulted in not only an uptick in stuff, but an uptick in strikes. In terms of sheer talent, Jobe is one of the best pitching prospects in the game and it looks like he his starting to put it all together on the field.

Read More: Now Healthy, Jackson Jobe is Making Up For Lost Time

2. Colt Keith – 2B – (MLB)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 220 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 5th Round (132), 2020 (DET) | ETA: 2024

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
55/55	50/50	55/60	40/40	40/45	60

Viewed as an advanced prep bat when he was drafted in 2020, Keith has since added around 30 pounds of muscle and is already seeing it translate into much more game power. Though his defensive home is in question, Keith’s hit/power combination gives him a solid offensive floor with plenty to be excited about.

Offense

Keith starts with a slightly open and upright stance before sinking into his back leg with a gathering toe tap. He already uses his explosive lower half really well and has an extremely quick bat which still seems to live in the zone forever.

Boasting easy plus power, Keith has already posted exit velocities above 110 MPH on a handful of occasions with a 90th percentile exit velocity of 105.5 MPH. He effectively translates the high-end exit velocities into game power, consistently driving the ball in the air with carry to all fields.

As he has continued to add strength, Keith has not lost his barrel adjustability and overall feel to hit that turned the heads of scouts as a much more wiry high schooler. Already posting solid splits against lefties with a patient approach that helps him walk at a high clip, Keith has the chance to be an everyday middle of the order bat by blending above average hit with plus power.

Defense/Speed

Drafted as a third baseman, Keith has played most of his games at third base with a decent chunk at second as well. He projects as a below average fielder at either spot, lacking lateral quickness along with shaky actions and sub par footwork. He has the tendency to pat his glove multiple times when he fields the ball, but has a plus arm to help him out.

A hard worker with impressive makeup, the Tigers are holding out hope that Keith can continue to develop at the hot corner, but it seems unlikely that he will be anything but a fringy defender. Keith’s run times are a bit below average.

Outlook

Essentially all of Keith’s value comes from his bat, but he boasts an exciting offensive profile and seems to get better with the stick every time you check in. Reaching Triple-A as a 21-year-old prep power bat is impressive in itself, but is even more remarkable considering the fact that he had a delayed start to his pro career as a 2020 draftee and had his 2022 season cut to 48 games due to injury.

He didn’t only reach Triple-A quickly, he continued to mash there as well. Keith’s polish was so evident that the Tigers signed him to a rare pre-debut extension that guarantees him $28.6 million over six years with a chance to become $82 million over nine years.

Keith has a chance to be kind of hitter with a rare blend of contact and power, along with the patience at the plate to get on base at a high clip. Put simply, he’s one of the best hitters with prospect eligibility and should slot right into the Tigers infield to start 2024.

3. Max Clark – OF – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 195 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 1st Round (3), 2023 (DET) | ETA: 2027

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
45/60	50/55	35/45	70/70	60/70	55

A superb athlete who gets the most out of his frame, Clark flies, has a rocket for an arm and makes plenty of contact.

Offense

Starting with a wide, crouched stance, Clark boasts impressive hip mobility and gets himself into a powerful hitting position with a weight shift into his back hip and minimal stride. His twitch, wiry strength and athleticism help him produce plus bat speed with ease. He made some tweaks to his set up and swing after his pro debut, incorporating a more pronounced leg kick with his hands in a higher position and his bat at a flatter angle.

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. Clark’s swing is more geared for line drives, helping him get to high-carry fastballs at the top of the zone, but like many good left-handed hitters, he can really drive balls at the bottom of the zone.

Between his quickness to the ball, simple moves and feel for the barrel, it’s easy to see a potential plus hit tool for Clark. He already flashed exit velocities of 105 MPH on a home run in his first week at the Tigers’ complex, but the jury is still out on how much power he will ultimately hit for. What is not debatable is the fact that there is gap to gap power for Clark at the very least.

Defense/Speed

A plus plus runner with a strong arm, Clark has the tools to be a superb defender in centerfield. He tracks balls well and has an excellent first step. 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

It’s rare to find a prep prospect as athletic as Clark is while still having the polish that he has shown in the box. It will be interesting to see if his adjustments help him create a bit more loft and impact. Already with a good feel for the barrel and an advanced approach, increased power output could really have Clark flirting with the five tool player label. Clark one of the most exciting young outfield prospects in the game, but his present abilities make him a high probability big leaguer relative to his peers.

4. Jace Jung – 2B/3B – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 205 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (12), 2022 (DET) | ETA: 2025

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
40/45	50/50	55/60	40/40	40/45	55

The younger brother of Josh Jung, Jace also provides a lot to be excited about offensively with good power from the left side and a knack for getting on base.

Offense

A unique setup, Jung starts with his bat angled diagonally and wrist cocked. His grip of the bat is reminiscent to a golf grip and his back knee starts angled towards the catcher. While setup is unorthodox, it puts him close to his desired launch position, featuring minimal pre-swing movement.

Jung hardly moves his hands from where he sets up, other than a small rhythmic move. The bat-angle he creates in his setup allows him to snap the barrel behind him with the barrel entering the zone early and staying through it for a long time.

The angle Jung creates helps him drive the ball in the air consistently, translating every bit of his above average raw power into above average game power. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 104.5 MPH is comfortably above average, but his low ground ball rate of 36% was a large reason why he was able to run into 28 homers in 2023.

With a 78% zone contact rate, there is some whiff with Jung, but he hedges that with a good approach and ability to draw walks, picking up free passes at a 14% clip as a pro.

Defense/Speed

A below average runner, Jung lacks the range desired to be a strong defender in the infield, but does have an above average arm and good hands. His instincts and overall feel for the game compensate for his limitations, providing enough reason to believe that he can be a passable defender at second base or third base. He predominantly played second base during the regular season, but has seen more action at the hot corner in the Arizona Fall League.

Outlook

It’s an offensive-driven profile with Jung, but 28 homers and a .376 on base percentage in his first full professional season is more than enough to carry any bat-first prospect. With his ability to drive the ball in the air consistently and solid exit velocities, it’s easy to see Jung continue to produce above average game power at least.

The questions will be whether he can keep the whiff in check at the upper levels, and where his defensive home will ultimately be.

5. Kevin McGonigle – SS/2B – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 5’11”, 185 | Bat/Throw: L/R | CB-A (37) – 2023 (DET) | ETA: 2026

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
55/65	60/60	30/45	55/55	40/50	55

Ahead of his years at the plate with impressive overall baseball instincts, McGonigle adjusted to pro ball seamlessly and looks like he could climb quickly.

Offense

A wide, slightly open setup, McGonigle starts well into his legs and uses a toe tap load as his weight shifts into his backside. With two strikes, he will get even deeper into his lower half in his set up while choking up a bit on the bat.

A short, quick swing, McGonigle has an excellent feel for the barrel with the adjustability to get to tough pitches in various spots. An extremely patient hitter, McGonigle only chased around 13% of pitches in his pro debut and walked more than he struck out.

While the power just flashes average at this point, McGonigle can spray balls with some authority to all fields. He already looks comfortable in left-on-left matchups, staying on breaking balls while still turning around velocity in. Between his bat to ball skills and approach, McGonigle has a great chance to develop into a plus hitter and could add close to average power.

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. 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 be capable of sticking there thanks to his strong actions and feel for the game. If he moves to second base, he’d be an above average defender there.

Outlook

Already looking like a steal in the compensation round of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Tigers shelled out $2.85 million ($500K over slot) to sign him away from Auburn. We only have a 24-game sample to work with at this point, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a bad at-bat in that span, and he stood out against fellow first-rounders Noble Meyer and Thomas White as well as some rehabbing big leaguers.

McGonigle similarly stuck out against elite competition when playing against top arms for Team USA and the summer circuit. With his track record and early performance, he is a candidate to climb quickly. He goods to be a top of the order threat who can play all over the infield.

6. Ty Madden – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 215 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round-A (32), 2021 (DET) | ETA: 2024

FASTBALL	SLIDER	Cutter	CHANGEUP	Curveball	COMMAND	FV
60/60	60/60	50/50	40/50	40/40	50/50	50+

Good stuff and great intangibles, Madden knows how to pitch and has put up great numbers at every stop of his baseball career.

Arsenal

A five pitch mix, Madden’s fastball and slider stand out above the rest. His fastball sits 94-96 MPH with decent ride, touching 99 MPH, and he will lean on the heater just less than 50% of the time. His best out-pitch is a plus slider at 83-85 MPH with gyro break. He has a great feel for it frequently landing it for a strike to both lefties and righties.

Madden has a chance for at least two more average offerings, with his upper 80s cutter already looking the part. He will use the cutter a bit more to left-handed hitters, using it effectively to get contact on the ground. His mid 80s changeup flashes average, but has been inconsistent as a pro. The pitch has slowly trended in the right direction and should give him a decent fourth option. He will also mix in a taste-breaking curve that is good for stealing strikes and not much more.

Outlook

Though Madden’s walk rate was slightly inflated in 2023, he offset that with louder stuff and a higher strikeout rate. His track record of throwing enough strikes and improved pitch quality across his entire arsenal have him tracking like a high probability No. 4 starter with a chance to be a middle-rotation arm. His plus makeup and baseball IQ help his case too.

7. Troy Melton – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 4th Round (117), 2022 (DET) | ETA: 2025

FASTBALL	SLIDER	CHANGEUP	Curveball	COMMAND	FV
55/55	50/55	45/55	30/40	50/55	50

An uptick in stuff and an improved feel to pitch helped Melton break out in 2023. He is tracking like a back end starter.

Arsenal

A big and powerful right-hander, Melton adjusted his delivery, getting his energy working towards home more effectively with a shorter arm path. Not only did Melton begin to fill up the zone more, but he saw his average fastball velocity jump from to 95.5 MPH in 2023.

Though the fastball shape is rather average, it has flashed plus, touching the upper 90s. When he is sitting in the mid 90s, it is closer to an above average heater. He has a good feel for his low 80s sweepy slider that he will manipulate into a harder, shorter cutter as well.

His changeup has flashed above average at 86-88 mph, picking up the best whiff numbers out of his offerings, but he does not command it quite as well. He will mix in an occasional mix 70s curveball.

Outlook

A fourth round pick in 2022, Melton saw things click in his fourth year at San Diego State, cutting his ERA from 6.14 as a junior to 2.07 as a senior. He clearly carried that momentum into his pro debut, putting up fantastic numbers between Low-A and High-A while tossing a career-high 92 innings (previous highest total was 73 1/3 IP as a junior).

There’s potential for an above average three pitch mix with good command that could settle him in the back of the Tigers rotation as soon as 2025. If he can’t miss bats at a similar clip at the upper-levels, there’s a useful swing-man/reliever fall back.

8. Sawyer Gipson-Long – RHP – (MLB)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 4th Round (117), 2022 (DET) | ETA: 2025

FASTBALL	SLIDER	CHANGEUP	Cutter	COMMAND	FV
50/50	55/55	55/55	30/40	50/55	50

After a couple decent Minor League seasons, Gipson-Long saw his stuff tick up and found an improved feel for his changeup. The result was big strikeout numbers in Triple-A and an impressive MLB debut. Unfortunately, he will miss the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Arsenal

Gipson-Long features a four seamer at 92-95 MPH as well as a sinker at 92-93 MPH that averages around 15 inches of horizontal run. While the four seamer does not have eye-popping characteristics, it plays up a bit at the top of the zone from his 5.3 foot release height and above average extension.

Both his slider and changeup are above average secondaries. The slider has been there for him throughout his professional career and was as effective as ever in 2023, as he threw it a tick harder and commanded it extremely well (68% strike rate).

The changeup had flashed plenty in the past, but had not been there for him consistently until the back half of last season. The pitch was particularly useful for him in his four MLB starts, killing spin effectively into the 1,300 RPM range helping it drop and fade. He will mix in an upper 80s cutter to lefties on occasion as well.

9. Justyn-Henry Malloy – OF – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 205 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 6th Round (187), 2021 (ATL) | ETA: 2024

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
40/40	70/70	50/50	45/45	40/45	45+

One of the most disciplined hitters in professional baseball, Malloy grinds out at bats with just enough power and feel to hit to potentially be a regular.

Offense

Starting somewhat crouched and with his hands low, Malloy gets into his back side well and works uphill, which helps him elevate consistently. Launching from such a low hand position can result in some challenges with the top third of the zone, but his superb plate discipline helps hedge that.

While the exit velocities are average for Malloy, he does a good job of generating carry to his pull side and with his consistent ability to elevate gives him 20 home run upside. He also leverages his advantage counts effectively. Even though the contact rates are fringy and his willingness to go deep into counts can result in a somewhat elevated strikeout rate, he rarely gives away at bats.

The fringy hit tool puts some pressure on Malloy’s ability to tap into at least average game power. The fact that Malloy lead all of professional baseball with 110 walks in 2023 helps bolster his offensive profile as well.

Check out our conversation with Justyn-Henry Malloy!

Defense/Speed

Initially drafted as a third baseman, the Tigers have shifted Malloy’s focus to the outfield where he could provide average defense. His above average arm helps his case in a corner as well. A fringe-average runner, Malloy is neither much of a base-stealing threat or a clogger.

Outlook

If Malloy can provide at least average power and average defense in the outfield, his ability to get on base should make him a solid regular. While his challenges with pitches at the upper third is something to monitor at the highest level, there are plenty of successful big league hitters who hedge blue zones with great plate discipline and Malloy could very well do the same. He has a chance to be an on base machine with just enough impact to be an above average regular.

10. Josue Briceño – C/1B – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 200 | Bat/Throw: L/R | IFA: $800K, 2022 (DET) | ETA: 2026

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
40/50	45/55	40/55	30/30	30/40	45+

He may not stick behind the dish, but Briceño’s offensive upside that makes him an intriguing prospect.

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 above average contact rates as a pro.

The exit velocities are also above average for Briceño, however that has not resulted in game power yet, in part because of the tough hitter’s environment he has played in thus far, but also because of his flat path. There’s definitely power to dream on as he learns to create more leverage and catch the ball a bit further out front as his contact points tend to be deep. While it’s early for Briceño, it’s hard to ignore the offensive upside if he cleans some things up.

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. His arm is average but his catch and throw can be a bit choppy. 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 there’s enough to dream on there from power perspective. With what looks like at least an average hit tool and above average plate discipline, Briceño has the offensive ingredients to shoulder a move to first as he learns how to tap into his power in games more.

11. Justice Bigbie – OF – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 19th Round (555), 2021 (DET) | ETA: 2024

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
50/50	45/45	50/50	40/40	40/40	45+

A bit of a data darling offensively, Bigbie impressively posted an in-zone contact rate of 85% along with a 90th percentile exit velocity just below 106 MPH in 2023. While Bigbie hits the ball hard, it’s mostly the other way, working inside of the baseball with a path that may make it difficult to turn around hard stuff inside at the highest level.

That said, he has a good feel for the barrel and it’s hard to argue against his .942 OPS across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A in 2023. Bigbie’s fringy arm and speed limits his defensive utility in a corner, but he’s not a liability out there. He has seen some action at first base too.

Check out our conversation with Justice Bigbie!

12. Hao-Yu Lee – 2B – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 5’9″, 195 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $500K, 2021 (PHI) | ETA: 2025

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
50/55	50/55	35/45	45/45	40/50	45+

Acquired from the Phillies in exchange for Michael Lorenzen, Lee is an offensive-minded second baseman with some sneaky pop.

Offense

Already starting somewhat crouched, Lee really sinks into his base as he loads but otherwise has a simple pre-swing operation. Lee has a good feel for the barrel with a compact stroke that enters the zone early, helping him get to pitches in tough spots. While he has not slugged a ton as a pro, Lee has a knack for finding the gaps and posts average exit velocities with flashes of a bit more.

Walking more than 11% of the time as a pro with a strikeout rate below 20%, Lee has a good feel for the strike zone. Standing at just 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, there’s probably not much more impact to dream on with Lee, but a litany of injuries over the years have likely worked against his power output some.

Defense/Speed

An average runner, Lee is savvy on the base paths and picks his spots to run well. He was 16-for-21 on stolen bases in 2023 in just 72 games. Though he has improved his range as a pro, the odds were always stacked against him in regards to sticking at shortstop. Now predominantly playing second base, Lee’s arm is above average for the position with much more fluid actions and great instincts that compensate for what can be clunky footwork at times. He has the ability to plug in at third base as well with passable defense.

Outlook

Lee may not be the sexiest prospect, but he offers above average offensive upside at second base with the instincts and baseball IQ to get the most out of his skill set. Health will be important for Lee as he has just played just 177 games since signing in 2021, dealing with several injuries over the years. Still just 21 years old, Lee has a chance to be an everyday big league second baseman with the fall back of a solid platoon piece who crushes lefties.

13. Keider Montero – RHP – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/L | IFA: $40,000, 2016 (DET) | ETA: 2024

FASTBALL	SLIDER	Curveball	Changeup	COMMAND	FV
55/55	55/55	50/50	40/45	40/45	45+

After pitching well at the lower levels as a teenager, Montero started to struggle as he climbed and was left unprotected in the 2021 and 2022 Rule 5 Drafts. Still just 22 years old last season, things clicked for Montero, ripping through High-A and then enjoying nice stretches in Double-A and Triple-A before being added to the 40-man roster last November.

Montero’s mid 90s fastball and slider are above average big league offerings and his curveball gives him a quality third option. His changeup has flashed as well, but can really get away from him at times. While the stuff is good enough to be a back end starter, Montero’s command may make him more of a swing man.

14. Paul Wilson – LHP – (CPX)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/L | 3rd Round (76), 2023 (DET) | ETA: 2027

FASTBALL	SLIDER	Curveball	Changeup	COMMAND	FV
50/55	50/60	40/50	40/40	35/45	45

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

His fastball and slider project well, sitting in the low 90s with room for more with his four seamer with good ride. His slider gets plenty of sweep in the 78-82 mph range. He’ll also mix in a curveball in the low 70s. He’s still learning to sync up his delivery and can tend to pull off to his glove side. There’s plenty of upside with Wilson, but he’ll require some patience.

15. Dillon Dingler – C – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (38), 2020 (DET) | ETA: 2024

HIT	Plate Disc.	GAME POWER	RUN	FIELD	FV
30/35	40/40	50/55	50/50	55/55	45

A litany of injuries have held Dingler back over the last couple seasons, dealing with knee surgery and a broken hamate among other ailments. Dingler was the most athletic catcher in the 2020 class, also playing centerfield for Ohio State. There’s plenty of swing and miss in his game, but it comes with above average power.

Dingler boasts a plus arm and moves well behind the dish, giving him at least above average defense. At the very least, he looks like a high-end back up or fringe starter. There’s plenty of reason to believe that Dingler can be an everyday catcher, however.

Other Names to Watch

Max Anderson – 2B – (High-A): The Tigers’ second round pick out of the University of Nebraska last year, Anderson rode a breakout Junior season to a nice payday and a shot near the top of the draft. In his last year on campus, Anderson slashed .414/.461/.771 with 21 home runs and just 29 strikeouts in 57 games with the Cornhuskers. After a solid start to his pro career in Low-A last summer, Anderson has struggled out of the gates with West Michigan this season. Still, an above average feel to hit should have Anderson as a high-probability big leaguer without overwhelming defensive value.

Blake Dickerson – LHP – (Complex): Dickerson was initially selected in the 12th round of last year’s draft by San Diego, but Detroit acquired him from the Padres in February for $500,000 worth of international pool money — the same dollar amount that pulled him away from his Virginia Tech commitment outside of the bonus pool rounds last summer. The Virginia native is a long-limbed 6-foot-6 and uses his long arms and legs to create whip from an already-closed windup. His low-90s fastball could play up with how quickly it may get on hitters.

Wilmer Flores – RHP – (Triple-A): The flame-throwing Flores has made the move to the bullpen with Triple-A Toledo to begin the season, and things haven’t been sunshine and rainbows in the command department, walking 10 hitters in his first 11.2 IP of the year. Command wasn’t even remotely close to an issue in his breakout season in 2022, when Flores walked just 23 hitters in 103.1 IP. The big-bodied right-hander has ticked up to the high 90’s out of the bullpen, with his downer curveball still generating plenty of whiff and soft contact. With shorter spurts being the norm moving forward, the newly-turned 23-year-old could jump into the red-hot Tigers bullpen whenever they want/need him.

Brant Hurter – LHP – (Triple-A): Brant Hurter is a massive human, standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 250 pounds. However, the 25-year-old Hurter doesn’t throw like the power pitcher his physique may suggest. Hurter is a command-oriented arm that tries to dot his low-90s sinker, and won’t generate much whiff whatsoever with the pitch. He has leaned further into his sweeper, which will sit around 80 and can generate whiff, both in-zone and with chases. While his upside may be limited, Hurter can be a sinker/slider spot starter if Detroit needs him this summer.

Enrique Jimenez – C – (DSL): A young catcher, the 18-year-old Jimenez saw a good bit of time at first base in addition to behind the plate in his first taste of professional baseball in the Dominican Summer League last year. No matter where he was defensively, Jimenez was providing offensive production, slashing .277/.388/.418 in his 46 games last year. The Venezuelan backstop should be given the opportunity to come stateside for the first time this season, and may even hit enough to make it to an affiliate in 2024.

Eddys Leonard – INF – (Triple-A): While Leonard was a 40-Man Roster clearance by the Dodgers last July, he has proven to be valuable to the Tigers since Detroit purchased him from Los Angeles while he was in DFA limbo. Leonard found new life in his 40 games in the Tigers system last year post-purchase, slashing .302/.374/.530 for Triple-A Toeldo. While he’s currently sidelined with an oblique strain, Leonard has proven capable of playing second base, third base, shortstop center field when he is available. His ceiling may not be tantalizingly high, but Leonard could have the makings of an average big league utility man.

Tyler Mattison – RHP – (Double-A): Though sidelined with Tommy John surgery that he underwent in March, Mattison’s bullpen profile is too good to keep off of this list. The 24-year-old was the Tigers’ fourth round pick in 2021 out of Bryant University in Rhode Island, and he made the move to the bullpen full-time shortly after being selected. 2023 was Mattison’s breakout season, logging a 2.41 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 59.2 IP between High-A and Double-A. The 6-foot-4 right-hander will sit in the mid 90’s and grab the upper 90’s with his heater in short spurts, complementing the fastball with a pair of breaking pitches that can flash plus. When Mattison gets healthy, he could contend for a bullpen spot in 2025.

Wenceel Pérez – OF – (MLB): If not for Eddys Leonard’s oblique injury, we could have seen a different name on the names to watch with an “MLB” level associated with them. However, the big league call-up was incredibly well-deserved for Pérez, who has been a Tigers farmhand since 2017. His tools aren’t exceptionally loud in any particular area, but Pérez’s well-rounded game with plus speed allows him ample opportunity across the outfield at whichever level he’s been at over the last few seasons. If given a full season at the big league level, Pérez could swipe 20-25 bags and be a threat for 10+ home runs, all while not punching out at the problematic clip.