The Tigers’ farm system isn’t as loaded as it once was. Many of the names that once topped their prospect lists have since graduated and become productive members of the MLB roster. Colt Keith, Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson were all homegrown players who are now key cogs in Detroit’s offense. Jackson Jobe has also joined the fray and will make a case to feature in the Tigers’ rotation in 2026.
Despite the “exodus” of talent from the farm system, there are still several high-level prospects waiting to join the big league club in the next few years. The system is slightly top-heavy, as the first two names are head and shoulders above the rest of the list. That said, the Tigers have done a good job supplementing their prospect pool through the Draft and the International market.
Top Tigers Prospects
The Top Tier
1) Kevin McGonigle – 22 Y/O, SS
MiLB Stats: .305 AVG | .408 OBP | .583 SLG | 19 HR | 10 SB | 11.6% K% | 14.9% BB%
Kevin McGonigle was heralded as a potential #1 overall prospect, and if it wasn’t for the meteoric rise of Konnor Griffin, he likely would have reached that achievement. McGonigle is a can’t-miss prospect. His 182 wRC+ ranks 2nd among all qualified minor leaguers, and it’s the top mark among hitters outside of the DSL. He has solid contact numbers (83% contact rate, 7.7% swinging-strike rate), and that contact is often productive (43.4% fly-ball rate, 21% line-drive rate). His plus bat speed allows him to get his bat through the zone and hit for power to his pull side. Simply put, he’s going to make a ton of contact, and his swing decisions/power mean that the contact he makes will lead to a ton of production.
McGonigle spent the entire 2025 season as a shortstop with mixed results (nine errors in 39 games in AA). Given the Tigers’ current roster build, they’ll be hoping that their top prospect can remain in that position and lay claim to the everyday role in the majors. Whether or not he’ll be able to do that remains to be seen, but he’s a good enough athlete to be given the chance there. Either way, McGonigle’s bat is too good not have in the lineup every day. There’s not much more I can add about McGonigle that hasn’t already been said. He’s a slam-dunk Rookie of the Year candidate and will be a cornerstone of the Tigers for years to come.
2) Max Clark – 20 Y/O, CF
MiLB Stats: .271 AVG | .403 OBP | .432 SLG | 14 HR | 19 SB | 16.9% K% | 17.6% BB%
No one embraced the rise of social media in baseball like Max Clark. He was a viral sensation before he was even drafted. Three years later, he’s lived up to the hype. Clark’s performed like a cornerstone-level player since signing in 2023, and is on course to factor into Detroit’s MLB plans by 2027. Between High-A and AA, Clark posted a 148 wRC+, which ranked seventh among players 20 or younger. Only two players with marks higher than Clark also had 14+ home runs and steals (Konnor Griffin and Eduardo Quintero). Clark achieved that production while walking more than he struck out, one of only two players 20 or younger (min. 400 PA’s) to do so (Kendall George).
Clark possesses a rare mix of power, speed, plate discipline, and bat-to-ball ability. It’s not like these tools are average. Clark’s shown flashes of excellence in every part of his game. Fourteen home runs in 111 games doesn’t scream elite power, but his batted ball profile took a massive step forward in AA (47.1% fly-ball rate, 45.3% Pull rate). He showed he could handle the next level of competition, keeping his walk rate above 14% and dropping his strikeout rate slightly. 19 total steals on the season is below his mark from 2024, but there’s reason to believe he can eclipse 35 steals (at least) if he can get on base enough at the big league level. Signs point to that being the case. Clark doesn’t get beat in the zone (6.4% swinging-strike rate) and has posted solid line drive rates at every level. Oh, and he has the athleticism to stay in center field. Clark is a legitimate top-10 prospect in baseball who would top the ranks in just about every other organization in the sport.
3) Josue Briceño – 21 Y/O, C/1B
MiLB Stats: .266 AVG | .383 OBP | .500 SLG | 20 HR | 1 SB | 19.7% K% | 14.9% BB%
Briceno is a big dude. At 6’4″, 200 pounds, he passes the eye test of being a big-time slug-oriented prospect. Watching him hit confirms that assertion. When Briceno makes contact, the ball takes off and often ends up on the other side of the outfield fence. He seemingly doesn’t have elite bat speed, but the amount of power he generates allows him to drive the ball to all fields. That will be key to his production at the next level, as his fly ball rate dropped by 13% to 37.7% after being promoted to AA. His pulled batted-ball rate (36.6% in AA) also dipped significantly after being faced with tougher competition.
In better news, Briceno hasn’t struggled with strikeout issues in the way that other power-first players have. He was one of 15 names with 20+ home runs, with a strikeout rate under 20%, a group that includes Sal Stewart and Kaelan Culpepper. His 10.2% swinging-strike rate isn’t elite, but it’s far from bad. When his average bat-to-ball tool plus plate discipline are combined with his power ceiling, he becomes a potential middle-of-the-order bat. If he’s able to stay behind the plate (46 games at catcher, 32 at first base), he will immediately become one of the top power bats at the position.
4) Bryce Rainer – 20 Y/O, SS
MiLB Stats: .288 AVG | .383 OBP | .448 SLG | 5 HR | 9 SB | 22.1% K% | 13.1% BB%
Rainer doesn’t have the body of work to evaluate that some other members of the 2024 first round do. An injury limited him to just 35 Single-A games in his first professional season. However, what Tigers fans did see in that stint should make them very excited for the future. In Lakeland, Rainer posted a 134 wRC+ (7th among SS in Single-A) with an .831 OPS and .160 ISO. He was on pace for 21 homers and 38 steals over a 150-game season if he’d stayed healthy. He managed that production while maintaining a solid walk rate and avoiding striking out at a high clip.
Rainer stands out immediately due to his size and frame, as well as his swing. At 6’3″, 195 lbs, Rainer has the size teams look for from young shortstops, and it’s translated into exciting batted-ball data. Rainer’s 52.8% hard-hit rate and 10.1% barrel rate were among the best marks in the Florida League. His exit velocities were equally impressive. He posted a 107.9 EV90, while keeping his whiff rate (somewhat) in check (29.1%). Given his age, Rainer has time to add to his frame to tap into even more power, especially if he gets the ball in the air to the pull-side more (27.4% fly-ball rate, 32.6% pull rate). If Rainer can stick at short, he could prove to be one of the better offensive producers at the position once he reaches the major leagues.
5) Cris Rodriguez – 17 Y/O, OF
MiLB Stats: .308 AVG | .340 OBP | .564 SLG | 10 HR | 10 SB | 22.3% K %| 5.9% BB%
It’s rare to find a teenager, much less a 17-year-old, with the frame that Rodriguez possesses. He stands at 6’4″ and over 200 pounds already, and he still looks like he could add more mass to his already impressive frame. The production on the field has been equally exciting. Rodriguez was the only qualified player in the DSL this year to reach double digits in both home runs and steals. His .256 ISO ranked sixth at that level, and he had a steal success rate of 83%.
There is still plenty of risk associated with Rodriguez. His 18.1% swinging-strike rate was in the bottom 25 marks in the league (304 qualified players), and his walk rate was the fifth lowest among his peers. The swing-and-miss issues could be attacked by simplifying his swing. Rodriguez’s swing has a ton of moving pieces (and bears a striking resemblance to a certain Alex Rodriguez). If it comes at the cost of his power ceiling, it may not be worth it, though. For now, Rodriguez is a long-term name to keep an eye on, but he could fly up rankings in 2026 with a strong stateside debut.
6) Jordan Yost – 19 Y/O, SS
MiLB Stats: N/A – 2025 Draftee
The Tigers managed to convince Yost to sign for ~$500,000 under slot, buying him out of his commitment to join Florida. He possesses a lean build with room to grow into his 6’0″ frame. The current power tool is likely average at best, but he has good bat speed, which should allow him to threaten double digits in the lower levels. The swing mechanics are remarkably polished for a teenager, and scouts emphasized his ability to make contact as a key reason teams were interested in Yost as a prospect.
The infield situation in the Tigers’ organization is crowded. McGonigle will join the big league club with Colt Keith already holding down a spot, too. The good news is the Tigers have years to develop Yost as a player before having to worry about finding a spot for him. Yost’s lefty swing and contact ability make him a player to keep an eye on, and his value will increase if he can showcase an ability to hit for power and steal bases.
7) Hao-Yu Lee – 23 Y/O, INF
MiLB Stats: .243 AVG | .342 OBP | .406 SLG | 14 HR | 22 SB | 20.9% K% | 11.2% BB%
The third-year pro saw his stock skyrocket in 2024. He posted a 143 wRC+ as a 21-year-old in AA, posting a .851 OPS with 12 homers and 16 steals. His move up to AAA in 2025 led to a performance regression, but he still put together a productive season. Lee was one of three players 22 or younger with 10+ home runs, 20+ steals, and a walk rate higher than 10% in AAA last season. His strikeout rate jumped to just over 20%, but it shouldn’t get much higher than that in the future. Lee’s bat-to-ball skills were good in AAA (85.6% Z-Con), and he has a good understanding of the strike zone (28.6% O-Swing).
The 37-point drop in wRC+ between 2024 and 2025 could be a matter of bad luck. Lee’s BABIP (.292) dropped significantly in AAA despite his batted ball data staying consistent from his 2024 marks. The one change was a spike in batted balls to the opposite field. If he’s able to get more balls to the pull side, he has the power to threaten the 20+ homer mark (43% Hard-Hit rate, 112.2 Max. EV). Lee’s future is likely at second, and he should make his debut there in 2026.
Prospects Dynasty Managers Should Know
8) Jaden Hamm – 23 Y/O, SP
MiLB Stats: 88 IP | 4.70 ERA | 20.8% K% | 9.6% BB%
Hamm exploded onto the dynasty with a dominant 2024 season at the lower levels. Hamm posted a 2.63 ERA in 23 starts, walking under 3% of the batters he faced and striking out 29.3%. That success didn’t translate into AA in 2025, but it was far from a disastrous season. Hamm still struck out batters at a decent clip, even if the walk rate regressed. He got into trouble due to a 11% increase in fly balls allowed (40%) combined with a historically high pulled-batted-ball rate (48% in 2025). That will be something to follow in 2026, but his arsenal, especially his offspeed pitches, is robust enough to continue to think of Hamm as a starter.
9) Thayron Liranzo – 22 Y/O, C
MiLB Stats: .206 AVG | .308 OBP | .351 SLG | 11 HR | 0 SB | 31.7% K% | 11.9% BB%
The Tigers opted to protect Liranzo from selection in the Rule 5 draft, but it’s unlikely he makes his MLB debut this year. His first stint in AA indicated growing pains. His batting average dipped significantly, as did his power output. At the same time, Liranzo’s strikeout rate spiked by 8% and his walk rate dropped by 6%. Liranzo possesses game-changing power from his powerful frame with plus bat speed, but his tendency to swing and miss (16.1% swinging-strike rate) could limit how much of that power he’s able to display. Liranzo spent the season behind the plate defensively, and if he’s able to stick there, he’ll present value as a power threat. However, there is some volatility in his value if the power tool doesn’t translate and/or the strikeout issues persist.
10) Owen Hall – 21 Y/O, SP
MiLB Stats: 9.0 IP | 7.00 ERA | 23.1% K% | 23.1% BB%
Injury ended Hall’s 2025 before it could get started. Hall was shut down after four starts due to a shoulder issue. His stats don’t look good, but the sample size didn’t do him any favors. Hall operates from a high 3/4 slot, which extends down the mound well (6.7 ft) from his 6’3″ frame. He utilizes three distinct fastball shapes with a slider and changeup in the mix as well. At 93-95 with 16-18 inches of vertical break, the variety in movement effects hitters’ timing more than the velocity, and he’ll need to add more separation between his fastballs and his change. Command will also be key to unlocking his full potential, as he has a tendency to get slightly wild. Hall’s ceiling is a middle-of-the-rotation starter, but there’s a lot that needs to happen for him to reach that level.
11) Max Anderson – 23 Y/O, INF
MiLB Stats: .296 AVG | .350 OBP | .478 SLG | 19 HR | 3 SB | 15.8% K% | 6.5% BB%
Despite being a career .282 hitter in 280 minor league games, Anderson has gone under the radar as a dynasty prospect. That changed after a 1.417 OPS in 14 Arizona Fall League games. Anderson’s power tool truly emerged in 2025, as he hit 23 home runs in 136 games between the regular season and the Fall League. In 32 AAA games, he posted a 90.8 average exit velocity (107.2 Max.) and a 45.8% hard-hit rate. He also avoids strikeouts (19% in AAA) and can do damage when he gets his pitch (14.1% HR/FB, fifth in DET system). Anderson’s blocked at second and third on the big league roster, but if given a chance, he could be an undervalued source of offensive production.
12) Andrew Sears – 23 Y/O, SP
MiLB Stats: 111 IP | 3.49 ERA | 26.3% K% | 7.7% BB%
24 minor league arms under 23 posted a strikeout rate of 25%, a walk rate less than 10%, and an xFIP below 3.5. Sears was the only one from the Tigers organization. Sears led all qualified Tigers pitchers in strikeout rate (26.3%) and xFIP in 2025. Sears has a whippy arm action with deceivingly slow mechanics. His fastball sits in the mid-90s, but plays up because of the timing issues Sears creates with his delivery. He also hides the ball well, which forces hitters into quicker decisions when trying to pick up his sweep-heavy slider and changeup. He should start the year in the Tigers’ AAA rotation, and could be a potential rotation option for the big league club in 2026.
13) Jake Miller – 24 Y/O, SP
MiLB Stats: 20 IP | 1.80 ERA | 25.3% K% | 4.8% BB%
Despite a back issue ending his 2025 prematurely, the Tigers opted to protect Miller from the Rule 5 draft. His numbers make it clear to see why. His small-sample-size ERA from 2025 was no fluke. He posted a 1.85 (2.56 xFIP) in 87.1 innings over three levels the season prior. His fastball sits in the low 90s to go with a tight slider for lefties and a fade-heavy changeup for righties. That repertoire, in tandem with exceptional control (2.4 career BB/9), is a good floor for a back-end starter to build on. He has been used as a reliever in the past, but six starts in six appearances in 2025 suggest the Tigers could envision a future in the rotation for Miller.
14) John Peck – 23 Y/O, INF
MiLB Stats: .301 AVG | .359 OBP | .433 SLG | 11 HR | 19 SB | 24.1% K% | 7.9% BB%
Four batters in the Tigers’ farm system had an OPS>.750 while hitting ten homers and stealing 15 bases. Only two of them were under 25 years old. John Peck joined Max Clark in an exclusive club, posting a 131 wRC+ between High-A and AA last year. Power wasn’t a calling card for Peck at Pepperdine (20 home runs in 134 games), but he’s grown into a long-ball threat at the plate. Peck utilizes plus bat speed to generate pull-side power, but he’s flashed an ability to hit for power to the opposite field, too. His ground ball rate spiked in AA (52%), but when he does hit the ball in the air (25% FB), it has a solid chance to leave the yard (12.9% HR/FB). He could be a super-utility-type player in the future, but if he’s given a full-time role, he has 15+ home run/steal potential.
15) Nick Dumesnil – 21 Y/O OF
MiLB Stats: .203 AVG | .390 OBP | .288 SLG | 0 HR | 9 SB | 17.7% K% | 21.5% BB%
2024 was a breakout year for Dumesnil. He mashed 19 home runs in 61 games with California Baptist en route to a 168 wRC+ in the WAC. Then, he added four more homers and hit .311 in the Cape Cod League. In comparison, 2025 was a down year as he hit only ten home runs with 27 steals, posting a 1.041 OPS before being drafted in the eighth round. In High-A, he posted a 110 wRC+ in his first 16 games as a pro. The underlying numbers are strong, too. Dumesnil kept his swinging-strike rate under 10% while registering a 103.7 EV90. Those numbers are a small sample, but he has the frame, bat-to-ball skills, and plate approach to get into the 20 home run range without sacrificing OBP or AVG.
The Next Five
Although these prospects do not crack the top 15, dynasty managers should keep their eyes on these five players.
Kelvis Salcedo: 20-year-old starter who dominated Single-A (1.83 ERA, 33.5% strikeout rate). Just missed out to more experienced starters, but 95-97 fastball with robust secondaries could carry him up the rankings next year.
Malachi Witherspoon: 2025 second-round pick. Struck out 25.8% of batters faced in 15 starts with Oklahoma. However, he was hit hard (5.09 ERA). High velocity and decent secondaries give him a solid base, but there are high amounts of reliever risk.
Michael Oliveto: 6’3″ lefty hitter who was drafted as a catcher. High ceiling if he can develop a power tool and ability to stick behind the plate, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to. Could shoot up the rankings if he can showcase a power swing and defensive skills.
Franyerber Montilla: 20-year-old switch-hitting infielder with average bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline in Single-A. Speed could grow into a plus tool, but the lack of power lowers his value. Projects as a light-hitting second baseman at the next level.
Izaac Pacheco: Physically imposing frame (6’3″ 225) who mashed 17 home runs in High-A at 22 years-old. Slashed strikeout rate and improved walk rate by 8%. Still in High-A at an advanced age, so production at higher levels should better indicate actual value.
