Following his Eastern League managerial stint in 2018, Andrew Graham is no stranger to the Erie SeaWolves and Eastern League competition.
However, this time around, the Australian native and 2023 Florida State League Coach of the Year returns to the helm of a back-to-back defending league champion.
“I’m excited to manage at a higher level of competition,” Graham said. “I’m excited to help develop the players and help them move up to Toledo and help impact the Tigers. I’m excited to get more in-depth with developing their defense and base running. These players are hungry to move up and to help impact the Tigers, but also to win three championships in a row. The guys are hungry to work hard and continue getting better.”
For Graham, this season brings another opportunity to contribute to the Tigers’ efforts to strengthen the culture of the farm system as a whole. In Erie, a large part of this will be credited to the players who will be returning to the SeaWolves roster for the 2025 season.
“It’s always helpful to have returning players who know how to act professionally on the field and in the clubhouse,” Graham said. “These players will help guide the newer players and keep the team headed in the correct direction.
“Having returning players who were part of the team the past two to three seasons helps dramatically,” Graham added. “We all believe in each other and look forward to developing and winning another championship.”
Watching the evolution of the SeaWolves over the years, assistant general manager and team director of communications Greg Gania understands better than most how valuable the momentum of the back-to-back championships means going into this season.
“The past six seasons have been the winningest period in team history, and we’re looking forward to another great year in Erie,” Gania said. “Winning consecutive titles is something that has only happened 11 times in the history of the Eastern League which dates back to 1923. The strength of the Tigers’ farm system under the new regime has completely changed the landscape for all of the affiliates.
It’s a winning culture, and we’re happy to play a role in promoting the all the great talent and future Tigers.”
Names to watch in 2025:
1. C Thayron Liranzo
Since his arrival to Detroit’s farm system by way of the Jack Flaherty trade to the Dodgers, Thayron Liranzo has made it exceedingly clear that he will produce offensively, flashing power from both sides of the plate with his switch-hitting profile. The biggest question tied to the 2024 Arizona Fall League All Star is where he would fit defensively. The Tigers’ front office has made it abundantly clear that they are invested in Liranzo’s development behind the plate, including extensive work with roving catching instructor Brayan Peña. A new level of competition should benefit Liranzo’s development on both sides of the ball this season.
2. RHP Joseph Montalvo
Acquired from the Texas Rangers, along with RHP Chase Lee, in exchange for LHP Andrew Chafin, 22-year-old Montalvo completed a 19-inning campaign with West Michigan to complete the 2024 season. The wiry 6’2, 185-pound righthander will get to test out a projectable three-pitch pitch mix against an Eastern League crop of hitters known to test the durability of any up-and-coming arm.
3. RHP Jaden Hamm
Prior to the 2024 season, Jaden Hamm was relatively off the grid in terms of prospect conversation. However, after an April campaign that resulted in a 1.33 ERA over 20 ⅓ innings and a Midwest League Pitcher of the Month award, people began to take notice. At 6’1, 190 pounds, Hamm’s finesse-over-velocity style will face a true test against Eastern League hitters, and we should get a good glimpse of how quickly that finesse will be able to adapt as the 2025 season progresses.
4. OF Roberto Campos
One of the most buzzed-about international signings within Detroit’s farm system, 2025 will be a showcasing opportunity for the now 21-year-old Campos. After slashing .272/.342/.425 over 118 games with the High-A Whitecaps last season, Campos will be able to put his offensive eye to the test against arguably the most challenging level of pitching to adapt to. Defensively, Campos has continued to adapt well, so expect the main focus to be on how well his offensive abilities match within the Eastern League this season.
5. INF Max Anderson
After a quick cup of coffee with the SeaWolves to end the Eastern League season in 2024, the 2023 second-round pick out of Nebraska worked exclusively at second base for the Whitecaps in 2024 and is expected to do more of the same with the SeaWolves this season. Standing as one of the most consistent contact bats for the Whitecaps in 2024, resulting in 36 extra-base hits and 76 RBI, a full season of Eastern League pitching will be a healthy test for the 23-year-old.
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Chris Brown 
Joe Rampe