The Detroit Tigers’ system opened the 2026 season with several notable performances across all four full-season affiliates, with a mix of upper-level production from some older players in the system and a few new faces.
April’s group of standouts was headlined by Lakeland outfielder Jesus Pinto, who emerged as one of the system’s fastest risers.
Toledo (Triple-A)
Infielder Gage Workman anchored Toledo’s offense, hitting .324/.403/.735 with 7 home runs and 25 RBIs, good for a 1.138 OPS in April. Workman paired his power surge with improved plate discipline, running a walk rate north of 10 percent while keeping his strikeouts in check. The result was one of the most complete offensive months in the system, driven by consistent hard contact and the ability to punish mistakes.
Right-hander Ricky Vanasco delivered a strong month out of the bullpen, posting a 1.66 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across 13 innings, with 24 strikeouts against four walks. That translates to a 15.8 K/9 and a strikeout rate approaching 40 percent, showing clear swing-and-miss ability. His 3 saves reflect how often Toledo trusted him in leverage spots. He should be considered for a call-up.
Erie (Double-A)
Outfielder Brett Callahan turned in a well-rounded April, batting .263/.380/.455 with 2 home runs, 10 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. His .380 OBP was backed by a solid walk rate around 10 percent, while his ability to put the ball in play kept his strikeout rate manageable. He has adjusted to Double-A well.
Left-hander Carlos Peña anchored the rotation, going 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 24.1 innings. Peña struck out 29 while walking just four, good for a 7.3 K/BB ratio. His ability to limit free passes — a walk rate under 5 percent — allowed him to consistently work ahead and keep hitters off balance.
West Michigan (High-A)
Catcher/infielder Ricardo Hurtado stood out for his approach, hitting .250/.416/.400 with 2 home runs and 10 RBIs. His .416 OBP was driven by a walk rate pushing 20 percent, one of the highest marks in the system in April. Hurtado paired that with a controlled strikeout profile, giving him one of the more disciplined offensive lines at the level.
Right-hander Zack Lee provided stability to the Whitecaps bullpen, posting a 2.70 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 13.1 innings, with 17 strikeouts and four walks. His 11.5 K/9 and roughly 4:1 K/BB ratio highlights a pitcher capable of missing bats while limiting traffic.
Lakeland (Single-A)
Lakeland featured several of the system’s most impactful April performances, beginning with outfielder Zach MacDonald, who hit .263/.351/.735 with 7 home runs and 20 RBIs. His .735 slugging percentage and 1.086 OPS reflect how much damage he created on contact, as he consistently drove the ball with authority.
Left-hander Ben Jacobs was dominant in a limited sample, posting a 1.66 ERA with 21 strikeouts and just one walk over 11.2 innings. That translates to a 16.2 K/9 and an elite strikeout rate nearing 45 percent, backed by a near-flawless 0.77 BB/9. His ability to miss bats without issuing walks made him one of the most efficient arms in the system to start the season, which helped him already earn a promotion to West Michigan.
Fellow left-hander Grayson Grinsell matched that production, going 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA and 0.59 WHIP across 17 innings, with 21 strikeouts. Grinsell paired swing-and-miss ability with efficiency, posting a strikeout rate around 30–35 percent.
The Riser: Jesus Pinto
The most notable development of the month came from Pinto, who hit .257/.382/.455 with 1 home run and 9 RBIs.
The underlying profile stands out. Pinto ran a walk rate above 20 percent while keeping his strikeout rate under 20 percent, a rare combination for a 19-year-old at the level. That approach drove his .382 on-base percentage, showing a clear understanding of the strike zone.
As the month progressed, Pinto’s production trended upward, highlighted by a late-April stretch that included multiple extra-base hits and his first home run. His ability to control at-bats, combined with emerging power, points to a hitter trending in the right direction.
Jerry McKennan