With our Lakeland Flying Tigers roster projection in the books, we move up the ladder to High-A West Michigan Whitecaps where some of Detroit’s most intriguing young talent will take the next step in their development. The Whitecaps have been home to many of the Tigers’ top prospects in recent years, and the 2025 roster figures to be no different.
While we can’t predict every move—injuries, promotions, and late spring training decisions will impact the final roster—there’s plenty to analyze. This Roster Projection 1.0 will break down each position group, highlight key returners and potential breakout candidates, and examine how this year’s squad could shake out.
Expect to see a mix of rising stars from last year’s Lakeland roster, recent draft picks, and some players looking to rebound from rough 2024 campaigns. Some names are already well-known within the system, while others will have a chance to make a name for themselves in front of West Michigan fans.Over the offseason, LMCU Ballpark underwent upgrades, including new fan viewing areas, a relocated bullpen in right-center field, and a new clubhouse for the players. These renovations will be ready in time for the West Michigan Whitecaps‘ season opener and home debut on April 4 against Dayton.
Will this projection be perfect? Of course not. But one thing is clear: this roster has the potential to be competitive in the Midwest League and make a serious push for the postseason. The pieces are there—now it’s a matter of development, performance, and a bit of luck.
Let’s dive in.
Right-Handed Pitchers (RHP)
- Rayner Castillo
- Colin Fields
- Zack Lee
- Carlos Marcano
- Hayden Minton
- Joseph Montalvo
- Josh Randall
- Kenny Serwa
- Cam Brown
Left-Handed Pitchers (LHP)
- Joe Adametz
- Joe Miller
- Gabriel Reyes
- Andrew Sears
- Drew Sommers
The Whitecaps could feature one of the deepest and most intriguing starting rotations in the Tigers’ minor league system, blending high-strikeout stuff, groundball efficiency, and unique pitch profiles. This rotation brings a mix of high-upside prospects, polished arms, and unconventional pitchers, giving West Michigan a strong foundation on the mound and the potential to dominate the Midwest League in 2025.
Rayner Castillo headlines this group after a breakout season in Lakeland, where he posted a 2.56 ERA and an elite 58.6% groundball rate, thanks to his mid-90s fastball and heavy sinker. Gabriel Reyes, another emerging arm, brings an elite changeup that was recognized as one of the best in the Tigers’ system, helping him post a 33.9% strikeout rate last season. Andrew Sears, a lefty with a dominant slider, showed he can miss bats at a high level, striking out 101 batters in 89.2 innings while posting a 2.51 ERA.
Adding to the depth, Josh Randall, the Tigers’ third-round pick, features a 97-98 mph sinker and a high-spin slider, making him a power arm to watch. Joseph Montalvo, acquired from Texas in the Andrew Chafin trade, put together a solid season with a 3.00 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 78 innings, proving he can handle a starter’s workload. Joe Adametz, who pitched in West Michigan last year, provides an experienced left-handed option who can log quality innings. Zack Lee adds another steady presence to the rotation after a strong season in Lakeland, where he posted a 3.16 ERA over 82.2 innings with 88 strikeouts and a 1.11 WHIP.
Drew Sommers, acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay for Mason Englert, is an intriguing addition to this group. The left-hander spent last season in High-A Bowling Green, where he made 41 appearances and struck out 65 batters in 54 innings. While he has primarily worked as a reliever, his ability to generate strikeouts could make him a versatile weapon for the Whitecaps.
And then there’s Kenny Serwa, one of the most fascinating arms in the system. The hard-throwing knuckleballer gained national attention when he threw an 88.5 mph knuckleball—believed to be the hardest ever recorded—during a session at Tread Athletics. The Tigers took a chance on him, signing him to a minor league contract, much like they did with Duque Hebbert, who went viral after striking out MLB stars in the World Baseball Classic. The Tigers have shown they aren’t afraid to take chances on unconventional pitchers, and Serwa’s knuckleball-fastball mix could make him a true wild card in this rotation.
With this combination of high-strikeout prospects, polished starters, a versatile bullpen arm, and a one-of-a-kind knuckleballer, West Michigan’s pitching staff could be one of the most exciting in the Midwest League. If these pitchers continue their development, several could push for Double-A Erie before the season ends.
Infielders:
Kevin McGonigle
Izaac Pacheco
Jim Jarvis
John Peck
Samuel Gil
Junior Tillien
Josue Briceno
It was not too long ago that the Tigers infield depth was lacking. Now, for the first time in quite some time, the infield prospect pool has some depth and talent, featuring players poised to make significant impacts in the near future. With a mix of highly ranked prospects and versatile defenders, West Michigan’s infield continues the trend of having players who can play all over the infield with solid defense abilities.
Kevin McGonigle headlines this group as our Tigers’ number two prospect and one of the highest-ranked players in the system across all sites. Selected 37th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, McGonigle quickly showcased his elite bat-to-ball skills, posting a .326 batting average and .407 on-base percentage in Low-A before a hamate fracture ended his season early. With an advanced approach at the plate and developing power, McGonigle has the tools to rise quickly through the system once healthy. Defensively, he’s expected to stick at shortstop or second base, and his baseball IQ and leadership make him a key piece of the Tigers’ future.
Izaac Pacheco, a former second-round pick in 2021, continues to work on refining his power-heavy offensive profile. The left-handed-hitting third baseman has flashed raw power, but his strikeout rate and approach remain areas for improvement. This is the year that Pacheco needs to show he can go to the next level as he starts potentially his third season with West Michigan. If he can improve his bat-to-ball skills, Pacheco can move up to Erie but the at-bats and consistent of play will need to be there.
Junior Tilien, acquired from the Mets in the Rule 5 Draft, brings defensive versatility to the Whitecaps’ infield mix. A strong defender with experience at second base, shortstop, and third, Tilien is a defense first type of player, with a good eye at the plate. Originally signed by the Mets in 2019, he’s shown steady progression through the minor league ranks and will look to carve out a role in West Michigan when the call ups begin in the early summer.
Jim Jarvis, a contact-oriented infielder, offers high baseball IQ and solid defensive skills. While not a major power threat, he provides stability in the middle infield and could be a useful contributor at multiple positions.
John Peck, another versatile infielder, has the potential to contribute across the diamond. While information on his offensive upside remains limited, he will look to prove himself as a consistent bat and reliable defender.
Josue Briceno (#5 on our Top 40 list) enters 2025 as one of the Tigers’ most intriguing young hitters, coming off a dominant Arizona Fall League campaign where he won the Triple Crown. The switch-hitting infielder put up an impressive .373 batting average, led the league in home runs, and showcased an advanced approach at the plate, based on a few mechanical changes. Signed as an international free agent in 2022, Briceno has quickly climbed Detroit’s prospect rankings, and if his bat continues to produce, he could be one of the system’s breakout stars this year.
Samuel Gil, signed out of Venezuela in 2022, has made steady strides in the Tigers’ system. The five-foot-eight middle infielder has shown strong defensive fundamentals and a contact-first approach at the plate. Gil began in the Dominican Summer League before making his way to Lakeland, where he impressed despite missing some time due to injury. His ability to handle both second base and shortstop makes him a valuable depth piece moving forward.
This potential infield group provides a blend of high-end talent, defensive versatility, and developing power, making it one of the most well-rounded units in the Tigers’ system.
Catchers:
Bennett Lee
Eduardo Valencia
Ricardo Hurtado
Bennett Lee is recognized for his defensive prowess and ability to manage pitching staffs effectively. His strong arm and quick release make him a reliable presence behind the plate.
Eduardo Valencia, a right-handed catcher from Venezuela, spent last season with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, where he recorded a .241 batting average with 4 home runs and 26 RBIs over 220 at-bats.
Ricardo Hurtado, also from Venezuela, split time between the Lakeland Flying Tigers and West Michigan. He posted a .231 batting average with 3 home runs and 22 RBIs over 134 at-bats, showing promise as he continues to develop within the organization. If Andrew Jenkins is returning, it is possible to see Briceńo behind the plate again but can assume the Tigers want to keep him healthy after his knee surgery.
Outfielders:
Max Clark
Brett Callahan
Seth Stephenson
This was the toughest projection based on what I said about Lakeland with De La Cruz and perhaps even Cristian Santana, but here we go.
Max Clark: Drafted third overall in 2023, Clark has quickly become one of the Tigers’ most promising prospects. Known for his plus-plus speed, he consistently records home-to-first times between 4.0 and 4.1 seconds, making him a significant threat on the basepaths and an asset in center field. In his first full professional season in 2024, Clark posted a .286/.386/.421 slash line in Low-A, demonstrating his advanced approach at the plate. His defensive skills are complemented by a strong arm, capable of reaching 97 mph from the outfield. As he continues to develop, Clark is projected to start the 2025 season in High-A West Michigan, with the potential for a mid-season promotion to Double-A.
Brett Callahan: Callahan’s 2024 season was hampered by injuries, limiting his playing time. Despite these setbacks, he showcased his speed by successfully stealing 21 bases in 25 attempts. When healthy, Callahan exhibits a well-rounded skill set, including solid defensive capabilities and offensive potential. The Tigers are optimistic that a fully healthy season will allow him to make significant strides in his development.
Seth Stephenson: One of the fastest players in professional baseball, Stephenson recorded 60-yard dash times under 6.2 seconds and home-to-first times as quick as 3.94 seconds. His elite speed translated into 70 stolen bases in 2023 and 60 in 2024, with an impressive success rate of 87% in the latter season. Offensively, he maintained a .381 on-base percentage, partly due to his knack for getting on base by any means, including being hit by pitches 30 times. Defensively, Stephenson is versatile, capably covering all three outfield positions and possessing one of the best arms in the system. While his power is limited due to his smaller stature, his speed and defensive skills make him a valuable asset in the Tigers’ organization.
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