Detroit Tigers 2025 Top Prospects: 25-21

Detroit Tigers Top Prospects for 2025

Welcome to Tigers Minor League Report’s top 40 prospects in the Detroit Tigers system. This is our fourth article breaking down the top 40 list, five players at a time. You can find the others here: 40-36, 35-31, and 30-26. 

A reminder that Chris, Jerry, and Rogelio each made individual lists of 50+ players, then averaged the lists to get final rankings. And this year we’re doing player capsules, which are part biographical, part recap, and part scouting report.

25 – Wilmer Flores – RHP

Votes: Chris (34), Jerry (24), Rogelio (22)

It was not too long ago that Wilmer Flores was a top 10 prospect on our list but injuries and perhaps the ability to develop that third pitch, the changeup, has moved him down but not necessary out. Flores could still start, but I think it would probably benefit the Tigers to have him as a reliever, airing it out with the sweeper slider that is still one of the better ones in the system.

Flores could move up to Detroit in 2025 if he can get back to working quicker counts, something he was struggling with the last two seasons, throwing a lot of pitches early in the game.

24 – Garrett Burhenn – RHP

Votes: Chris (32), Jerry (NA), Rogelio (21)

Burhenn quietly had a strong 2024 season, leading all Tigers minor league pitchers in innings pitched (122.1) and finishing second in strikeouts with 123 between West Michigan and Erie. His command of his slider was inconsistent at times last season but when it was on, it was effective on both sides of the plate.

The one issue that he needs to work on, like Ty Madden in Erie in 2023, is getting out lefties, which hit .304 against him, slugging nearly at a .500 clip (.490). Righties, no problem, batting just .198 against him. Burhenn will continue to grow as he continues to gain velocity and don’t be too surprise if he could make it to Detroit by 2026.

23 – Jake Miller – LHP

Votes: Chris (25), Jerry (NA), Rogelio (27)

Miller was the lone pitcher who moved up three levels last season, which punch him a ticket to the Arizona Fall League. He struck out 104 in 87.1 innings of work, (10.72 K per 9) with an ERA of 1.85. Miller has good deception with his mid 3/4 arm angle and a sweeper slider to go with a fastball that is around 91-94 slider 81-84 and a change in the mid-80s.

Even after one bad start in Arizona, Miller put together one of the best performances in the fall league, fanning 8 in four innings of work. Miller should continue to move up this season because of how well he controls the strike zone.

22 – Lael Lockhart – LHP

Votes: Chris (37), Jerry (16), Rogelio (25)

Lockhart Jr lead the organization in strikeouts with 145 between Erie and Toledo last season. He appeared to being considered for a call-up to Detroit but struggled with putting together consistent starts at Toledo, posting a FIP of 5.36.

The biggest issue seem to at Triple-A was getting swinging strikes, which his rate was only 11.5% and combined that with his called strikes, he was sporting around 29.6%. Lockhart will need to keep the walks down to get consideration in Detroit in 2025.

21 – Andrew Navigato – INF

Votes: Chris (NA), Jerry (21), Rogelio (28)

Every week, we got asked when Andrew Navigato was going to get a call-up to Detroit. He was hitting all season, finishing the season with 21 home runs and 82 RBIs, with a wRC of 124. He walked at a 10% clip. Seem like he hit all the checkmarks for a position, shortstop, that Detroit needed help with so bad.

Then Trey Sweeney was acquired from the Dodgers, got called up, made some great plays with his glove, and it hit Tiger fans on why perhaps why Navigato did not get a call-up to Detroit. His glove is solid, but the perception in the organization do not believe it’s adequate for the next level. For now, he has the label of a 4-A player.