The Tigers have had a lot of top of the draft picks in recent years but a lot have yet to amount to top MLB talent. Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson look to be starting that trend. With Colt Keith, Justyn-Henry Malloy, and Jace Jung quickly rising, there’s more help on the way. In 2021 and 2023, the Tigers had the 3rd overall pick and took top high-school prospects in Jackson Jobe and Max Clark. Now with elite level potential in the system, Detroit can get excited about developing home grown talent.
Head over to the Pitcher List dynasty page to check out other top prospect lists that have already been released!
Top Tigers Prospects
The Top Tier
1) Colt Keith – 2B, 22 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (AA/AAA): .306 AVG | .380 OBP | .552 SLG | 27 HR | 3 SB | 21.0 K% | 10.4 BB%
The clear number one prospect in the Tigers system is Colt Keith. Keith had a breakout in 2023 after missing a good chunk of time in previous years due to injury. With 27 home runs to go along with 38 doubles in 2023, Keith displayed massive extra-base power. Keith has a great and compact swing that has some similarities to Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle. A career .300 minor league average, Keith could have debuted in 2023 but the Tigers chose to wait. Almost a sure thing that Keith will have a shot to win a spot out of spring training, he’ll certainly be up by June.
Colt Keith is a pure hitter. He put up a .307 batting average against left-handed pitching and a .306 against right-handed pitching in 2023. Twenty-one of his 27 home runs came against right-handed pitching but the real promise is seeing his ability to hit against lefties. With no real MLB player blocking Keith, he could take up the everyday role at 3B or 2B but third base seems more likely long-term. The bat is extremely exciting for Keith and he should fit in nicely at the top of that lineup.
2) Jackson Jobe – SP, 21 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (ROK/A/A+/AA): 64 IP | 2.81 ERA | 32.6 K% | 2.3 BB%
It may have only been 64 innings, but Jackson Jobe took the huge jump forward to one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball. After missing a good chunk of the first half of the year due to a bad back injury, the former 3rd overall pick shined. Leading up to draft day in 2021, all the talk was about the slider from Jackson Jobe. This pitch was rated as one of the best pitches from a prospect as it’s regularly over 3,000 RPM.
Jobe’s stuff was great when he was drafted and continues to improve. The slider has so much movement it fools even his own catcher at times. His fastball sits in the mid 90’s but can reach higher. Jobe adds in a changeup and a cutter that provides a different look from the big breaking slider. He reported to the AFL to get more reps in after the injury and continued his great year. With a 2.87 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 15.2 innings, Jobe was just as sharp as he was all season. One of the more wild stats is that Jobe walked only six batters in 2023 across 64 innings. A good athlete, Jobe repeats his delivery well, looking smooth and effortless when on the mound. Jobe is a big riser on prospect rankings and looks as though his ace potential is real.
3) Max Clark – OF, 19 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (ROK/A): .224 AVG | .383 OBP | .376 SLG | 2 HR | 5 SB | 23.4 K% | 19.6 BB%
One of the best prospects in the 2023 MLB Draft, the Tigers passed on Wyatt Langford and selected Clark with the 3rd overall pick. After Langford absolutely torched the competition all the way to Triple-A in 2023, Clark wasn’t as successful in his short debut. Clark did hit a walkoff homerun for the Rookie League Tigers shortly after being drafted and made some noise. His numbers from his debut may not look great, but it’s a small sample size and every report about this kid glows about how hard he works.
A kid that rarely struck out as a high-school hitter, struck out 25 times in 85 at-bats. This was the only minor concern in the small sample size as Max Clark is widely considered as a plus hitter. To me, there is nothing to be concerned about in the game of Clark but it does feel as though the expectations are set a little high. Clark profiles as a plus hitter who will be close to .300 and a potential 25-40 player if it all comes together. The speed from Clark is his best tool at the moment and may always be. His swing is smooth and effortless and there’s a lot to be excited about for the Detroit Tigers.
4) Kevin McGonigle – SS, 19 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (ROK/A): .315 AVG | .452 OBP | .411 SLG | 1 HR | 8 SB | 19.4 K% | 10.8 BB%
Drafted 37th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, the Tigers have to be thrilled to get a potential top-20 talent in McGonigle. McGonigle can hit the baseball and right now he profiles as a leadoff-hitting second baseman. The questionable part of the game in the young infielder is his power potential. He’s smaller at 5’10 and 190 pounds so he may be tapped out at 15-20 home runs per season. Regardless, McGonigle is a true ballplayer. He has a beautiful left-handed swing that is effortless and, to me, looks like he can hit 20 home runs per season.
A hot start in both Rookie ball and Low-A for McGonigle in 2023, he showed his plus hit tool as he hit .315. But it wasn’t just the hit tool that was on display in his 21-game professional debut. McGonigle put up an 18BB:10K ratio and added in eight steals. His approach and hit tool are certainly what are going to carry him to a potential MLB career but there is 20-20 potential here as well. After taking Max Clark 3rd overall, the Tigers were able to pair the two talented high-school bats together. Both young guys have plenty of time to develop with very high potential.
5) Ty Madden – SP, 23 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (AA): 118 IP | 3.43 ERA | 29.7 K% | 10.2 BB%
Drafted 32nd overall in 2021, Madden was one of the highest-ranked college arms in that draft. The Tigers had to be thrilled to be able to snag Madden at 32nd, and the early returns look good. Madden spent all of 2023 at Double-A, which seemed a bit safe as he pitched to a 3.43 ERA with an 11.14 K/9. He’ll be 24 years old for all of the 2024 season so the Tigers could look to be aggressive if he starts off hot at Triple-A. The Tigers currently have a lot of options at the MLB level, so Madden most likely won’t debut until the All-Star break.
A solid four-pitch mix, Madden leads with his fastball/slider combo. A mid-90s fastball, his second-best pitch, also touched 100 last season. His best pitch is his mid-80s slider, although the fastball is making a push to be the best offering. Adding in a curveball and changeup that are slightly behind, Madden uses them confidently. He stands 6’3 and has the body built for durability at 215 pounds. Heading into the draft it seemed that Madden would be a frontline starter, but he’s trending to be a bulldog 3rd starter. If the Tigers have an injury at the MLB level, Madden could be considered as a potential spot starter.
6) Justyn-Henry Malloy – OF/3B, 24 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (AAA): .277 AVG | .417 OBP | .474 SLG | 23 HR | 5 SB | 24.9 K% | 18.0 BB%
A 6th round pick for the Braves in 2021, Malloy quickly showed he was a great pick that late in the draft. With a .270/.388/.434 slash line, five home runs, and four steals in just 37 games, he showed the ability to make an impact in every category. Traded to Detroit before the 2023 season, Malloy continued to showcase his advanced approach. With a massive .417 OBP, Malloy drew 110 walks at the Triple-A level in 2023. A patient hitter with a good eye, he also struck out 152 times last season. Standing 6’1, and weighing 212 pounds, Malloy hits the ball hard and drives it well.
There is above-average power in his bat and Malloy pairs it well with a great OBP. If he can keep his strikeouts in check, Malloy has the opportunity to be one of the next standout Tigers prospects. Defensively, given how successful both Colt Keith and Malloy were in 2023, many expected a late-season debut. The Tigers ultimately decided not to start the MLB clock on either player, making 2024 much anticipated. Malloy could play 3B or a corner outfield spot, giving him multi-position eligibility. With nothing left to prove in the minor leagues, Malloy should win a starting spot out of 2024 spring training.
7) Jace Jung – 2B, 23 YO
2023 Stats (A+/AA): .265 AVG | .376 OBP | .505 SLG | 28 HR | 5 SB | 24.2 K% | 13.7 BB%
The younger brother of Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung, Jace holds a lot of similarities. The 12th overall pick in 2022, Jace showcases plus power like his brother. With 28 home runs in 2023 between High-A and Double-A, Jace has tremendous strength in his swing. A smooth swing from the left side, there isn’t much selling out for power as he hit .284 at Double-A in 2023. His 139 strikeouts to 79 walks in 2023 is a good sign that Jung can draw a walk, but he could certainly cut down on the strikeouts. Personally, I love the swing. Jung has a bit of a Joey Votto type of swing when you watch him at the plate. He has a real shot to put up a mid .300 OBP with 25 home runs a year at the second base position.
Jung gets his foot down early and uses his strong 6’0, 205-pound frame to hit the ball over the wall. Jung keeps his hands high and back far but has no issue getting to pitches. Not the fastest guy, Jung won’t provide much in the stolen base category. The bat, and more specifically the power is what is going to give Jung the ability to produce in the middle of a lineup. Overall, Jung could see himself in the top 10 of dynasty options at 2B in the near future.
Prospects Dynasty Managers Should Know
8) Wilmer Flores – SP, 22 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (A+/AA): 89 IP | 4.65 ERA | 24.0 K% | 8.8 BB%
Flores broke out in a big way in 2022 when he posted a 3.01 ERA in 83.2 Double-A innings. At 6’4, 225 pounds, Flores has the durable body needed to start, despite his career high in innings being 103.1. Repeating 2023 at the Double-A level for nearly the same of innings, Flores took a bit of a step back. Still a good season, Flores managed a 3.90 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 80.2 innings. His arsenal includes a 91-94 MPH fastball, a true breaking curve that flashes plus, and an average cutter and changeup. Flores got some extra work in the AFL but didn’t perform all that well. Likely starting 2024 in Triple-A, Flores has a good shot to debut in the second half of 2024.
9) Paul Wilson – SP, 19YO
2023 MiLB Stats (A): N/A
A 3rd round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Wilson has yet to debut but is a live left-handed arm. Standing 6’3, and weighing 205 pounds, the 19 year-old’s fastball lives in the low to mid 90’s. His delivery and arm action is a little short and looks a lot like A.J. Minter. Wilson backs up his fastball with a very good curveball that flashes plus at times. Like many high school arms, his third pitch changeup is going to determine what type of pitcher he becomes.
10) Hao-Yu Lee – 2B, 20 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (ROK/A+): .273 AVG | .362 OBP | .399 SLG | 6 HR | 16 SB | K% | BB%
Traded from the Phillies in the Michael Lorenzen deal, Lee played 8 games for High-A West Michigan to close out the year. His numbers in the Phillies organization were much better as he hit .283 with 5 home runs and 14 steals in 64 games. A smaller prospect, Lee most likely will be in the 12-20 range of home runs yearly. Likely to begin the year at High-A, Lee will be 21 for the entire season. The potential to hit 1/2 in a lineup is still there, and if not he’s a reliable 2B at the back of a lineup.
11) Max Anderson – 2B, 21 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (ROK/A): .289 AVG | .345 OBP | .445 SLG | 2 HR | 2 SB | K% | BB%
A 2nd round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Nebraska, Anderson can flat out hit. A .414 average with 21 home runs in his final season at Nebraska capitulated Anderson to 45th overall. Anderson is 6 feet tall and 215 pounds but has a compact stance at the plate that makes his zone smaller. His swing is smooth and powerful and he’ll provide plenty of home runs due to his strength. The bat will carry Anderson as far as it can but he has the tools to play everyday at second or third.
12) Wenceel Pérez – 2B, 24YO
2023 MiLB Stats (ROK/A): .274 AVG | .368 OBP | .416 SLG | 9 HR | 26 SB | 16.4 K% | 12.0 BB%
Pérez has been a very solid prospect for the Tigers with the exception of his 2019 season. A speedy, contact-hitting second baseman, Pérez has the ability to hit at the top of a lineup. A low strikeout rate and good walk rate pair well for the Tigers prospect with nothing left to prove in the minor leagues. While he won’t offer much in the power department, you can count on Pérez for a mid to upper .300 OBP, with 20+ steals per year. With no one blocking him, Pérez has a good chance to win a starting job for the Tigers out of spring training.
13) Troy Melton – SP, 23YO
2023 MiLB Stats (A/A+): 92 IP | 2.74 ERA | 24.9 K% | 6.4 BB%
A 4th round pick in 2022, Melton has excelled in his 97-inning pro debut. Melton has a good frame for a pitcher at 6’4, 210 pounds. An arsenal with 3-4 solid pitches, Melton looks ready for an advanced test. At 23 years-old for all of the 2024 season, Melton has a chance to make a name for himself in the younger, top heavy Tigers farm system. A fastball that lives in the mid to upper 90’s, Melton pairs that well with his slider cutter and changeup. All have the chance to be average secondary offerings but none are currently consistent enough to be above average. Double-A should be a good test to start the 2024 season for Melton.
14) Brant Hurter – SP, 25YO
2023 MiLB Stats (AA): 118 IP | 3.28 ERA | 26.7 K% | 6.6 BB%
An older prospect, Hurter pitched all of 2023 at Double-A as a 24 year-old. Now 25, Hurter has 224.2 career minor league innings but has only reached Double-A. Regardless, Hurter has been extremely solid, with a 3.49 ERA over those two seasons. Given his age, Hurter could be moved somewhat quickly in 2024 as a spot starter or multi-inning reliever. Hurter is a big lefty, standing 6’6, but will get you out with a funky arm action and finesse over power. Hurter is looking to follow up his extremely successful 2023 with a potential MLB debut in 2024.
15) Maikol Orozco – SS, 18YO
2023 MiLB Stats (ROK): .256 AVG | .389 OBP | .346 SLG | 2 HR | 9 SB | 17.4 K% | 13.8 BB%
One of the top international signings for Detroit in 2023, Orozco is a talented all-around player. With a long road ahead, Orozco will be 18 until September of 2024. Orozco already hits the ball hard, but as he continues to mature physically he should see over the fence power. This kid is smooth in everything he does, from his defensive ability to his swing. Likely making his stateside debut in 2024 at the Detroit Complex, Orozco has the potential to be a top 10 Tigers prospect at the end of 2024.
The Next Five
Although these prospects do not crack the top 15, dynasty managers should keep their eye on these five players.
Enrique Jimenez – 18 YO – Jimenez is a switch hitter catcher who profiles more as a contact bat with 15-20 homer power.
Cristian Santana – 20 YO – After a monster DSL debut, Santana has struggled to showcase any of his plus tools at the higher levels.
Roberto Campos – 20 YO – A huge international signing for the Tigers in 2019, Campos has yet to live up to that hype but is still just 20 years old.
Carson Rucker – 19 YO – A 4th-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Rucker has raw tools that should impress as he gets stronger.
Cristian Perez – 17 YO – A top 50 international prospect in 2023, Perez aggressively (24K:2BB) hit .319 in the DSL to start his career.