Detroit Tigers 2020 Midseason Top 30 Prospects Update

To see every team’s Top 30 prospects list, click here.

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STATE OF THE SYSTEM

A system that has been steadily climbing the organizational rankings in recent years as part of a big rebuilding project in Detroit continues to get better. It already boasted enviable pitching depth, and the 2020 draft should go a long way toward balancing things out with more impact position players, led by 1B Spencer Torkelson.

1. Spencer Torkelson, 3B

Power is what draws the most attention to Torkelson, but he also boasts an advanced hit tool that makes him a well-rounded hitter. Being able to handle third base would be a bonus, but it’s his bat that makes him the Tigers’ top prospect.

2. Casey Mize, RHP

Mize wasn’t always healthy in 2019, but when he was, he was quite effective in 15 starts at Double-A. If healthy, the righthander should be back on the path to becoming a frontline starter.

3. Matt Manning, RHP

Manning dominated at Double-A in 2019. In a system packed with talented pitchers, he could be ready to separate himself and help the big league club in 2020.

4. Tarik Skubal, LHP

Few pitchers did more to help their prospect stock in 2019 than Skubal, who struck out 82 batters in 42.1 innings at Double-A. Add him to the list of talented arms who could help in the big leagues sooner rather than later.

5. Riley Greene, OF

Greene projects to be an impact bat for the Tigers, even if he is still a long way from the big leagues. After showing well in spurts in big league camp this spring, Greene is currently in summer camp with the Tigers, with the 2020 season being all about continued development for the outfielder.

6. Isaac Paredes, SS/3B

Paredes mashed at Double-A as a 19-year-old in a small sample in 2018, but backed that up by returning to the level in 2019 and doing it again. There’s little doubt that he will hit in the big leagues one day.

7. Dillon Dingler, C

A former center fielder at Ohio State, Dingler brings uncommon athleticism to the catcher position. That athleticism and a big league-ready arm make him an intriguing prospect defensively, and his strength and build suggest he could hit for power moving forward.

8. Alex Faedo, RHP

What Faedo lacks in terms of stuff relative to other elite pitching prospects in the Tigers’ system, he makes up for in the way he competes. A competitive nature and above-average control make him a contender to be in Detroit’s rotation someday.

9. Daniel Cabrera, OF

A productive player at powerhouse Louisiana State, Cabrera adds depth to the Tigers’ position player prospect group with a sweet swing that scouts have coveted since his high school days and raw power that he was only truly beginning to tap into in college.

10. Daz Cameron, OF

As the son of former big leaguer Mike Cameron, it’s no surprise that Daz Cameron is lauded for the way he approaches the game and his maturity. His solid all-around game could get him to the big leagues. How well he hits once he’s there will have a lot to do with his role.

11. Franklin Perez, RHP
12. Gage Workman, 3B
13. Willi Castro, SS
14. Jake Rogers, C
15. Joey Wentz, LHP
16. Parker Meadows, OF
17. Colt Keith, 3B
18. Roberto Campos, OF
19. Wenceel Perez, SS
20. Beau Burrows, RHP
21. Kody Clemens, 2B
22. Bryan Garcia, RHP
23. Elvin Rodriguez, RHP
24. Anthony Castro, RHP
25. Nick Quintana, 3B
26. Sergio Alcantara, SS
27. Trei Cruz, SS
28. Derek Hill, OF
29. Paul Richan, RHP
30. Adinso Reyes, SS

SYSTEM STRENGTHS

Pitching, pitching, pitching. The Tigers could run out a rotation tomorrow of five of their best pitching prospects and probably feel pretty good. Obviously, it’s not quite that simple, but the pitching depth should fill the Tigers’ faithful with optimism about the team’s chances for an outstanding pitching staff in the big leagues somewhere down the line and the opportunities the depth will present for the front office to perhaps flip some of this pitching in trades for pieces to help build a contender.

SYSTEM WEAKNESSES

There aren’t a ton of big league-ready bats knocking on the door, even if the Tigers really fast-track 3B Spencer Torkelson. Paredes is closest, but he’s still young, and outside of him, there are mostly players like OF Riley Greene, who are still a few years away, or more big league-ready players like Derek Hill, a defensive-minded outfielder, and OF Daz Cameron, who has serious questions to answer about his future productivity at the plate.

PLAYER POOL TIDBITS

The Tigers added most of their top prospects to the player pool for the 2020 season. When you’re a rebuilding franchise, these summer camps are a great chance for prospects to get lots of reps in pseudo-competitive environments.

INJURIES

LHP Joey Wentz had Tommy John surgery in March, and therefore was one of the exclusions from the player pool. RHPs Casey Mize and Beau Burrows were both shut down late in their 2019 seasons but are expected to be at full strength moving forward.