The draft is almost here, so it’s time to play armchair quarterback (catcher?) and discuss some potential targets for the Detroit Tigers.
“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” – Mark Twain
When President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris arrived in Detroit back in September 2022, it was in many ways a breath of fresh air for Detroit Tigers fans.
The Tigers were seemingly stuck in a rut from 2017-2021, and after another poor season in 2022, dreams of a bright future were feeling more faint. But with the hiring of Harris, who had worked under and learned from respected GMs Theo Epstein and Farhan Zaidi previously, fans finally had some hope that the Tigers organization could catch up to other more forward-thinking teams and get the organization back on track.
Fast forward three years, and the Tigers have done just that.
Detroit has improved in many ways over the past three years under Scott Harris, and one major area has been in the draft. While no players from the 2023-2024 draft classes have reached the big leagues quite yet, several of them are showing promise in the minor leagues, including (deep breath) Max Clark, Kevin McGonigle, Max Anderson, Jaden Hamm, John Peck, Jatnk Diaz, Hayden Minton, Andrew Sears, Brett Callahan, Bryce Rainer, Josh Randall, Jack Penney, Woody Hadeen, Jackson Strong, Ethan Sloan, R.J. Sales, Micah Ashman, Jude Warwick, Lucas Elissalt, Preston Howey, Gabriel Rosado, Zach MacDonald and Bryce Alewine, just to name a few (handfuls). (And that’s not including highly touted pitchers Paul Wilson, Owen Hall, Ethan Schiefelbein, Michael Massey and Zach Swanson, who’ve all dealt with injuries this year.)
When Harris came aboard in 2022, he inherited manager A.J. Hinch and player development head honcho Ryan Garko, who helped lay the groundwork for how the Tigers operate. But he also hired Mark Conner and Rob Metzler, who have done great work in scouting and in the draft.
Conner (San Diego Padres) and Metzler (Tampa Bay Rays) came from organizations that not only had solid reputations draft-wise, but also were unafraid to use high selections on high school talent. And in the past two years, they’ve stayed true to that philosophy.
The Tigers have had seven top 100 picks in the last two drafts combined, and have selected high schoolers with six of them. Additionally, Detroit used four of its first five 2023 picks on high school players, and used their first three picks on high schoolers in 2024.
So, if history does rhyme, expect Detroit to again target high school talent in the early rounds of the 2025 MLB Draft.
This year, the Tigers have three top 75 picks: #24, #34 and #62.
With so many options to choose from, it’s hard to know not only who will be available when the Tigers pick, but also who they will target. But it’s time to play armchair quarterback, and discuss who the Tigers could go after with their first few picks.
Round One Targets
Kayson Cunningham, MIF, Johnson HS (TX)
Both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline have mocked Cunningham to the Tigers recently, and at pick #24, he’d be something like a best case scenario for Detroit. Armed with a silky smooth left handed swing, Cunningham’s hit tool is believed to be among the best in the 2025 class at the high school level. He can also play up the middle and has a strong arm and good speed, and his draft profile reads similar to Kevin McGonigle’s at that stage. It’s a good bet that Cunningham may be off the board by pick #24, but if not, the Tigers could pounce. Along with Baseball America and MLB Pipeline, ESPN has also connected Cunningham to the Tigers recently.
Daniel Pierce, MIF, Mill Creek HS (GA)
Another middle infielder with a strong hit tool, approach at the plate and all-around game, the righty swinging Pierce would be another excellent get for Detroit at #24. He’s generally considered a top 15 prospect however, and chances are he’ll be gone by the time Detroit is on the clock; although he was mocked to the Tigers by ESPN on Friday.
Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak HS (CA)
Fien is yet another well-rounded high school hitter, but differs from Cunningham and Pierce both in size (6’3”, while Cunningham and Pierce are 6’ or below) and position. With perhaps a little more power currently than those two (but maybe a slightly less regarded hit tool), it appears that the right handed hitting Fien will go in the first round as well, as he also has a big arm and should be a solid defender at third. The past two years the Tigers have shown that they like their selections at the very top of the draft to play up the middle, making Gavin perhaps a less likely fit for Detroit at #24; but still a good choice if available.
Josh Hammond, SS/3B, Wesleyan Christian HS (NC)
While he’s a few inches shorter, Hammond’s scouting report reads a lot like Gavin Fien’s. Like Fien, he’s a right handed hitter with a hit tool currently graded right around average, with plus power and a strong arm / good defensive reputation. He could be available at pick #24, and is a favorite of ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel; just like Kevin McGonigle was. MLB Pipeline connected Hammond to Detroit this week.
Slater de Brun, OF, Summit HS (OR)
de Brun has been mocked to Detroit a few times recently (including by Baseball America and by MLB Pipeline this week), and for good reason; his profile reads similarly to Max Clark’s. Slater is a likely first round pick, with a smooth lefty swing and strong hit tool, good approach, advanced bat-to-ball skills and excellent speed in center field. It wouldn’t be a surprise for the Tigers to target de Brun if he’s still on the board at pick #24, and ESPN mentioned him as a possibility also in their latest mock.
Round One / Competitive Balance Round Targets
Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset HS (OR)
With not only one of the best arms in the class, but also one of the best names, Kruz Schoolcraft is the first pitcher on our list of Tigers targets. Standing 6’8”, the left handed Kruz cruises around 97 MPH with the heater, and is generally ranked right around where the Tigers pick in the first round, although ESPN mocked him at #41 recently. Reports are mixed on his breaking ball, but with a solid changeup and command, elite velocity, a feel for spin and a repeatable low slot delivery, he’d give the Tigers pitching development factory a solid foundation to build off of.
Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (WA)
Another player with a consensus ranking in the range of the Tigers first pick, Neyens has massive power from the left side of the plate at 6’4”. He’s considered a bit more power over hit currently, which goes against the grain of how Detroit has generally operated in the draft lately; but with his strong approach at the plate, big pop, big arm and decent athleticism, just like Kruz Schoolcraft, he’d give the Tigers a lot to work with. (There were similar concerns about Bryce Rainer’s hit tool coming out of high school, and that’s worked out so far.) Neyens was mocked at #30 by both ESPN and MLB Pipeline this week.
Jaden Fauske, OF, Nazareth Academy HS (IL)
Fauske is projected to be selected somewhere in the range of the Competitive Balance round; in fact, MLB Pipeline mocked him to Detroit’s Comp pick twice this week (although ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel just mocked him at #14). Originally a catcher, Jaden is now thought of as more of an outfielder; either way, he’s expected to hit. Known for his solid approach, compact left handed swing, decent pop and athleticism, Fauske fits the mold of a corner outfielder that the Tigers may target. (ESPN also mentioned him as a possibility for Detroit.)
Competitive Balance Round Targets
Dax Kilby, MIF, Newnan HS (GA)
Yet another player projected to be drafted in the range of the Competitive Balance round, Kilby appears to be the Tigers type: strong hit tool from the left side, solid power and speed, good strike zone management and the ability to play up the middle, although there’s some question about his ability to stick at short. Like Jaden Fauske, Kilby got a mention from ESPN connecting him to Detroit in the first few rounds.
Sean Gamble, IF/OF, IMG Academy HS (FL)
Yet another lefty swinger with a solid hit tool, decent pop and a good approach, Gamble profiles similarly to Dax Kilby, with perhaps more speed. Opinions are mixed on whether or not Gamble will play second base or outfield (whereas Kilby expects to stay on the dirt), but he should be a solid defender either way, and like Kilby, could be in play for Detroit #34. MLB Pipeline connected him to Detroit in the first few rounds this week.
Tate Southisene, IF/OF, Basic HS (NV)
Southisene is similar to a right-handed hitting Gamble in some ways (outside of his unique setup), as he’s known as a solid all-around hitter with some pop and enough athleticism to play on the dirt or in the grass competently. Based on recent mock drafts, Tate could be available for Detroit in the range of their Competitive Balance pick, and ESPN namedropped him as a target for the Tigers in the first few rounds.
Ryan Mitchell, MIF, Houston HS (TN)
Mitchell is another player that could be in play for Detroit in the Competitive Balance round. Ryan’s hit tool and approach ranks up there with any other high school player in the class, and he has some pop to boot in his 6’2” frame. As a lefty swinger with a good approach and feel for the barrel, Mitchell feels like a Scott Harris type of player, and could be an ideal target in the comp round, despite some questions about his future defensive home (his range and arm may fit best at second base).
Quentin Young, 3B, Oaks Christian HS (CA)
Perhaps the most “famous” player on this list, Young is the nephew of former Tigers Dmitri and Delmon Young. Despite the connection, Quentin feels perhaps the least likely of anyone on this list to get drafted by Detroit, due to some slight concerns about swing and miss; but with big right handed power and good bat speed, an improving approach, a strong arm, solid athleticism and a lot of projection left, it would be a lot of fun to see what Detroit’s renowned developmental staff could do with the 6’6” right handed hitter, maybe with their Competitive Balance pick.
Aaron Watson, RHP, Trinity Christian HS (FL)
Another potential target for Detroit in the Competitive Balance round, Watson is a projectable, 6’5” righty with a well-rounded arsenal and feel for pitching to match. Currently sitting in the low to mid 90s with the heater, there may be more in the tank; and Aaron is known for his command and repeatable delivery, which the Tigers seem to enjoy. Kiley McDaniel mocked Watson to Detroit with their Competitive Balance pick back in mid-June, and connected him to Detroit again this week.
Jack Bauer, LHP, Lincoln Way East HS (IL)
I never saw the TV show 24, but I do like lefties that can touch 103 MPH with their fastball; and according to MLB Pipeline, that’s what Bauer did in a playoff game in June. Jack’s velo jump on one hand is great (he sat around 95 MPH as a junior), but on the other hand may scare some teams off, due to the potential for injury. But with that elite velo, and a good feel for spin and a changeup, some team will take the leap, and that team may be Detroit, perhaps in the Competitive Balance round.
Coy James, MIF, Davie County HS (NC)
James is a 6’ right handed hitting middle infielder with current average to slightly above average grades on his hit and power tool. With a solid reputation defensively as well, Coy is a well-rounded player who appears to be in play for Detroit in the Competitive Balance round (where ESPN mocked him this week) or potentially Round Two, based on aggregate rankings.
Matthew Fisher, RHP, Evansville Memorial HS (IN)
At 6’3” and 200 pounds, Fisher has a standard starter’s build, and currently sits in the 92-95 range from the right side with room for more as he fills out. Known for his solid athleticism and command, he’s a bit on the older side as a high school player (he’s 19); but with his ability to create spin and a feel for a decent changeup already, he could be a target for Detroit in the Competitive Balance round.
Round Two Targets
Angel Cervantes, RHP, Warren HS (CA)
At 6’3” and 195 pounds, Cervantes also has a prototypical starter build, with a solid all-around pitch mix and command to match. While his fastball currently sits in the low 90s, there’s some projection left for the still 17 year old right hander; and he’s known for his feel for pitching. Angel can spin it as well, and his best pitch may be the changeup, which you know the Tigers love their changeups. Cervantes may be available at pick #62 if the Tigers promise him an over slot deal.
Brock Sell, OF, Tokay HS (CA)
Another potential second round target for Detroit, Sell is another high school left handed hitter known for his strong hit tool and all-around game. Brock’s power is currently considered right around average, but the Tigers have shown they’re unafraid to bet on good hitters developing power later in their career. Sell is generally ranked right around where the Tigers pick in the second round, which makes for an intriguing match.
Nick Becker, MIF, Don Bosco HS (NJ)
Becker is expected to stick at shortstop despite being tall for a shortstop, due to his strong defensive reputation and athleticism. Combined with an above average hit tool from the right side, solid approach and bat-to-ball skills, developing power, good speed and projectability, Nick would be a solid option for Detroit in the second round if he makes it that far.
Jordan Yost, MIF, Sickles HS (FL)
Yost combines an above average hit tool from the left side with solid defense up the middle. His power currently lags behind his hit tool, but as mentioned the Tigers generally don’t let that bother them; and with strong contact skills and feel, and above average speed, there’s a lot to like in Yost’s game. He could be a target for Detroit at pick #62.
Alec Blair, OF, De La Salle HS (CA)
At 6’6”, Blair is one of the tallest hitters in the class (it shows in the box), and has the power to match. Alec is an excellent athlete with a ton of strength and good speed, and while his hit tool is currently graded as more average than great, there’s plenty to dream on with his already above average power and all-around tools. Per MLB Pipeline, the lefty swinging Blair is committed to Oklahoma to play both basketball and baseball, which not only speaks to his athleticism, but also speaks to his potential signability (or lack thereof). Perhaps the Tigers will be the team that offers enough money for Blair to put his hoop dreams to the side for now.
Josh Owens, MIF/OF, Providence Academy HS (TN)
Owens is a tall, slender left handed hitter with elite speed whose power is developing to catch up with his solid-average hit tool based on current grades. While currently a shortstop with a strong arm, some evaluators think he’d be more impactful in center. Detroit knows first hand how valuable a difference making center fielder (who can also hit) can be, and they may believe enough in the bat to target Owens in the second round.
Cooper Flemming, IF, Aliso Niguel HS (CA)
Flemming is a Vanderbilt commit with some athleticism in his 6’3” frame, and is known for a solid approach at the plate as well as a decent hit / power tool from the left side and strong arm / solid defensive reputation. ESPN mocked Flemming at #55 and mentioned him as a potential target for Detroit, which could put him in play for the Tigers in Round Two.
Dean Moss, OF, IMG Academy HS (FL)
Last but certainly not least, Moss is a solid all-around player who earns above average grades for his hit tool and approach, while earning average grades for his pop and defense. The lefty swinging Moss is currently a center fielder, but he could move to a corner eventually due to somewhat average speed. He was recently mocked to go in Round Two by ESPN, and it may take a large signing bonus to sway him from his commitment to LSU.
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