Over the last two decades, the Detroit Tigers have occasionally dipped into the independent leagues in search of pitching talent. But since the hiring of Scott Harris as President of Baseball Operations and Ryan Garko as VP of Player Development in late 2022, there’s been a clear shift. The Tigers are actively mining these leagues for overlooked arms, embracing nontraditional talent pipelines.
Injuries happen. Throughout the system, from Casey Mize to Yosber Sanchez down in Erie, the Tigers have seen several arms go down already with stints on the 60-day IL. Here is the list including the pitchers in the minor league system.
40-man roster injuries:
Casey Mize (RHP): Placed on the 15-day IL on May 9 with a left hamstring strain. Expected to return on Saturday
Reese Olson (RHP): Placed on the 15-day IL on May 18 due to right ring finger inflammation.
Alex Lange (RHP): On the 60-day IL since February 12, recovering from lat surgery.
Sawyer Gipson-Long (RHP): On the 60-day IL since March 8, recovering from right elbow and left hip surgeries. Currently doing rehab starts at West Michigan.
José Urquidy (RHP): On the 60-day IL since March 8, recovering from Tommy John surgery. Expected return in 2026.
Ty Madden (RHP): On the 60-day IL with a shoulder strain.
Jason Foley (RHP): Out for the year
Minor League Injuries:
Yosber Sanchez (RHP): Placed on the 7-day IL
Wilmer Flores (RHP): 60-day IL, started the year on the IL.
Tanner Kohlhepp (RHP): 60-day IL
Tyler Mattison (RHP):
Freddy Pacheco (RHP): On the rehab trail, currently at West Michigan.
Preston Howey (RHP): Placed on the 7-day injured list on May 16.
Owen Hall (RHP): Placed on the 7-day injured list on May 9.
Paul Wilson (LHP): Placed on the full-season injured list on May 5.
Social media has become a powerful scouting tool in modern baseball. Short videos showcasing velocity, pitch movement, or unique mechanics can quickly draw attention from scouts and front offices, especially when shared by respected trainers or places that are known for development like Driveline.
A great example is Kenny Serwa, whose high-speed knuckleball went viral in early 2025, sparking buzz online and ultimately helping lead to his signing by the Tigers. For players outside traditional pipelines, a well-timed bullpen video can be a ticket back into affiliated ball.
So let’s look back at the past quickly as we break down every indie league pitcher Detroit has signed since 2000, comparing the current regime’s strategy to past practices under Dave Dombrowski and Al Avila.
Jon Link (RHP)
Signed: June 19, 2013
From: Wichita Wingnuts (American Association, the team GM at the time? Former LHP, Tigers pitcher Nate Robertson)
Assigned to: Double-A Eri
Caleb Thielbar (LHP)
Signed: Jan 23, 2018
From: St. Paul Saints (American Association)
Assigned to: Triple-A Toledo
Phillippe Aumont (RHP)
Signed: Jan 9, 2018
From: Ottawa Champions (Can-Am League)
Spring Invite
Fun fact: tossed a no-hitter in 2017 for Ottawa
Liarvis Breto (LHP)
Signed: Jan 8, 2018
From: Rockland Boulders (Can-Am League)
Assignment: Rookie-level/Extended ST
Tim Adleman (RHP)
Signed: May 11, 2019
From: Long Island Ducks (Atlantic League)
Assigned to: Triple-A Toledo
Link (26th round), Thielbar (18th round), Adleman (24th round), and Aumont (1st round) were all originally drafted but eventually found themselves out of affiliated ball and pitching in independent leagues. Liarvis Breto, who signed internationally, also ended up on the indie circuit. Each represents a previous example of the Tigers taking a second look at former prospects who resurfaced through nontraditional paths.
With the MLB Draft now shortened to 20 rounds and permanently moved to July, more players than ever are slipping through the cracks. Unlike past years with 40-round drafts and earlier timelines, today’s undrafted players face a longer wait and fewer opportunities.
This shift has opened the door for independent league, and by extension, teams like the Tigers, to become landing spots for late bloomers and overlooked arms. It’s a structural change that continues to reshape how talent enters affiliated baseball. Even Patrick Lee, who is an outfielder, was an indie signing and was also a pitcher at one point, something we learned when spoke to him.
Tigers Signings Under Harris & Garko (2022–Present)
Richard Guasch (RHP)
Signed: May 21, 2025
From: Rieleros de Aguascalientes (Mexican League)
Assigned to: Double-A Erie
Thomas Bruss (RHP) (non-drafted, first professional spot)
Signed: March 4, 2024
From: Missoula PaddleHeads (Pioneer League) via Ottawa Titans
Current level: Lakeland Flying Tigers
Matt Seelinger (RHP)
Signed: June 25, 2024
From: Long Island Ducks (Atlantic League)
Current level: Toledo Mud Hens
Kenny Serwa (RHP) (non-drafted, first professional spot)
Signed: Jan 19, 2025
From: Chicago Dogs (American Association)
Current level: West Michigan Whitecaps
Logan Berrier (RHP) (non-drafted, first professional spot)
Signed: May 15, 2025
From: Lake Country DockHounds
Current Level: FCL Tigers
Dariel Fregio (RHP)
Signed: May 22, 2025
From: Washington Wild Things (Frontier League)
Current Level: FCL Tigers
Signed: May 2024
Still have to prove it but…
Detroit’s pivot under Harris and Garko suggests a strategy not just of necessity, but of foresight. With the right development, pitchers like Richard Guasch and Matt Seelinger could be tomorrow’s bullpen arms, be it coming up for a cup of coffee or sticking around.
The Tigers may not have reinvented scouting, but they’re clearly widening the funnel. While none of these independent league arms have reached the majors, yet, the infrastructure in place under pitching coach Chris Fetter and the broader player development team gives them a better shot than in years past.
The Tigers’ willingness to trust their scouts, embrace data, and take calculated risks on overlooked talent marks a philosophical shift worth noting. Not every arm will make it to Comerica Park, but the mere fact that Detroit is actively giving them a shot reflects a more modern, open-minded approach to roster building.
Follow me on “X”@rogcastbaseball
Hey Detroit Tigers fans! If you enjoy Tigers Minor League Report and want to help us keep bringing you the latest updates and in-depth analysis, consider contributing to our efforts. We operate entirely on a volunteer basis, and every bit of support goes a long way. You can donate to us directly via our GoFundMe or become a valued member by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Or take your fandom to the next level by joining our Patreon community. Additionally, you can shop for some awesome gear at our TMLR store. Your support helps us continue our mission to provide you with quality content on all things Tigers Minor League. Thank you!
Chris Brown 
Joe Rampe 
Emily Waldon