Last year, the Tigers farm had the best record of any MLB team’s minor-league system.
This year, no surprise if it’s just as good, or even better.
The Tigers farm is deep and continues to grow richer because the men now drafting — and signing international players — are good at identifying talent. Toss in a new and skilled development ethic, and you’ve got yourself a self-perpetuating organization that could be in contention for years to come.
A look at what’s been happening on those back fields at TigerTown, a few hundred paces from Marchant Stadium/Publix Field, where scads of kids have been prepping for their 2025 farm-club assignments.
Tigers’ strong suit as 2025’s talent is assessed : Pitching, pitching, pitching. And that’s not selling short those glitzy position pieces in the Tigers infield, behind the plate, and in the outfield. But consider, beyond the pitching depth already evident, a talent on the level of last year’s second-round pick, Owen Hall, 19, from Edmond, Oklahoma. This kid has been throwing lightning on Lakeland’s back fields. Toss in another early-round talent, Ethan Schiefelbein, a left-handed, 18-year-old starter from Corona, California, who was snared last July with the 72nd overall pick. The Tigers have loaded up with arms and have, pretty much at all levels, a lustrous bunch incubating.
That burgeoning Tigers pitching gang (continued): Watch out for the season Jake Miller likely is about to craft. Consider, also, Rayner Castillo, another right-handed slinger who could become one of the farm’s hottest and fastest movers. Same, of course, for Jaden Hamm, who will be tossing at Erie. Troy Melton is moving within Comerica Park’s shadows. The back-field bird dogs like what Joseph Montalvo has been doing. On and on it goes. Everyone knows how fragile pitchers can be, how Tommy John check-ins can ruin rosy forecasts. But the Tigers have a warehouse as full of arms as at any time in the past 50 years — and probably more.
Most likely to make the biggest, quickest impact in Detroit: Kevin McGonigle, who is sticking at shortstop and who, in tandem with Max Clark, will be rehearsing at Double-A Erie for a Tigers promotion that for McGonigle could — could — happen this season. McGonigle has an extraordinary hitting gift. That he’s showing he can also handle shortstop means he and his left-handed bat could shift to Detroit as early, it seems, as July. He turns 21 in August. Remember: Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker were 20 when they debuted as Tigers regulars in April 1978.
Most reassuring return from injury: Carson Rucker. He is a solid 6-2, 200 pounds, and is healed from last year’s shoulder mishap that ended what was turning into a big first full season for the Tigers’ 2023 fourth-round grab. Because he and his right-handed bat profile more at third base, Rucker figures to drop anchor there. Which, as Tigers followers have known for a couple of generations, at least, happens to be an area of deep organizational need.
Best affirmation from a first-round draft pick: Bryce Rainer’s spring showing. Ah, that was no technological glitch in the March 2 MLB Spring Breakout game against Atlanta: Last year’s Tigers draft prize laced a single with an exit-velocity of 114. He also ripped a pitch against the left-field wall. This is a left-handed batter with splendid gifts and the stuff to be a MLB shortstop. Somewhat in the vein of McGonigle, expect Rainer to move quickly, even in a Tigers system that prefers to take its time buffing and polishing youngsters.
Most dynamic power hitter blossoming on the Tigers farm: Josue Briceno. Everyone wonders if this left-handed prodigy will settle in at first base, or continue with his official status as a catching prospect. He’ll get occasional work behind the plate, which will add luster to his portfolio. But it can be stated, with some certainty, that a left-handed batter, 6-4, 200-plus, who is only 20 years old, will be setting up most days at first base. Briceno has a chance to be something — really something.
