Detroit Tigers 2025 MLB Draft Preview: Pitchers

Welcome to our countdown towards the MLB Draft, which will be held on Sunday, July 13. The Detroit Tigers will be drafting on the first day at picks number 24, 34 and 62.

We are going to have our draft show starting at 6pm as we will be breaking down the entire first half of each affiliate, including the Detroit Tigers with an in-depth breakdown of each club.  If you haven’t already, check out our recent MLB Draft articles:

Jerry’s Juco Jewels:

MLB Draft 2025 Preview: 5 Infielder Fits

Detroit Tigers MLB Draft Rewind:

From Tools to Tigers: Scouting Detroit’s 2025 MLB Draft Class

Now, onto pitching. The Tigers have over the last few seasons have become a pitching development machine. Troy Melton, who is knocking at the big league door at Toledo, Keider Montero, and Brant Hurter, have been among several pitchers who have been getting better as they move along in the system. The next crop is currently sitting in West Michigan and Lakeland, with arms like Andrew Sears and Hayden Minton.

But over the last few drafts, the Tigers have had a recent string of injuries to their pitchers. Paul Wilson, Owen Hall, and Ethan Schiefelbein, all high school arms, all are currently out. While the Tigers are not going to draft for need, they may take a focus on pitching and what they can do with the upside of the arms in this draft.

Without further ado, let’s start with an SEC arm and doing this list differently, doing strengths and concerns and how they could fit potentially in the Tigers plan.

RHP Gage Wood| University of Arkansas

Pros:

1. Elite Fastball

• Ranges 94–96 mph, touching 98–99, that can throw strikes on both sides of the plate
• Generates a massive 43% whiff rate, well above college average

2. Controls the strike zone

• Strong strikeout-to-walk ratio: approx 41% K-rate, walk rate 5.7%

Cons:

1. Durability  & Workload

• Missed 2 months in 2025 with a shoulder impingement, plus past shoulder issues
• He has only 109 career college innings

2. Secondary Pitches

• Needs to develop a third pitch to go with his fastball and curve as his slider and change up could use some more work.

Tigers Fit?

• Rotation depth need: Detroit could target a power-armed college arm with upside.

• Risk vs. reward: Wood’s elite fastball and big-game composure make him an exciting candidate, but health and secondary offerings raise caution flags.

• Draft range: Currently projected late first to early second round. 

• Organizational bounce: Tigers have rehabilitated arms before; Wood could be a high-reward developmental project.

You may be familiar with the Arkansas native who threw just the third no-hitter in CWS history against Murray State, striking out 19. The Tigers haven’t selected a pitcher in the first round since taking Jackson Jobe and Ty Madden in 2021. With high-upside high school players like Kayson Cunningham or Marek Houston potentially available, the Tigers may choose to continue prioritizing prep talent.

Kruz Schoolcraft – LHP, Sunset HS (OR)

Strengths:

• 6’8” frame with mid-90s fastball (up to 97) and strong slider/changeup mix.

• Command profile is advanced; career prep ERA below 0.50.

• Legitimate two-way potential with plus raw power as a hitter

Concerns:

• Limited experience against elite competition.

• Needs strength and pitch refinement to handle pro workload.

Fit for Tigers:
An upside lefty with rare physical traits, ideal if Detroit wants to develop a long-term rotation piece with two-way versatility.

Jack Bauer – LHP, Lincoln-Way East (IL)

Strengths:

• First high school lefty to reach 102 mph; fastball sits 97–101 mph with life

• Sharp slider (81–84 mph) with strong spin rates (2900 rpm).

Concerns:

• Walk rate issues; command lags velocity gains.

• Injury and durability remain concerns with limited innings.

Fit for Tigers:
Boom-or-bust pick with elite velocity upside if the org believes their pitching development can refine command and workload. The Tigers lately have been attracted to guys who can spin it.

Cody Bowker – RHP, Vanderbilt University

Strengths:

• Transfer from Georgetown, reached mid-90s fastball with extension.

• Sweeper slider (~78 mph with 16″ glove-side movement); high-upside changeup.

• Projects as a mid-day draft pick with four-pitch potential. 

Concerns:

• Whiff rates strong, but strike-zone shape needs polish.

• Mid-tier velocity; command consistency 

Fit for Tigers:
A college arm with starter upside, polished delivery, and projectability, ideal for Detroit’s depth and bullpen plans.

Landon Harmon – RHP, East Union HS (MS)

Strengths:

• Fastball up to 98 mph with above-average spin and a sweeping slider (justbaseball.com).

• Command profile strong for a prep pitcher.

Concerns:

• Needs to refine secondary pitches.

• Physical projection still developing.

Fit for Tigers:
High-upside prep righty for Detroit to mold in their pipeline with potential mid-rotation or backend starter ceiling.

Johnny Slawinski – LHP, Johnson City HS (TX)

Strengths:

• Fastball 90–93 mph, three-pitch mix with slider and changeup.

• Strong command with elite high school strikeout outings.

Concerns:

• Velocity ceiling below top-tier prep arms.

• Needs physical strength development.

Fit for Tigers:
Polished prep lefty with mid-rotation upside if his velocity ticks up in pro development. The Tigers have seem to overlook guys without velocity as long as they can throw strikes.

Tanner Franklin – RHP, Tennessee

Strengths:

• Fastball 94–98 mph with elite swing-and-miss potential (mlb.com).

• Strong Cape Cod League showing and large, athletic frame (6’5”).

Concerns:

• Primarily used as a reliever; starter projection remains speculative.

• Command inconsistencies.

Fit for Tigers:
Power bullpen or swingman profile with upside to convert to starter under Detroit’s development model.

Reid Worley – RHP, Cherokee HS (GA)

Strengths:

• Fastball 90–93 mph; unique slider/knuckle-curve hybrid at 82–83 mph with 3,000+ rpm spin (Jack Flaherty throws this on a regular)

• Strong deception and athletic build (6’2”, 180 lb).

Concerns:

• Lack of third pitch.

• Needs physical strength to handle pro innings.

Fit for Tigers:
Developmental candidate with elite breaking ball spin, ideal for mid-round drafting to refine as a starter or leverage reliever.

Marcos Paz – RHP, Hebron HS (TX)

Strengths:

• Fastball up to 97 mph pre-Tommy John surgery; power slider and changeup with strong spin

• Mature mound presence; LSU commit.

Concerns:

• Recent UCL surgery recovery.

• Limited post-injury competitive innings.

Fit for Tigers:
A mid-round high-upside pick if Detroit trusts his recovery to yield a future rotation or bullpen asset.

Cade Obermueller – LHP, Iowa

Strengths:

• Fastball up to 98 mph from deceptive low-slot; slider with 3,000+ rpm

• Strong strike-throwing gains in 2025.

Concerns:

• Compact frame (6’0”) and third pitch depth question starter durability.

Fit for Tigers:
Mid-round polished lefty for bullpen or swing role with starter ceiling if changeup develops.

Luke LaCourse – RHP, Bay City Western HS (MI)

Strengths:

• 6’3”, 220 lb frame with fastball up to 94 mph and strong spin traits

• Mr. Baseball winner with outstanding prep command and poise.

Concerns:

• Needs secondary pitch refinement.

• Limited exposure to elite national competition.

Fit for Tigers:
Local high-upside arm with foundational tools, ideal for Detroit’s development approach. The Tigers havent drafted a local pitcher since Jared Tobey (St.Clair, Wayne State University) in 2018.

Blake Gillespie – RHP, Charlotte

Strengths:

• 3.00 ERA with 58 K in ~44 IP; nine-inning no-hitter hitter, command and strikeout stuff

• Solid build (6’2”, 205 lb) with a mid-90s fastball and advanced pitch mix.

Concerns:

• Velocity not elite; durability in pro starter role to be proven.

Fit for Tigers:
Stable college-ready starter or reliever depth piece in Rounds 3–5.

Marcelo Harsch – RHP, Seton Hall Prep (NJ)

Strengths:

• Fastball 90–94 mph with sink; slider (84 mph) and changeup (86 mph) in three-pitch mix.

• Strong pitchability with projectable 6’4” frame.

Concerns:

• Needs physical strength and national competition exposure.

Fit for Tigers:
High-upside prep pitcher for long-term development. Same school that former Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello once pitched at.

Myles Patton – LHP, Texas A&M

Strengths:

• Fastball up to 93 mph with carry; slider ~82 mph with strong whiff rates

• Commanding mound presence and pitchability.

Concerns:

• Sub-90 average FB; third pitch development needed; back injury in 2024.

Fit for Tigers:
Mid-round lefty with starter or bullpen ceiling depending on velocity growth.

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