Detroit Tigers Farm System: The Tigers system blends high-end bats, athletic projection, and developmental pitching depth, offering Dynasty managers a mix of near-term contributors and long-range upside.
Summary
The Tigers system is anchored by a trio of high-upside bats—Max Clark, Kevin McGonigle, and Josue Briceño—who blend athleticism, zone control, and emerging power. Clark’s speed and instincts make him a dynamic center field threat, while McGonigle’s efficient swing and advanced plate discipline give him a high-probability path to everyday value. Briceño’s breakout campaign, fueled by elite exit velocities and mature pitch recognition, positions him as a potential middle-of-the-order contributor regardless of defensive home.
Further down the ladder, Detroit has invested heavily in athleticism and projection. Bryce Rainer and Franyerber Montilla offer offensive upside with physical growth ahead, while pitchers like Jaden Hamm, Owen Hall, and Malachi Witherspoon bring fastball traits and developmental intrigue. The system also includes several under-the-radar names—Cris Rodriguez, Ryan Hall, and Javier Osorio—who’ve flashed tools but remain years away from impact.
Overall, the Tigers have built a system with a wide base of developmental bets and a few clear fantasy assets. The blend of contact-oriented infielders, toolsy outfielders, and high-variance arms gives Dynasty managers multiple entry points depending on risk tolerance and timeline. It’s a system on the rise, with breakout potential scattered across levels.
AI-Assisted Fantasy Tiers: Methodology and Observations
AI has made significant strides in all aspects of our lives. Over the past four years, I have compiled 500,000 words of personal scouting narratives, which have formed the foundation for training my own AI assistant. This assistant now evaluates prospects and assigns fantasy tiers exclusively based on the insights and observations contained in my write-ups.
After requesting that my AI assistant generate fantasy tiers using this year’s reports, I found that the AI’s rankings generally align with my own assessments. However, there are some cases where the AI’s evaluations differ from my personal rankings. I am sharing those differences here for your consideration.
🥇 Tier 1: Fantasy Impact Targets
- Max Clark (OF) – 70-grade speed, advanced bat-to-ball skills, and emerging power.
- Kevin McGonigle (2B/SS) – High-contact, high-OBP profile with 15+ HR potential and low double-digit steals.
- Josue Briceño (C/1B) – One of the top exit velocity bats in the system. 25+ HR upside with excellent pitch recognition.
🥈 Tier 2: Everyday-Upside Targets
- Hao-Yu Lee (2B) – Producing in Triple-A with above-average power/speed and strong plate skills.
- Jaden Hamm (RHP) – Mid-rotation upside with fastball/changeup combo.
- Bryce Rainer (SS) – He has plus raw power and a feel to hit. There is current speed that will not be a big part of the profile in the future.
- Thayron Liranzo (C) – Power and plate discipline remain, but contact issues and declining hard-hit rate raise questions.
- Franyerber Montilla (2B/SS) – Bat speed, zone feel, and plus speed. Switch-hitting splits worth monitoring.
- Cris Rodriguez (OF) – Physical corner bat with power/speed tools. Aggressive approach and swing-and-miss risk.
🥉 Tier 3: Outside of the Impact/Everyday Targets
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2026 Player Profiles
1. Max Clark (OF)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 30 OF
- Date Updated: 10/28/2025
- Tools Summary: 70-grade speed, advanced bat-to-ball skills, and emerging power.
Max Clark was one of the most athletic players in the 2023 Draft, showcasing 70-grade speed, advanced bat-to-ball skills, and emerging power. His exit velocities peak in the low 105s—solid for his age—and he’s expected to get stronger, with 15–18 HR potential and plenty of doubles power. The tools resemble Cedric Mullins’s, likely without the 30-HR spike, but with better zone control and similar defensive value.
The Tigers have taken a measured approach, starting Clark in High-A and promoting him to Double-A in July. Across both levels, he posted 14 home runs, 19 stolen bases, and more walks than strikeouts—an encouraging blend of athleticism and plate discipline.
Fantasy managers should treat Clark as a future five-category contributor with Gold Glove-caliber defense. If the power continues to grow, he could emerge as a speed-power threat with across-the-board fantasy relevance.
2. Kevin McGonigle (2B/SS)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 10 2B/SS
- Date Updated: 10/28/2025
- Tools Summary: High-contact, high-OBP profile with 15+ HR potential and low double-digit steals.
Kevin McGonigle makes excellent contact and projects as a high-OBP contributor with average future power. His bat speed supports 15+ HR potential, and early in his career, he should offer low double-digit stolen bases. While his exit velocities aren’t loud, the swing is efficient and geared for line drives, with enough strength to grow into gap power.
He opened 2025 in High-A but missed nearly a month after a sprained ankle in his first game. Upon returning, he hit immediately, walked more than he struck out, and earned a promotion to Double-A after just 39 games. His walk rate reflects zone control rather than passivity—he avoids expanding and punishes mistakes. As he sees more strikes, the walk rate may normalize, but this is what .300 hitters look like.
Fantasy managers should treat McGonigle as a steady contributor with batting average, OBP, and enough pop to matter. The overall skill set resembles early-career Alex Bregman—compact swing, elite zone control, and 12–15 HR power that plays up due to approach.
3. Josue Briceno (C/1B)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 C or Top 15 1B
- Date Updated: 10/28/2025
- Tools Summary: One of the top exit velocity bats in the system. 25+ HR upside with excellent pitch recognition.
Josue Briceno burst onto the scene with a monster 2024 AFL performance, slashing .433/.509/.867 with 10 home runs in just 25 games—a loud introduction to the broader prospect community. He’s one of the top exit velocity bats in the Tigers system, with future 25+ HR power well within reach.
At 6-foot-4, there are questions about whether he’ll stick behind the plate, but the bat plays anywhere. Briceno shows excellent pitch recognition and a mature feel for hitting, giving him a path to value at first base or DH if needed. The timeline is starting to crystallize, and he should debut in Detroit by 2027, maybe even next season.
Fantasy managers should treat Briceno as a bat-first breakout with middle-of-the-order upside. Whether he catches or not, the power and approach give him a path to impact in all formats.
4. Bryce Rainer (SS)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2027-28 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 SS
- Date Updated: 10/28/2025
- Tools Summary: He has plus raw power and a feel to hit. There is current speed that will not be a big part of the profile in the future.
Bryce Rainer began his pro career with an aggressive assignment to Lakeland in 2025 and made an immediate impression, slashing .288/.383/.448 before a season-ending shoulder injury in early June. The injury occurred on a dive back to first base and required surgery, but the early returns were promising.
His calling card is future 70-grade power, and he’s already flashing impressive exit velocities. As he matures physically, the over-the-fence juice should follow. While Corey Seager comps have been floated, a more realistic trajectory might resemble Marcelo Mayer—a poor man’s Seager with solid hitting instincts and big raw power.
Fantasy managers should treat Rainer as a middle-of-the-order threat. If the shoulder heals cleanly and the power continues to grow, he could offer fantasy relevance at shortstop or third base with impact upside.
5. Jaden Hamm (RHP)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 SP
- Date Updated: 10/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Mid-rotation upside with fastball/changeup combo.
Jaden Hamm has steadily added velocity since signing, now sitting 94–95 mph (touching 97) with significant carry (2400 RPM). He pairs the fastball with a plus changeup that features excellent fade and an over-the-top curveball with sharp shape. Most importantly, he’s throwing strikes, and the arsenal plays with sequencing and deception.
The results were strong in 2024, with a 2.64 ERA and consistent strikeout and walk rates. Upon reaching Double-A in 2025, Hamm became more susceptible to home runs—surrendering 11 in 22 starts and pushing his ERA to 4.70. At 6-foot-1, his high release point was expected to help suppress damage, but the long ball remains a developmental hurdle.
Fantasy managers should treat Hamm as a potential No. 3 starter with swing-and-miss stuff and sequencing savvy. If he tightens command within the zone and limits home run damage, the fastball/changeup combo gives him a path to mid-rotation value in all formats.
6. Hao-Yu Lee (2B)
- Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder
- Date Updated: 10/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Producing in Triple-A with above-average power/speed and strong plate skills.
Hao-Yu Lee finally stayed healthy in 2025 and delivered the kind of production his underlying skills have long suggested. He’s always had an excellent feel for the strike zone, and now with added loft in his swing, he’s showing more over-the-fence power. The bat speed remains modest, but the approach and contact quality help him maximize what he has.
He continues to steal bases, although his sprint metrics suggest average speed, and that tool is likely to fade as he fills out physically. Even so, the early-career blend of above-average power and speed makes him a viable fantasy contributor. He produced in Triple-A and showed the kind of consistency that warrants attention.
Fantasy managers should treat Lee as a steady, multi-category asset with strong OBP skills and enough pop to matter. He may not become a star, but the profile fits everyday value in deeper formats, especially at second base.
7. Thayron Liranzo (C)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Corner Infielder or Top 20 Catcher
- Date Updated: 10/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Power and plate discipline remain, but contact issues and declining hard-hit rate raise questions.
Thayron Liranzo has struggled to recapture the form he showed during his 2023 breakout with the Dodgers, when he hit .272 with 24 home runs. A switch-hitter with more power from the left side, he’s been inconsistent in 2025, striking out 31.7% of the time and failing to make consistent hard contact. The walk rate remains strong, and the power is still in there—he just hasn’t tapped into it consistently against better pitching.
Defensively, Liranzo continues to show solid skills behind the plate. His receiving is still a work in progress, but there’s reason to believe he can develop into an above-average backstop. The Tigers are betting on the bat rebounding, and the foundation—plate discipline, raw power, and defensive value—is still intact.
Fantasy managers should treat Liranzo as a developmental catcher with power/OBP upside. If the contact improves, he could grow into a fantasy-relevant backstop with everyday potential.
8. Franyerber Montilla (2B/SS)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 2B
- Date Updated: 10/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Bat speed, zone feel, and plus speed. Switch-hitting splits worth monitoring.
Franyerber Montilla began turning heads in 2024 as a 19-year-old, flashing excellent bat-to-ball skills and plus speed. His bat speed stands out and gives him a chance to grow into future power, especially as he adds strength and refines his swing.
He opened 2025 in Low-A and continued to show advanced strike zone awareness and impact speed. A switch-hitter, Montilla has been significantly more productive from the left side against right-handed pitching—a trend worth monitoring. If the right-handed swing doesn’t improve, he may eventually drop it to focus on his stronger side.
Fantasy managers should treat Montilla as a deep-league speculative add. The contact, speed, and latent power offer multi-category upside, and if the physicality comes, he could grow into a fantasy-relevant middle infielder with everyday potential.
9. Max Anderson (2B)
- Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder
- Date Updated: 10/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Elite contact and 15+ HR power. No speed and limited defensive flexibility.
Max Anderson has lived up to expectations with elite contact skills, posting a 15% strikeout rate and showing enough exit velocity to project 15+ HR power. He’s aggressive at the plate, but if the contact rates hold, the approach should remain playable. As he’s added bulk, his speed has declined, and it’s unlikely to factor into his long-term fantasy profile.
Defensively, Anderson has been used exclusively at second base, which limits his positional flexibility and could cap his fantasy ceiling. While the bat offers a solid foundation, the lack of speed and defensive versatility may restrict his path to everyday value.
Fantasy managers should treat Anderson as a steady producer with a narrow lane to relevance. If the Tigers commit to him as a regular, the contact and power combo could play in deeper formats—especially in AVG-driven leagues.
10. Cris Rodriguez (OF)
- Highest Level: DSL ETA: 2028+ Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF with extreme risk
- Date Updated: 10/28/2025
- Tools Summary: Physical corner bat with power/speed tools. Aggressive approach and swing-and-miss risk.
Cris Rodriguez signed with the Tigers in January 2025 for a record-breaking $3.197 million and immediately stood out as a physical, toolsy prospect. At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, he projects for plus power and some early-career speed, though his long levers introduce swing-and-miss risk that will need to be managed.
Rodriguez had an impressive DSL season, slashing .308/.340/.564 with 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases over 50 games. He was aggressive at the plate, walking just 11 times—roughly once a week—but the power-speed combo was evident. His production came mostly from the left side, and he profiles best as a corner outfielder, likely in right field.
Fantasy managers should treat Rodriguez as a high-upside developmental bat. The raw tools suggest middle-of-the-order potential, and if the contact skills improve and the approach tightens, he could grow into a fantasy-relevant slugger with power-speed appeal.
