We kicked off our Detroit Tigers Minor League Tools Series earlier this week on the best hitters in the system. You can digest our series in two different ways. One, you can check out the article done here by Chris or check out our YouTube channel that we were able to break down each hitter.
When it comes to game power in the system in 2024, Andrew Navigato was the only hitter who hit more than 20 home runs (21). However, there was a shift in where the power was coming from. Gone was Colt Keith, who finished with 27 homers in 2023. And Jace Jung, who led the organization with 28, was learning to play third base and spent the final month of the season with Detroit. Justyn-Henry Malloy, who also had a good power season in 2023, was shuttling back and forth on I-75.
The Tigers, as a team, finished 24th in baseball with 162 home runs. Oddly enough, in 2023, they also finished 24th but with 165. It falls in line with how teams faired in the system, minus Erie, who finished third in the Eastern League with 127 home runs, led by a few names on this list. But as an organization, they are doing damage when they hit for power, finishing 7th as an organization in barrel rate. But as I mentioned earlier the shift of new power is coming, and it is coming from the lower levels.
Detroit Tigers Top Power Tools
1-Thayron Liranzo
Liranzo was just outside of our Top 5 hitters in the system on the account of his average, prior to him joining the Tigers but you can make the case for him, easily. However, the power in this switch-hitting catcher is a different matter all together. He hit 24 home runs in 2023 in the Dodgers’ system with a swing that carries natural loft to all fields with his above-average bat speed. I gave him a “60” grade on his power because it’s not just loud, exit velocities, it is the distance based on his swing mechanics that just cause this power to naturally come out. Case in point.
Come for the massive power. Stay for the bat flip. 😤@tigers No. 6 prospect Thayron Liranzo CRUSHES a go-ahead homer 437 ft, 112 mph in the 9th inning of the Fall Stars Game: pic.twitter.com/ZRccSnOYaZ
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) November 10, 2024
His .247 ISO after he came over from West Michigan in 26 games stands out because of where the power was on display. When we saw him live against the Lansing Lugnuts, Liranzo went 415 feet on a three-run shot. Then he hit a double to almost in the same exact spot, off the center field wall, which is 403 feet at Jackson Field.
Thayron Liranzo with a monster 3-run bomb to dead center. The Whitecaps lead 3-0 just three batters into the game. pic.twitter.com/y3LPFdPL4V
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) August 14, 2024
Thayron Liranzo with a deep double off the wall in center field. pic.twitter.com/SHY6wVDRaf
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) August 14, 2024
If Liranzo can adjust to Double-A pitching quickly, he could be in line for a 20-25 home run season.
2-Josue Briceño
It seems rather fitting to have the “Jonrón Hermanos” (home run brothers) at one and two on this list. Briceño just turned 20 years old in September and just became the first player ever to win the Arizona Fall League Triple Crown. Not only does he have power, but Josue is also one of the better hitters in the system, having the ability to spray the ball to all fields.Â
Similar to Liranzo, his power draws from his ability to barrel up on the ball and hit with natural loft and loud contact, which has gotten louder, thanks to changes in his swing, which is drawing from the lower half of his body, on the suggestion from the Tigers coaching staff. The Midwest League will be a good challenge for Briceno, which is known to be more of a pitcher friendly league and hitting in colder weather to start the season.
Josue Briceño works a 9-pitch at-bat and then blasts his 10th Arizona Fall League homer. He’s just the 9th player to reach double-digits in homers in the AFL since 1999. And hey! @ThatDanHasty on the call! pic.twitter.com/UZ0ETR189C
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) November 13, 2024
3. Jose De La Cruz
De La Cruz’s trek through the Tigers minor league system has been interesting. He was one of the big international signings in 2018, signing for $1.8 million dollars, but hasnt been able to move up past Single-A Lakeland yet. The 6’1 right-handed hitting De La Cruz doesn’t hit for high average, and he strikes out around a 30% clip. However, when he gets a hold of one, they are just absolutely hammered. He led the Flying Tigers in home runs with 16 this season.
4. Jace Jung
In his two full seasons in the Tigers minor league system, Jung has hit 14 home runs in each of his three stops and is one of four minor-leaguers with 40+ home runs and a walk rate over 14% over the last two seasons. If he can adjust to hitting high velocity at the big league level, he will be able to find a spot on the Tigers roster in 2025.
5. Gage Workman
Workman had an impressive season in Erie last year, leading the team with 18 home runs, batting .280/.377/.476 all while hitting left-handed the entire season after being a switch hitter through his time in baseball. He also hit 29 doubles, which led the Eastern League, and he cut his strikeout rate below 30% for the first time since he was at Lakeland back in 2021.
This is a big reason why Workman, who turned 25 in October, can stick around. His defense is already solid but if he can continue to show he can hit for power and average, he could get some consideration at the next level.
A Piñata walk-off swing … bring on the candy 🍬🍭
Gage Workman sends the @erie_seawolves fans home happy with a sweet homer. pic.twitter.com/ersXJv0Uvg
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 31, 2024
Honorable Mentions
Roberto Campos, Dillon Dingler, Hao-Yu Lee, Chris Meyers, Andrew Navigato, Trey Sweeney.
While Campos’s home run numbers at West Michigan do not exactly scream power, (10) keep in mind two important numbers. The first one is that his line drive rate jumped up from 18.1% in 2023 to 29.3% in 2024, and his ground ball rate dropped from 47.5% to 37.2%, an indication he is trying to lift the ball more into the air and tap into his power more.
Meyers finished tied with Workman for most home runs in Erie. Lee has an outside chance of hitting 20 home runs a season at the next level when his ability to hunt for a good pitch and take it deep pays off. Navigato, who hit 18 in 2022, came back after grade four shoulder separation to hit 21 in Toledo.
Future Projection
Nestor Miranda and Javier Osorio are two of Detroit’s bigger international signings over the past few seasons. The 18-year-old Miranda struggled to make contact in his pro debut in 2024, but he’s already 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, with plenty of raw power in the tank. Osorio had similar struggles in his first two seasons in the DSL. But he posted a .199 ISO there this year, and has the chance to grow into above-average power.
Bryce Rainer has impressive raw power to all fields. He can backspin the ball out to the opposite field, and if he may produce plus game power if he pulls the ball in the air more often. Carson Rucker has played just 13 pro games since the Tigers drafted in in the 4th round in 2023. And he earned that lofty draft spot because of a frame and swing that projects to above-average power.
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Jerry McKennan 
Chris Brown