Erie SeaWolves 2025 Roster Projection 1.0

After securing back-to-back Eastern League titles, the Erie SeaWolves enter the 2025 season with momentum and high expectations. The Tigers’ Double-A affiliate has been a crucial development stop for some of Detroit’s top prospects, and this year should be no different. With a mix of returning contributors and guys like Max Clark and Kevin McGongile potentially making the jump from West Michigan, at some point, the SeaWolves will once again have a roster filled with players to watch.

The SeaWolves are the first Double-A Tigers affilate to repeat since the Montgomery Rebels did back in 1975-77.

In this projection, we take an early look at how Erie’s Opening Day roster might shape up. As always, these are early guesses based on current assignments, organizational trends, and player development timelines—things can and will change before the season begins. To also add the caveat that with the injuries to Matt Vierling and Parker Meadows, this could also play a factor in what the Opening Day at Erie could look like.

Now, let’s dive into the breakdown of the potential 2025 Erie SeaWolves roster with Andrew Graham back for his second tour in Erie.

Right-handed pitchers (RHP)

Troy Melton (SP) (#9)
Jaden Hamm (SP) (#10)
Colin Fields (SP)
Wilkel Hernandez (SP)
Dylan Smith (SP-RP)
Eric Silva (RP)
CJ Weins (RP)
Trevin Michael (RP)
Tanner Kohlhepp (RP)
Max Alba (RP)
Marco Jimenez (RP)

Left-handed pitchers (LHP)

Jake Miller (SP-RP)
Carlos Pena (SP-RP)

The SeaWolves starting rotation should be a mix of familiar and new faces, as the Tigers have a tendency to put a few minor league veterans among the prospects. Among the new faces should be Jaden Hamm, who was the Midwest League Pitcher of the Year and should be ready to take on Double-A hitters. Colin Fields has one of the better curveballs in the system as the Eastern League will be a challenge to see if he can use that high spin and command on it to get the more advanced hitters out.

Fresh off the heels of making his first appearance of the spring on Friday against Toronto is Dylan Smith. If he is healthy and the command can be consistent, the interesting combination of his secondaries can make him a reliever option or even the back end of a rotation. Scouts have given his slider a 60 grade since he can use it on both sides of the plate. The fastball sits at 91-93 and question of his stamina is there so that is why he could end up as a reliever.

Speaking of relievers, Max Alba and Marco Jimenez both flash big arms, similar what SeaWolves fans saw in RJ Petit and Tyler Mattison in the 2023 season. Both can light up the radar gun, just the question of getting their command under control.

Tanner Kohlhepp is likely slated for the SeaWolves bullpen, where the Tigers hope he can refine his control and move quickly as a potential high-leverage reliever. He has closer-type stuff, but probably not the role immediately given his inexperience.

Expect Erie to use him in a middle relief or piggyback role early on – perhaps 2-inning outings to build consistency. If he’s throwing strikes, Kohlhepp could skyrocket – his stuff is that good. He could become Erie’s most dominant bullpen arm, a strikeout machine mowing down AA hitters. In that scenario, a promotion to Triple-A (or even a Detroit look) wouldn’t be out of the question late in the year. However, a more measured expectation is that he’ll have some ups and downs as he finds his command. But do not be surprised if he ends up in our midseason list in the upper 20’s, if not, higher.

Even so, Erie should benefit from his swing-and-miss ability – he can come in with men on and get a huge strikeout. Chris Brown thinks based on his grip, he could be throwing a screwball but his changeup in spring training has looked absolutely dirty.

Apologies on missing the first out of Tanner Kohlhepp’s 9th inning appearance. Had a pair of strikeouts in the inning, changeup looked really good. pic.twitter.com/q9yNRdw4gx

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) February 26, 2025

The Tigers have several prospects who could be used in piggyback starts at both West Michigan and Lakeland, and Erie is no different. Jake Miller, who moved up through three levels last season, will be a lefty to watch based on his mechanics and high strikeout numbers last season. (11.7 per 9 at High-A in 62.1 innings of work)

Catchers:

Off the top of my head, I can’t recall seeing two switch hitter catches on an Opening Day roster in the minor league system, with Liranzo headlining the group and Alfonzo returning to Erie. As we said during our podcast series about Liranzo, there might be an adjustment to the level, but the patience at the plate is already there with power and contact to all fields.

Both catchers on defense are works in progress, but Liranzo’s arm and Alfonzo’s ability to call a game is why these are the two guys who will start the season in Erie.

Infielders:

Luke Gold
Andrew Jenkins
Max Anderson
Danny Serretti
Peyton Graham
Trei Cruz (IL)

Cruz will more than likely start the season on the IL after undergoing Tommy John internal brace surgery on his right elbow. With Gage Workman currently on the Cubs roster and more than likely starting there, it marks the first time the SeaWolves infield has almost a new look and feel to it on this projection.

Luke Gold (2B/3B)

Hitting: Contact-first hitter with a good barrel rate and low strikeout tendencies. Gap power, but not a big home run threat. Walks at a decent clip.
Defense: Serviceable at second and third base, but limited range and a below-average arm could keep him at 2B.
2025 Role: Everyday 2B/3B option for Erie. He’ll need to prove his bat is consistent enough to move up.

Andrew Jenkins (1B)

Hitting: High-contact, all-fields hitter who lacks traditional first-base power but hits for a decent average. Ground-ball-heavy approach.
Defense: Solid first baseman with good hands and a chance to play some corner outfield, but 1B is his primary spot.
2025 Role: Starting 1B/DH for Erie. Needs to keep hitting for average to compensate for his lower power output.

Max Anderson (2B)

Hitting: One of the best pure hitters in the system. Good bat-to-ball skills, plus raw power (20+ HR potential), but still working on lifting the ball consistently.
Defense: Limited range at 2B, below-average arm. Could eventually move to 1B or LF if quickness doesn’t improve.
2025 Role: Likely starts at second.

Danny Serretti (SS/3B)

Hitting: High-contact switch-hitter, good strike-zone awareness but modest power. Consistent at-bats, doesn’t strike out much.
Defense: Reliable glove at SS, 2B, and 3B. Great hands and instincts, but limited range could push him into a utility role.
2025 Role: Likely starting SS for Erie, but could be a super-utility infielder if others rise quickly.

Peyton Graham (SS)

Hitting: Boom-or-bust profile. High strikeout rate but potential plus power. Struggles with breaking balls but could develop into a power/speed threat.
Defense: Best defensive SS in this group. Plus arm, great range, and athleticism make him a long-term SS if the bat comes around.
2025 Role: Healthy, he should start the season as Erie’s starting shortstop. Needs to cut down on strikeouts to stick as a long-term MLB piece.

These five infielders will be key contributors for Erie in 2025, with Anderson and Graham as higher-upside bats, while Serretti and Gold provide stability to start the season. Jenkins’ batting average will be key to his first-base future, while Graham’s defense gives him the highest floor if his offense lags.

Outfielders:

Roberto Campos (OF)

Hitting Profile: Campos remains one of the more polarizing prospects in the Tigers’ system. Signed for $2.85 million as an international free agent in 2019, the right-handed hitter has raw power (plus to double-plus) but has yet to fully tap into it in games. His swing is a bit grooved, leading to a lot of ground balls and line drives instead of lofted home runs.

He makes solid contact and has posted low strikeout rates compared to other power hitters, but his approach still needs refining to take advantage of his strength. In High-A West Michigan in 2024, he showed flashes of progress but still finished with an OPS around .700—decent, but not the breakout many hoped for.

Defensive Ability: Campos is a corner outfielder with an above-average arm and solid instincts, though he lacks true burner speed to play center field long-term. He’s been primarily playing right field and projects best there due to his strong arm.
Expected 2025 Role: Campos will likely start the year in Erie, getting a shot at proving his bat can handle Double-A pitching. He’ll need to show he can elevate the ball more and drive it with authority to reach his ceiling as a potential middle-of-the-order bat.

Seth Stephenson (OF/2B)

Hitting Profile: Stephenson is a high-contact, slap-hitting speedster who controls the strike zone well but has little power. He relies on making contact and using his elite speed (70-grade on the 20-80 scale) to create offense. He doesn’t strike out much but also doesn’t walk a ton, which could limit his on-base ability.
Defensive Ability: A versatile athlete, Stephenson has played center field and second base. His speed gives him great range, but his arm is below average, making him a better fit for second base or left field rather than right or center long-term.
Expected 2025 Role: Erie could use him as a table-setter at the top of the lineup. If he can continue to steal bases efficiently (he swiped 40+ bags in 2023), he could be a valuable leadoff option.

Patrick Lee (OF)

Hitting Profile: Lee is an athletic outfielder with solid power and speed, but his bat-to-ball skills are still developing. He has gap power, meaning he could rack up doubles and some homers if he continues refining his approach.
Defensive Ability: A true center field athlete, Lee has good instincts and above-average speed, giving him the range to play an up-the-middle role.
Expected 2025 Role: Depending on his offensive progress, he could rotate between center and left field for Erie but as a right-handed bat, with the injuries in Detroit, if he can hit consistently, he may see time again in Toledo or even at Comerica Park, which would be a great story, considering he went undrafted.

Patrick Lee smokes a triple into the right field wall, 102.7 MPH off the bat to score Justice Bigbie. pic.twitter.com/bkESIiC1Si

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) February 28, 2025

Brady Allen (OF)

Hitting Profile: Allen was acquired in a trade with the Marlins and fits the classic power-hitting corner outfielder mold. He has above-average raw power and can drive the ball well when he makes contact. However, his swing can be long, leading to higher strikeout rates.
Defensive Ability: He is a solid defender with enough arm strength for right field and moves well enough to play both corner spots.
Expected 2025 Role: Allen will likely be a middle-of-the-order bat for Erie, providing power while trying to refine his plate discipline.

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