Some of baseball’s top prospects have made their MLB debuts within the last week, but don’t expect any of the Tigers’ top minor leaguers to be appearing in 2025. In an interview with MLB Network this past week (hat tip to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press), Tigers GM Jon Greenberg said a call-up of shortstop prospect Kevin McGonigle is likely not “on the radar right now,” and Greenberg also downplayed the possibility of Max Clark or Josue Briceno arriving in the majors.
“They’ve only been in Double-A for a month. It’s been fewer than 30 games,” the GM said. “Really excited with what Kevin has done, really excited with what Max has done, and some of the other guys in our system. But right now, the focus is on their development and getting the reps to continue to take those steps forward.”
MLB Pipeline and Baseball America each rank McGonigle as the second-best prospect in baseball, Clark ninth, and Briceno also in a prominent top-100 spot (Pipeline has him 32nd, BA 54th). As Greenberg noted, none of the group has much experience even at the Double-A level, though McGonigle and Clark have both been on fire at the plate since their call-up. While it seems like a further promotion to Triple-A could be possible before the 2025 season is through, any of these top prospects would very likely have to further excel in Toledo, and then the Tigers would have to feel confident enough to install any of these rookies right into the extra pressure of a postseason push. There isn’t much urgency for Detroit to make such an aggressive prospect promotion, as the Tigers have a 10.5-game division lead and look to be cruising towards the AL Central crown.
More from within the division…
- A rotator cuff strain sent Cole Ragans to the injured list in early June, but the Royals southpaw seems to be making good progress towards a late-season return. Manager Matt Quatraro told MLB.com’s Anne Rogers and other reporters that things went “really well” during a 30-pitch bullpen for Ragans on Thursday, which was Ragans’ fourth pen session. The next step is an “up-down” session today. Since Ragans will surely need at least couple of minor league rehab outings as the final stage of his recovery process, it would seem like the second week of September would be the absolute earliest Ragans might be able to return to the K.C. rotation. While a timeline is still very fluid, getting Ragans back would be a late boost to a Royals team that has won 14 of its last 22 games to surge back into the wild card race.
- The White Sox called catcher Korey Lee up from Triple-A yesterday, creating what is technically a bit of a logjam since Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero are already both on the active roster. However, manager Will Venable told reporters (including Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times) that having a third catcher available gives the Sox the ability to have both Teel and Quero in the lineup at catcher and DH, without worrying that an injury would leave the team short-handed during a game. Naturally the White Sox want to see as much as they can from both Teel and Quero in their rookie seasons, as the former top prospects both appear to be key pieces of Chicago’s rebuild, even if there’s still a lingering question about who will eventually emerge as the regular catcher.
I’m expecting to see Hao Yu Lee and/or Max Anderson up for a cup of coffee this fall. One of them will likely be taking over 2B for the Tigers in 2026…
NOT happening. First, both do not have roster spots. We already have some issues regarding whom do you DFA/release if and when Cobb and Urquidy are ready to come off of the 60 day IL. Then the possibility of Seward and Olson could be ready as well. That leaves no room to add someone from off the 40 man roster for a September call up. Add to that the fact that you get only 2 call ups and most teams will add the one pitcher allowed. Whether Anderson or Lee play 2B next year, we’ll see. But neither will likely get a call to the bigs this year.
Your observation about the 40-man roster crunch trumps all the other factors. They would permanently lose some decent players if they prematurely add these prospects to the roster.
If Torres is not resighned, then Keith will be back at 2nd and the hope at 3rd will still need to be filled. Believe Flaherty will exercise his $25M option as doubt any other team will offer him more. The offseason will be interesting as it will set the Tigers up for 2026 & 2027 until these AA prospects arrive in 2028
No way it takes them till 2028 to reach the majors that would be another whole season at AA and 2 at AAA that’s not happening
It would be interesting though if an infielder got injured. Specifically at 2b or 3rd. I wouldn’t think Harris would bring up an outfield only player. There’s Jung. Wouldn’t want Andy playing everyday especially against righties. If anyone, it would have to be M.Anderson.
When is MLB gonna wisen up and allow teams to position-switch a DH mid-game? Teams who want to DH a catcher for a day wouldn’t have to worry about this 3 catcher situation anymore and possibly keep the starting caliber catchers healthy.
I meannnn, we have the Ohtani Rule to help one team, so why not a DH Rule to help the other 29 like you say, kev?
They can already switch the DH into the catcher spot if they want. They just lose the DH and have to hit for the pitcher the rest of the game. No problem if they lose a catcher in the 8th inning, but more if it happens in an early inning.
Therein lies the point of an amendment or rule change here, Rox. Why should a team be “punished” early in a game if they just lost a player to injury?
Would you take Gleyber back on a 2 yr deal?
Pretty sure he’s gone but I think of the Flaherty off season where nobody wanted him at his price. Ideally I’d take him back in a 1 yr.
Would Gleyber accept a two year deal? I’d do it in a heartbeat if he would. In two years, the hope is that Rainer is the starting SS and Mac moves over to 2nd
In 2 yrs we might only have Keith and Dingler locked into a position. McG, Anderson, and Brisceno might be the new guys.
Rainer would be a bonus. We just have to keep in mind that out of all these guys including M.Clark- probably only 1 maybe 2 are actually going to pan out. And even then, how good will they actually be? Superstars or serviceable will be a huge question.
Clark, Briceno, Liranzo, and McGonigle have yet to play in AAA. They are not getting call ups so not sure why anyone would think the team with the best record in the AL would bring up untested kids. Yea, I get that they are exciting talents..
The new rules make it difficult for teams to give kids that “cup of coffee” in September. You get 2 and only one can be a pitcher. Now add to that a pennant race. Tigers are going to call up players that can help them right now win in September, clinch their division and hopefully that first round bye. Guys already on the 40 man.
Mcgonigle reminds me a lot of Jose Ramirez. Obviously that would be a high end outcome for him as a prospect and he doesn’t steal bases like Ramirez and Ramirez is a really good defender at 3b, but he seems like a special hitter in a compact body like Ramirez
The Dodgers and couple of other teams need a second baseman. They say Torres can get $20+. That makes it difficult for the Tigers, because that sets the bar for all Tigers, most of whom are same age, emerging skill sets..etc….
I don’t think Illich can/will do that.
That sets a price for Greene and the others pretty high and not likely to happen.
If somebody wants to pay Gleyber $20+ mill. for multiple years, they can have him. I think he belongs here, but a 29 year old 2B with a .750 OPS is not going to fetch $20 mill. a year for 5 or 6 years. If he can get it, more power to him and buh-bye!
He’ll want to at least hit 10 years service time for MLB pension…..he has ~7 now.
Bring up prospects early?
Why would they? Does the team need the boost? Does someone stink so bad, they need to be replaced? Is a prospect that hot? Bring him up as a favor to him, because.he is expected to have that storied of a career?
There’s a HUGE promotional aspect to bringing up a prospect…. Tiger fans survived off of that hope for 10 years……
Will the front office play that now with this team, this year? Or keep it in pocket for later use?
Someone’s career, life story, MLB history, the history of the country and the world…..decisions to be made by….
The Tigers’ GM.
Weird, huh?
With the Tigers playing good team baseball again, today’s start for Paddock will be very telling as far as him being a part of this rotation down the stretch and possible playoffs.
I watched yesterdays game with Mize… Once again that guy is just afraid to pitch in the zone. He cannot put batters away. This has been an issue since before the ASG. He might not make the playoff roster. At least Flaherty can put guys away. We need a 4th starter… And if it’s not going to be Melton or Oquirdy then it’s gotta be Paddack.