Format = Position Player | Age on 4/1/2025 | Highest Level Played | Estimated Time of Arrival
1. RHP Jackson Jobe | 22 | MLB | 2024
At his best, Jobe pairs impeccable command with incredible spin rates. His four-pitch mix is headlined by a hungry four-seamer that eats all over the strike zone, where he might need to live a little more going forward, even as he managed a 1.95 ERA and 1.04 WHIP despite a 4.64 BB/9 rate across 73.2 Double-A innings. He allowed just two home runs over that stretch. He’ll almost certainly look like one of the team’s five best starters in spring training, but he’s thrown just 13 innings above Double-A, so there’s at least a chance he opens the season in Triple-A. The name itself portends at least a little suffering before reaching the promised land.
2. OF Max Clark | 20 | A+ | 2026
Perhaps he didn’t light the world afire as one might expect a third-overall draft pick to do, but Clark’s first full pro season was a definite success. In 107 games across two levels, the 6’0” 205 lb lefty slashed .279/.372/.421 with nine home runs and 29 stolen bases. I moved his timeline up a year late in the process because Detroit is cooking, and Clark’s defense will help him race to the majors.
3. SS Kevin McGonigle | 20 | A+ | 2027
The 37th overall pick in the 2023 draft, McGonigle has great hands on both sides of the ball along with plus speed and the ability to turn into a cat. A left-handed hitter with a quick swing, he has slashed .310/.412/.443 with six home runs and 30 stolen bases in his 95 games as a professional. He played just 14 games in High-A at season’s end and will likely open 2025 there in West Michigan.
4. 2B Jace Jung | 24 | MLB | 2024
Here’s what I wrote in this space last year:
“A left-handed hitter at 6’0” 205 lbs, Jung hit 28 homers in 128 games across two levels in 2023, slashing .265/.376/.502. He hit 14 home runs at each level but did so in just 47 games at Double-A. The 12th overall pick in 2022, he’ll be running right behind Colt Keith if Keith can’t figure out how to cook at second base. Have I mentioned that this system is loaded? I don’t think I have, but I’ve been thinking about it all week. They should be in contention next year at the latest.”
Jung didn’t exactly for his way to the majors, slashing .257/.377/.454 in 91 Triple-A games, but he posted a quite useful .362 on base percentage in 34 MLB games to help Detroit’s playoff push. He slugged just .304 over that stretch, but he was contributing tough at bats in high-stress spots, which speaks well of his chances to grab a lineup spot even on a good team.
5. SS Trey Sweeney | 24 | MLB | 2024
The Demon Barber cuts an impressive figure at the six, standing 6’3” and a solid 212 lbs. His approach as a lefty in the box is patient and leads to a few more strikeouts than you’d like to see, but he managed to hit 15 home runs and steal 20 bases in 107 Triple-A games this year and kick in another four homers and two steals in 36 MLB games. Anyone want a 20/20 shortstop? Yeah, sure, sign me up, assuming Sweeney can make enough contact to retain a lineup spot, which might be a close shave.
6. SS Bryce Rainer | 19 | NA | 2029
The 11th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Rainer is a left-handed hitting shortstop at 6’3” 195 lbs who has earned comparisons to Corey Seager with his easy opposite-field flick. He might even be a step quicker in the field than Seager was at his age. Who’s to say if he retains the foot speed as he ages into his body, but he’s a high-probability shortstop for now with all the tools to be an impact big leaguer wherever he winds up on defense.
7. C Josue Briceño | 20 | A | 2026
Here’s what I wrote last month in Prospect News: Arizona Fall League Wrap Up or The Painter Plan:
“Tigers C Josue Briceño won the triple crown, a first for the AFL, slashing .433/.509/.867 with ten home runs and 27 RBI in 25 games. He looked good during his 40 games in Low-A this season, posting a .381 on base percentage and 14.8 percent strikeout rate, but he only hit two home runs. If he’d been healthy all season, he would probably open 2025 in Double-A, and I expect this Arizona explosion accelerated his timeline at least a little. He’ll get a look with the big boys in spring training, and if he plays well there, he’ll be on the escalator with his bat racing his behind-the-plate game to the show. He’s a big dude at 6’4” 200 lbs, so he might not be donning the tools of ignorance for much longer.”
8. C Thayron Liranzo | 21 | A+ | 2025
A powerful switch-hitter at 6’2” 195 lbs, Liranzo features a great idea of the strike zone and impressive contact skills. Here’s what I wrote about Liranzo in that same Fall League article:
“Liranzo was almost as good as Briceño, slashing .375/.492/.667 with two home runs in 15 games alongside 11 walks and just nine strikeouts. He was great with Detroit’s High-A club after coming over from the Dodgers in the Jack Flaherty as well, slashing .315/.470/.562 with five home runs in 26 games. Detroit might have a couple 60 hit, 60 power bats for the middle of that lineup here. Now they just have to sort out who will wind up playing where.”
9. RHP Jaden Hamm | 22 | A+ | 2025
A 5th-round pick in 2023, Hamm has been dominant as a professional, recording a 2.35 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 111 innings across three levels. I moved his ETA up to this season because I think he’ll be able to help the playoff push even if he can’t refine the change up or slider into a functional third offering. His fastball devours the high strike zone, and he’s adept at burying his plus curve. It’s the stuff Houston dreams were once made of, and the 6’1” 190 lb Hamm could fill the role of a multi-inning swingman this fall.
10. 2B Hao-Yu Lee | 22 | AA | 2025
Lee tapped into a new level of power in 2024 by hunting for pitches he could pull, a smart use of his plus contact skills. Despite the enhanced aggression, he struck out just 17.9 percent of the time alongside an 8.5 percent walk rate. He also hit 12 home runs and stole 16 bases while slashing .298/.363/.488. Seeing Lee at the ten spot here is a nice indicator of the good job Detroit has been doing on acquisition and development the last few years.
Thanks for reading!
