Detroit Tigers Top Prospects for 2025

Welcome to Tigers Minor League Report’s top 40 prospects in the Detroit Tigers system. This is our third article breaking down the top 40 list, five players at a time.  You can find the first two 40-36 and 35-31.

A reminder that Chris, Jerry, and Rogelio each made individual lists of 50+ players, then averaged the lists to get final rankings. And this year we’re doing player capsules, which are part biographical, part recap, and part scouting report.

30 – Tyler Owens – RHP

Votes: Chris (29), Jerry (49), Rogelio (15)

Tyler Owens was added to the 40-man roster, and for good reason. The fastball touched 99 MPH with good riding action on the upper part of the strike zone with a slider and a splitter, which gives him two strikeout pitches to work with in what could be the closer role to start the season in Toledo.

New Mud Hens Manager Gabe Alvarez used him well down the stretch when the Tigers picked him up in the trade to Texas for Carson Kelly, striking out 17 in his final 11 innings of work, including picking up the last out in Erie’s second straight Eastern League title, so the trust will be there to start the season.

In order to get to Detroit, he will need to continue to pitch better against lefties, who hit .294 against him in 2024.

29 – Jose Dickson – SS

Votes: Chris (31), Jerry (30), Rogelio (NA)

Dickson is the youngest player on our list and our first DSL position player. Chris and Jerry had no problem putting on the list and I must admit, I was miffed as the case with players I try to evaluate, I like to see as much as them as possible but after seeing the swing that was posted by Josh Norris of Baseball America, for his age, the potential to develop more power is there, once he grows into his body more.

He has already shown a good eye at the plate in the Dominican Summer League, with his numbers earning him a spot on the DSL All-Star Game in 2024. When other lists out there have a strong impression of Dickson already, seems like he may be break through in Complex Ball in 2025.

28 – Eddys Leonard – INF

Votes: Chris (33), Jerry (27), Rogelio (NA)

A big “what if” season in 2024 for Leonard. He took advantage of the playing time he was given by Manager A.J. Hinch in spring training, but injuries took a toll on Leonard as he missed a majority of April and May. Then after coming back in June, he missed time again and wasn’t back in Toledo until August.

Leonard looked like he found his power stroke in September, hitting 7 of his 12 home runs, finishing the season hitting .284/.342/.649 in the final 19 games. Is he an everyday shortstop? No, but he has the athletic ability to play there in a pinch and shows good speed on the base paths and the ability to play in the outfield as well. Leonard will need to hit better against lefties in order to be an everyday regular, but there are some intriguing tools there that could help the Tigers in a pinch.

27 – Justice Bigbie – OF

Votes: Chris (27), Jerry (20), Rogelio (42)

A big “what if” season in 2024 for Leonard. He took advantage of the playing time he was given by Manager A.J. Hinch in spring training, but injuries took a toll on Leonard as he missed a majority of April and May. Then after coming back in June, he missed time again and wasn’t back in Toledo until August.

Leonard looked like he found his power stroke in September, hitting 7 of his 12 home runs, finishing the season hitting .284/.342/.649 in the final 19 games. Is he an everyday shortstop? No, but he has the athletic ability to play there in a pinch and shows good speed on the base paths and the ability to play in the outfield as well. Leonard will need to hit better against lefties in order to be an everyday regular, but there are some intriguing tools there that could help the Tigers in a pinch.

26 – Gabriel Reyes – LHP

Votes: Chris (26), Jerry (NA), Rogelio (31)

Reyes made the transition to Complex Ball to Single-A easy, striking out 82 in 65.2 innings of work, (11.24 K per 9) controlling the strike zone with a walks per 9 of 2.60. He held FSL hitters to just a .215 batting average, with a fastball that was 91-93 that could switch eye levels with a slider and was able to use the pitch against both lefties and righties.

Reyes also throws a change and a curve, so he could be a starter but definitely has the makeup to be a good bullpen arm. If he can continue this trend at High-A West Michigan, he should be able to make more noise on the other prospect lists out there.