Looking back, and looking ahead, on the Tigers' farm

A good article with names to keep an eye on, and, if you can watch the minor league games players to watch next season.

Looking back, and looking ahead, on the Tigers’ farm
Full article at link.

Tigers minor league player of the year

Max Clark, center field, West Michigan: Clark doesn’t turn 20 until December and still did what a third overall pick in 2023, was expected to accomplish at his first stop, low-A Lakeland, followed by a midseason ticket to the high-A Whitecaps

===================

Tigers minor league pitcher of the year

Troy Melton from Double-A Erie, and Jaden Hamm, who dazzled at Single-A West Michigan: Here we’re awarding a tie.

========================

Most impressive hitters from 2024 likely to do even better in '25

Three strong candidates:

4 Likes

Briceno is 20yrs old as an fyi, don’t think the article stated that,

With endless rehabbing and therapy the Tigers medical staff and development team found stunning for the way Briceno embraced it and drove himself to heal and return for a late-season romp that should set in motion a perhaps dazzling 2025?

“What a great example to all our players that you can take your time during rehab to get better and develop,” said Ryan Garko, the Tigers assistant general manager and chief player-development steward.

“I’ve never seen a player so locked in: Diet, weight-room, flexibility training. He was determined not to waste time, and when he got back (August) he was in great shape.”

Briceno’s conversations with the Tigers began when he was still a young teen, during 2019 tryouts at Colombia.


A more flavorful question is: Where will he play?

Catcher, which is his natural position, as well as his personal favorite?

Or, because of his size, which historically has not been helpful to men who work behind the plate, will he morph into the first baseman he became after returning in August, and where he played exclusively in the AFL?

“I feel I can play anywhere,” Briceno said Thursday, by way of Guillen. “But I think catching will make me happier.

“I am a catcher, and that’s what I love to do.”

The Tigers are by no means opposed. But there is another consideration as they prepare for 2025.

His name is Thayron Liranzo, and, like Briceno, he catches.

He also is a switch-hitter with a big arm, as well as a grand bat, which he, too, showed off during his own 15-game AFL stint where he hit .375/.492/.667/.1.158, with a pair of homers, five doubles, and two triples.

Liranzo is all of 21, and 14 months older than Briceno.

1 Like