Welcome to Tigers Minor League Report’s top 40 prospects in the Detroit Tigers system. This is our sixth article breaking down the top 40 Detroit Tigers prospects list, five players at a time.
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.
You can read our previous posts here: 40-36, 35-31, 30-26, 25-21, 20-16 15-11
10 – Jaden Hamm – RHP
| DOB (Age) | HT/WT | B/T | Acquired |
| 09/05/2002 (22) | 6’1/190 | R/R | Draft (2023, 5th) |
Votes: Chris (12), Jerry (9), Rogelio (9)
Our Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2024 was the model of consistency in 2024, taking home the Midwest League Pitcher of the Year award in his full season in pro ball. He threw 99 innings, striking out 122, posting an ERA of 2.64 and posted a BB per 9 of 2.82.
Hamm was dominating in May, tossing 17.1 innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out 21, allowing just eight hits during that stretch. He features a fastball 91-94 MPH that with good arm side run with a 55 grade curve with his rocker step and knee lift to mid-torso delivery, appearing to come over the top. The key to his solid season is his repeatable mechanics.
Both left-handed and right-handed hitters struggled against him. Lefties hit just .205 with four home runs, while righties fared even worse at .198, also managing only four home runs. Simply put, he pounds the strike zone. As he potentially starts the season in Erie, the key for him will be building strength and ideally adding velocity to his pitch mix. If Hamm can make those gains, he has the potential to develop into a back-end starter.
The Tigers’ scouting department deserves credit for identifying Hamm during the draft, as he flew under the radar. However, he has since gained recognition, appearing on Baseball America’s Top 100 list and earning a high ranking from Keith Law.
9 – Troy Melton – RHP
| DOB (Age) | HT/WT | B/T | Acquired |
| 10/03/2000 (24) | 6’0/205 | L/R | Draft (2022, 1st) |
Votes: Chris (9), Jerry (10), Rogelio (5)
After a strong debut in High-A in 2023, Melton was second behind Wilkel Hernandez in games started in Erie as he learned to adjust to the advanced hitters he was facing. I wrote in the best control piece:
“Troy Melton is a case study in the difference between control and command. He threw a ton of strikes all year, never walking more than three batters in any of his 23 starts. He also racked up 119 strikeouts in just over 100 innings. His problem was that too many of those strikes found the middle of the plate. Melton gave up a lot of hard contact, allowing an ugly 1.7 HR/9 last year. But he has above-average stuff, and he’s a good athlete, so we think he has the ability to improve his command in 2025.”
Melton is facing the same challenge Ty Madden encountered upon reaching Erie: getting right-handers out. Righties hit .325 against him, while lefties managed just .228. However, an unusual split emerged—despite his success against lefties, he surrendered 13 home runs to them, compared to only six against right-handers.
Still, his strikeout rate was a bright spot. With 119 strikeouts in 100.2 innings (10.6 K/9), he led the SeaWolves’ rotation.
Troy is open to any adjustments the Tigers suggest refining his pitch mix. He may start the season in Erie to log more innings, given the potential logjam of starters in Toledo—and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. With a fastball that can touch 98-99 mph and a slider that works as a solid chase pitch against righties, he has the tools to keep progressing.
8 – Jace Jung – 3B/2B
| DOB (Age) | HT/WT | B/T | Acquired |
| 10/03/2000 (24) | 6’0/205 | L/R | Draft (2022, 1st) |
Votes: Chris (9), Jerry (10), Rogelio (5)
As of now, Jung is the Tigers’ starting third baseman. However, after his call-up to Detroit, a wrist injury affected his performance at the plate, sapping his power. This was a stark contrast to 2023, when he hit 28 home runs between Erie and Toledo.
Regardless of his defensive ability at third, Jung has a strong approach at the plate. He can hit to all fields and demonstrates a good eye, posting a .666 OPS over 34 games in his debut. Chris has pointed out that he has fallen off various prospect lists—perhaps due to concerns about his defense at third—but his long-term future could be at second base. I believe he has the skill set to hold his own there.
Jung’s performance in spring training will be closely watched, and he will definitely play with a chip on shoulder. The Tigers may still instead opt for a third-base platoon of Andy Ibáñez and Matt Vierling. Where he ultimately gets his reps remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—he’s still a dangerous hitter with plenty of power potential.
7 – Bryce Rainer – SS
| DOB (Age) | HT/WT | B/T | Acquired |
| 07/03/2005 (19) | 6’3/195 | L/R | Draft (2024, 1st) |
Votes: Chris (5), Jerry (7), Rogelio (8)
Chris’s scouting report sums up why the Tigers were quick to snatch up Rainer when he fell to them in the draft.
Bryce Rainer has legitimate superstar potential. Hit tool questions may ultimately prevent him from reaching his MVP-level ceiling, but he has the supporting tools to carve out a solid pro career somewhere on the left side of the infield. And even if he falls flat on offense, Rainer still offers a moderate floor as a power-armed pitcher with a feel for spinning the ball.
His swing is fluid and quick through the zone, currently designed for line drives up the middle. However, he still has room to grow into his 6’3″, 195-pound frame. Rainer made adjustments to elevate his stock in the draft circuit, showcasing his ability to recognize and address weaknesses at the plate. He even has the arm range to move third, if needed.
That work ethic should be a valuable asset for the Tigers’ player development staff.
6 – Thayron Liranzo – C/1B
| DOB (Age) | HT/WT | B/T | Acquired |
| 07/25/2003 (21) | 6’2/195 | B/R | Trade (LAD, 07/24) |
Votes: Chris (4), Jerry (8), Rogelio (7)
At first glance, the trade for Liranzo was met with a collective groan, as his numbers at Great Lakes reflected a slight regression from his time at Single-A. However, his performance at West Michigan helped fuel the Whitecaps’ second-half playoff push. He slashed .315/.470/.562 with an OPS over 1.000, tallying 12 extra-base hits and driving in 26 runs.
Working with Tigers roving catching instructor Brayan Peña proved invaluable. As he told Emily Waldon during the Arizona Fall League, his arm was already a strength, but he needed to improve his lateral movement and framing behind the plate.
“Working with (Peña) definitely doesn’t feel like work because there’s a different kind of connection between us,” Liranzo said. “There’s a different understanding within each other. There’s a mutual respect and a connection there, so it doesn’t feel like work because it’s fun. The way that he does things and learning from him, it does not feel like work.”
Liranzo makes loud contact and has the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Turning 22 this year, he is likely to start the season in Erie. That said, it’s important to note that catchers often take time to adjust to Double-A pitching. However, given his age, he’ll be young for the level—if he can hit in Erie, his path to Detroit could be much shorter.
Next up, our top five prospects!
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Chris Brown