Format = Place Participant | Age on 4/1/2025 | Highest Stage Performed | Estimated Time of Arrival
1. RHP Jackson Jobe | 22 | MLB | 2024
At his greatest, Jobe pairs impeccable command with unbelievable spin charges. His four-pitch combine is headlined by a hungry four-seamer that eats all around the strike zone, the place he may must reside somewhat extra going ahead, at the same time as he managed a 1.95 ERA and 1.04 WHIP regardless of a 4.64 BB/9 price throughout 73.2 Double-A innings. He allowed simply two house runs over that stretch. He’ll virtually actually seem like one of many staff’s 5 greatest starters in spring coaching, however he’s thrown simply 13 innings above Double-A, so there’s not less than an opportunity he opens the season in Triple-A. The title itself portends not less than somewhat struggling earlier than reaching the promised land.
2. OF Max Clark | 20 | A+ | 2026
Maybe he didn’t gentle the world afire as one may anticipate a third-overall draft choose to do, however Clark’s first full professional season was a particular success. In 107 video games throughout two ranges, the 6’0” 205 lb lefty slashed .279/.372/.421 with 9 house runs and 29 stolen bases. I moved his timeline up a yr late within the course of as a result of Detroit is cooking, and Clark’s protection will assist him race to the majors.
3. SS Kevin McGonigle | 20 | A+ | 2027
The thirty seventh general choose within the 2023 draft, McGonigle has nice arms on each side of the ball together with plus velocity and the flexibility to show right into a cat. A left-handed hitter with a fast swing, he has slashed .310/.412/.443 with six house runs and 30 stolen bases in his 95 video games as an expert. He performed simply 14 video games in Excessive-A at season’s finish and can probably open 2025 there in West Michigan.
4. 2B Jace Jung | 24 | MLB | 2024
Right here’s what I wrote on this area final yr:
“A left-handed hitter at 6’0” 205 lbs, Jung hit 28 homers in 128 video games throughout two ranges in 2023, slashing .265/.376/.502. He hit 14 house runs at every degree however did so in simply 47 video games at Double-A. The twelfth general choose in 2022, he’ll be working proper behind Colt Keith if Keith can’t work out how you can prepare dinner at second base. Have I discussed that this method is loaded? I don’t assume I’ve, however I’ve been excited about all of it week. They need to be in rivalry subsequent yr on the newest.”
Jung didn’t precisely for his technique to the majors, slashing .257/.377/.454 in 91 Triple-A video games, however he posted a fairly helpful .362 on base share in 34 MLB video games to assist Detroit’s playoff push. He slugged simply .304 over that stretch, however he was contributing robust at bats in high-stress spots, which speaks properly of his possibilities to seize a lineup spot even on staff.
5. SS Trey Sweeney | 24 | MLB | 2024
The Demon Barber cuts a powerful determine on the six, standing 6’3” and a stable 212 lbs. His method as a lefty within the field is affected person and leads to a couple extra strikeouts than you’d prefer to see, however he managed to hit 15 house runs and steal 20 bases in 107 Triple-A video games this yr and kick in one other 4 homers and two steals in 36 MLB video games. Anybody need a shortstop who simply went 22/19? Yeah, certain, signal me up, assuming Sweeney could make sufficient contact to retain a lineup spot, which may be an in depth shave.
6. SS Bryce Rainer | 19 | NA | 2029
The eleventh general choose within the 2024 draft, Rainer is a left-handed hitting shortstop at 6’3” 195 lbs who has earned comparisons to Corey Seager together with his simple opposite-field flick. He may even be a step faster within the subject than Seager was at his age. Who’s to say if he retains the foot velocity as he ages into his physique, however he’s a high-probability shortstop for now with all of the instruments to be an affect massive leaguer wherever he winds up on protection.
7. C Josue Briceño | 20 | A | 2026
Right here’s what I wrote final month in Prospect Information: Arizona Fall League Wrap Up or The Painter Plan:
“Tigers C Josue Briceño received the triple crown, a primary for the AFL, slashing .433/.509/.867 with ten house runs and 27 RBI in 25 video games. He seemed good throughout his 40 video games in Low-A this season, posting a .381 on base share and 14.8 % strikeout price, however he solely hit two house runs. If he’d been wholesome all season, he would in all probability open 2025 in Double-A, and I anticipate this Arizona explosion accelerated his timeline not less than somewhat. He’ll get a glance with the massive boys in spring coaching, and if he performs properly there, he’ll be on the escalator together with his bat racing his behind-the-plate sport to the present. He’s a giant dude at 6’4” 200 lbs, so he may not be donning the instruments of ignorance for for much longer.”
8. C Thayron Liranzo | 21 | A+ | 2025
A strong switch-hitter at 6’2” 195 lbs, Liranzo options an excellent concept of the strike zone and spectacular contact expertise. Right here’s what I wrote about Liranzo in that very same Fall League article:
“Liranzo was virtually nearly as good as Briceño, slashing .375/.492/.667 with two house runs in 15 video games alongside 11 walks and simply 9 strikeouts. He was nice with Detroit’s Excessive-A membership after coming over from the Dodgers within the Jack Flaherty as properly, slashing .315/.470/.562 with 5 house runs in 26 video games. Detroit may need a pair 60 hit, 60 energy bats for the center of that lineup right here. Now they only need to type out who will wind up enjoying the place.”
9. RHP Jaden Hamm | 22 | A+ | 2025
A Fifth-round choose in 2023, Hamm has been dominant as an expert, recording a 2.35 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 111 innings throughout three ranges. I moved his ETA as much as this season as a result of I believe he’ll be capable of assist the playoff push even when he can’t refine the change up or slider right into a purposeful third providing. His fastball devours the excessive strike zone, and he’s adept at burying his plus curve. It’s the stuff Houston desires have been as soon as fabricated from, and the 6’1” 190 lb Hamm may fill the position of a multi-inning swingman this fall.
10. 2B Hao-Yu Lee | 22 | AA | 2025
Lee tapped into a brand new degree of energy in 2024 by trying to find pitches he may pull, a sensible use of his plus contact expertise. Regardless of the improved aggression, he struck out simply 17.9 % of the time alongside an 8.5 % stroll price. He additionally hit 12 house runs and stole 16 bases whereas slashing .298/.363/.488. Seeing Lee on the ten spot here’s a good indicator of the nice job Detroit has been doing on acquisition and growth the previous couple of years.
Thanks for studying!
