Just like that, we blinked and we’re two months into the Midwest League regular season. At this point in the year, most teams have provided a pretty clear picture of how the first half of the season will play out for them. For the West Michigan Whitecaps, that picture is crystal clear.
In first place with an eight-game lead over the Midwest League East, the ‘Caps have taken their last eight games, including a six-game sweep of the Dayton Dragons. With the All-Star break not far around the corner, we’re sitting down to talk player promotion, player profiles, and who has been a surprise so far in the first half of the season.
Besides Max Clark, who might be promoted before Memorial Day ?
— Mike DeShetler (@spartymiked) May 6, 2025
With the Tigers’ intention not to rush players, this list could vary. Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle are definitely at the top, but for Clark, the Tigers are still tracking his development closely. While Clark’s instinct is incredibly advanced for his age, certain lessons are only learned with time. At his age, pushing him prematurely doesn’t do anyone any favors. McGonigle is going to come down to a matter of durability. His offensive numbers are clear, but you can’t blame Detroit for playing it safe to make sure he’s in the healthiest form possible. A few other names in conversation for eventual movement are Kenny Serwa, Izaac Pacheco, and Seth Stephenson. Serwa’s progression has reached a point where a move to facing more advanced hitting would benefit him. For Stephenson and Pacheco, it will come down to offensive consistency. Both have made huge strides forward this season offensively, and both stand to be stretched against a higher level of competition.
Who has surprised you the most so far, and why?
— Matt (@MattMseward) May 6, 2025
Izaac Pacheco. Originally a second-round pick in 2021, a lot of people questioned the selection over the last few years, forgetting he was selected out of high school. Higher draft slots always mean that many more eyes are on you and the most impressive thing to me about Pacheco was his intentionality during the offseason. In addition to a complete overhaul of his eating, Pacheco has invested time and energy, pregame work and research to help him tap into the offensive profile he knew was in there. Still just 22 years old, Pacheco’s resurgence is coming at a very good time. Following up on his historic walk off grand slam for West Michigan, Pacheco has set himself up for serious promotion consideration if the contact rate can match the pace of what the Tigers’ front office is hoping to see.
Does McGonigle project as a MLB SS or another position defensively
— P.M. Richard (@art4petessake) May 6, 2025
In speaking with a number of scouts about this, the general consensus points towards second base. A bat-first profile, McGonigle grades out as projected Major-League average defensively. One of the things that has impressed several scouts is McGonigle’s baseball IQ. He will be the first to pinpoint an area he needs to improve on and has the IQ to understand what he needs for success. While his footwork and reads off the bat have been good, his arm and general defensive profile appear to be the best fit for second base.
Do you think Rainer will be with whitecaps later this summer if so only if mcgonigle gets moved to Erie? How similar are they
— Steven Villalta (@spartansteve99) June 1, 2025
I can definitely see Rainer joining West Michigan before the end of the season. The Tigers followed the post all-star break route with both Clark and McGonigle and with Rainer’s skill set being equally advanced, it would make sense to me. As far as similar profiles, there are some similarities, yes. They grade out about the same in overall projection and speed, with Rainer having a noticeably higher grade in arm strength and power. One scout shared last week that McGonigle’s hit tool is one of the finest he’s seen at this level. With about a five-inch height difference and McGonigle’s frame being much more solid and compact, there are similar tools and IQ, but physically speaking, they’re just going to move differently.
Which player is getting the call up soon? Love what I’m seeing from some of these guys.
— realmoonlight79 (@cftmoonlight) May 31, 2025
Based on my conversations with organization contacts, I expect a bit of movement around the all-star break, if not a bit sooner. Among the more advanced players, the Tigers have want to make sure health is full in tact and development is progressing the way they are hoping it will. At the mid-season point, players usually give a pretty good idea on the chances of them finding success at a higher level and I think the Tigers will make multiple moves around the system as a whole, once we reach that point.
Do you think Rainier joins Clark and all of them?
— Tigers Fan (@_Gang_Greene_) May 31, 2025
With the movement timeline shaping up the way it is, I think Clark and McGonigle will likely move before Rainer’s arrival. I think they catch up to each other likely next season, once Rainer has had more exposure to the Midwest League and gets his feet a little more settled as a professional player. Will Rainer see West Michigan this season? I think he will, but not likely at the same time as Clark and McGonigle.
I know he’s struggled this year, but what are your thoughts on Rayner Castillo? He’s still only 20 and at High A and put up really good numbers at Lakeland
— CollegeFootballFan (@big10fbfan) May 31, 2025
Rayner is a raw profile, but there is a lot there to dream on. Players will tell you that a lot of testing goes on in the Midwest League and you can really learn what you’re capable of as a prospect, although it may not be very fun at times. Working with West Michigan pitching coach Nick Green, Castillo has had high points and low points, but enough there to see what he could shape into. Already at 6’3 and 180 pounds, there is some physical projection there, which means, we could also see an uptick in velocity.
Outside of the usual suspects (Clark, KM, Josue) who are some guys at WM we should have our eye on for the future?
— keith (@_drkingsdream) May 31, 2025
Micah Ashman, the Tigers’ 11th-round pick in 2024 is having himself quite the time in the first half with West Michigan. Standing at 6’7, the 22-year-old lefty boasts a natural downhill attack against opposing hitters. Over 24 innings of relief this season, Ashman has only allowed a pair of earned runs resulting in a 0.75 ERA, 28 strikeouts and an 0.67 WHIP.
I’ve mentioned Seth Stephenson for a while, but the reason for this is the versatility he brings. Where some players tend to more limited in how much they can offer, Stephenson, in addition to his organizational-best speed has been re-working his swing and already seeing the results of it. Scouts have really liked his progression this season and said, “He could end up surprising a lot of people.”
Andrew Sears, a 22-year-old lefty selected in the 10th round of the 2023 draft is in his first year with the Whitecaps and settling in nicely. After a bit of a rocky start in April with 11 earned runs allowed over 14 innings, Sears has shaved this back to just four earned runs allowed over 24 innings in May. Sears intensity and style of attack against opposing hitters make him a very interesting development story with the organization. We should see some fun stuff from him this summer.
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Joe Rampe