Detroit Tigers Top 50 Prospects for 2026: 19-11

Top 50 Detroit Tigers Prospects

Welcome to our breakdown of the Top 50 Detroit Tigers prospects heading into the 2026 season. Today we move into the top 20, with prospects 19-11. Also be sure to check out our breakdowns of 50-41, 40-31, and 30-20.

A reminder of our ranking methodology. Rogelio, Joe, Jerry, Colin, and Chris all made independent lists of their top prospects in the Detroit Tigers system. We then average the individual rankings to come up with our collective rankings. Let’s get to the list:

19 – Jackson Strong, OF

Jackson Strong had a nice first full year in pro ball, posting a 130 wRC+ with 9 home runs and 20 stolen bases between Low-A and High-A. He still needs a few coats of polish, but has solid tools across the board. He’s a patient hitter, almost to a fault, drawing walks at a 12.6% rate but also striking out at a 29% clip despite having a manageable 12.4% whiff rate. He has below average raw power, but he gets the most out of what he has thanks to a swing that produces gap line drives and fly balls to the pull field. He’s a plus runner and can capably play all three outfield spots. Strong lacks a carrying tool, so he probably tops out as a 4th outfielder, but he could possibly find a role on the strong side (no pun intended) of a platoon.

Jackson Strong turns on this pitch for a solo home run to right. It’s his 1st homer with the Whitecaps, and his 6th overall this year. @wangler_nathan on the call. pic.twitter.com/wQgDfX3tAi

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) August 19, 2025

18 – Jaden Hamm, RHP

Hamm was a revelation in 2024 thanks to an unusual delivery, a strong fastball/curveball mix, and a lot of strikes. He used that combo to post a 2.64 ERA over 99 innings, and earn some top-100 prospect consideration. His delivery stayed the same as he climbed to Double-A in 2025, but everything else went backward. Hamm still threw a decent amount of strikes, but his fastball dropped from the low-90s to the high-80s at times. And hitters made him pay, to the tune of a 4.70 ERA over 88 frames. He’ll have a chance to reestablish himself in Double-A in 2026, but right now it looks more likely that his future is in the bullpen.

17 – Eduardo Valencia, 1B/C

Eduardo Valencia seemingly came from nowhere in 2025 to put up some of the most impressive offensive numbers in the system and earn himself a slot on the Tigers 40-man roster. Largely a backup catcher for most of his pro career, Valencia transformed his body and his swing prior to the season. And as a result he hit .311 with 24 home runs, doubling his previous career total. He’s not a strong defender behind the plate or at first base, and he could stand to hit the ball in the air more often. But Valencia has the chance to be an impactful right-handed hitter at the MLB level.

Unbelievable! Eduardo Valencia goes deep AGAIN. It’s his 3rd home run and 7th and 8th RBI of the game. pic.twitter.com/ymw1iOuVwX

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) September 5, 2025

16 – Lucas Elissalt, RHP

Elissalt does nearly everything you want to see from a starting pitching prospect. He has a clean delivery that he repeats well, he locates his fastball, and he owns a trio of solid secondary offerings that all miss bats. He just needs to throw the ball a little harder. His fastball averaged around 91 MPH in 2025, and without a few more ticks of velo he’s going to struggle against advanced hitters. If he does find that extra gas he has all the makings of a solid back-end starter.

15 – Malachi Witherspoon, RHP

Witherspoon probably owns the best pure arm talent in the Tigers system. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and touches triple digits, and he has a pair of breaking balls that show above-average potential. But he struggled to throw strikes and get outs as an amateur, and the Tigers have a lot of things to refine. If they can, he has mid-rotation potential, with a fallback option as a legitimate late-inning reliever.

 14 – Max Anderson, 2B/3B

Max Anderson had a terrific 2025 season, hitting his way to Triple-A, and producing MVP-level numbers in the Arizona Fall League. But his prospect profile remains troublesome. Anderson can hit, and he has plus raw power, but his aggressive approach keeps him from adding much value with walks, and his unorthodox, front-foot swing doesn’t take full advantage of his raw strength. He did add third base to his defensive repertoire, but he’s a below-average defender in the infield, and he lacks the foot speed to be a viable outfielder. His bat will get him to the big leagues, but it’s hard to see him sticking there without some fairly drastic changes.

Max Anderson hits the first home run for @erie_seawolves with a solo shot to right. His first career Double-A home run pic.twitter.com/2TJIejzW5W

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 5, 2025

13 – Jake Miller, LHP

Miller had something of a lost season in 2025, pitching just 20 innings while dealing with back and hip injuries. When he did pitch he looked a lot like he did in 2024, which is to say he filled up the strike zone and missed bats. Miller’s low-90s fastball plays up because of deception and ride, and he can run it up to 96 MPH in shorter stints. He also throws a sweeper, a slider, and a changeup, and they all show at least average potential. The Tigers added him to their 40-man roster, and he could help out in Detroit at some point in 2026, as either a starter or a reliever.

Here’s Jake Miller’s full outing from the 2025 Spring Breakout game. pic.twitter.com/DFaokk5l1z

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) March 17, 2025

12 – Michael Oliveto, C

Oliveto is a bit of an enigma. His profile — a high school catcher from a northern state — is arguably the riskiest demographic in the MLB draft. But the Tigers have scouted the hit tool well, and Oliveto’s swing is undeniably pretty. It’s a clean, quick cut with natural loft. He already flashes above-average power, and the size to grow into at least plus pop. But he’s likely going to be a slow burn as he picks up the finer points of pro catching.

How did Hauppauge’s Michael Oliveto impress the #Tigers to become the 34th pick in the MLB Draft? Check out these cuts from his workout at Comerica Park in early June! The guy watching in the bottom right is Tigers legend Alan Trammell. @HAUPbaseball @HPSAthletics @News12LI pic.twitter.com/L6Jvyt9JcM

— Kevin Maher (@KMaherNews12) July 14, 2025

11 – Cris Rodriguez, OF

Cris Rodriguez is probably the biggest boom or bust prospect in the entire system. He shows plus bat speed and he’s remarkably strong for such a young player, with legitimate 70-grade raw power already. He took that power onto the field, blasting 10 home runs and 12 doubles in 50 games. He’s also a solid runner who might be able to stick in center field. But Rodriguez is dangerously aggressive at the plate, swinging at nearly everything, and struggling to make contact against anything with a wrinkle in it. If he refines his approach he has star potential. If he doesn’t, he may never make it out of A Ball.

Cris Rodriguez officially has our attention. This time he takes a 99 MPH fastball from Kevin Defrank and blasts it over the left field wall at 109 MPH. It’s his 2nd home run, and 7th extra-base hit, in his first 6 pro games. pic.twitter.com/NfZu9u9w8u

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) June 9, 2025