If you watched the MLB Draft coverage, you probably noticed Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis repeating two words constantly throughout Day 2: upside and potential. And honestly, if you look at the Detroit Tigers’ picks, especially on Day 2, you could use those same two words until you’re blue in the face.
That being said, after all the pitching injuries from the 2024 season, and even some lingering issues from the 2023 draft, it makes sense that the Tigers would look to restock the system with arms that fit their organizational philosophy. Detroit’s development staff has shown they can fine-tune pitchers, especially those with the foundation to add a solid third pitch. The goal is simple: get to strike two faster, and pile up strikeouts.
Looking closer at these picks as Day 2 kicked off, you can tell the Tigers’ area scouts had a strong influence on the selections, especially in regions where Detroit has been consistently active in recent drafts or signings. The patterns are there, and it’s clear the organization is leaning on trusted scouting eyes to identify talent that fits their developmental mold.
Outside the 11th-round pick, the Tigers went college heavy during this stretch, which seems to be an added benefit since these are pitchers with experience who could move up the system quicker. It fits the trend of targeting arms that might not need a full rebuild, just refinement, and gives the organization some flexibility with how they manage innings and development timelines.
Detroit Tigers Picks 11-15
Round 11 – Pick 339: RHP River Hamilton (Sam Barlow HS, OR)
A 6’3″ prep arm with a fastball touching 95–96 mph, a tight slider, and a developing changeup. Limited spring action due to elbow injury, but his arsenal fits Detroit’s prototype of high-upside, projectable prep pitchers.
While he is committed to LSU, a program known for using NIL money to keep top talent on campus, Detroit’s front office likely made this pick with a strategy in mind. By selecting Hamilton and potentially saving bonus pool money elsewhere, the Tigers could be positioning themselves to sway him toward the navy blue and orange rather than the purple and gold of Baton Rouge.
Round 12 – Pick 369: RHP Cash Kuiper (Murray State College, OK – JUCO)
Posted an 8–3 record, 4.92 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, and struck out 90 batters over 75 innings this season. Combines durability with swing-and-miss ability, ideal for piling up arms-depth.
Kuiper’s stock rose, thanks in part to his recent work with Pitching WRX, a performance lab where several Detroit Tigers pitchers have trained during past offseasons.
Per pitching coach Devin Crawford of Pitching WRX, here is what he said via their Instagram.
Since beginning his training there, Kuiper has made noticeable strides. Mechanical tweaks and experimentation with grips and pitch shapes have helped him consistently sit in the mid-90s with carry, while also adding some eye-catching movement to his breaking stuff.
Kuiper has focused on staying through the ball rather than just rotating his shoulders. That shift in approach—combined with targeted drills—has led to improved fastball life, higher induced vertical break (IVB), and more consistent spin on his breaking pitches.
He’s also added a sharp 90 mph cutter and made major progress on his sweeper, two weapons that fit Detroit’s mold of power arms with a diverse arsenal.
Pitching WRX summed it up well: “We’re pumped to see it all coming together for Cash.”
In some of the videos I found, Cash had a tendency to have his cap fall off often but it looks like that has been cleaned up. This was from three years ago.
Round 13 – Pick 399: SS Jack Goodman (Northeastern)
Slashed .335/.406/.547 with 10 HR and 51 RBI while playing shortstop. Offers both bat and glove polish, aligning with Detroit’s preference for college infield depth who can play multiple positions. He now joins Erie SeaWolves outfielder Ben Malgeri, who was also drafted out of Northeastern, continuing the Tigers’ trend of finding polished, competitive players from that program and from the Northeast area.
Round 14 – Pick 429: 1B Beau Ankeney (Loyola Marymount)
A right-handed power bat, he set an LMU single-season record with 22 home runs, including a three-homer game; profile fits Detroit’s desire for college bat depth and righty power. He is the first player the Tigers have drafted out of Loyola Marymount since Tanner Donnels, also a first baseman, in 2015.
Detroit @tigers grab right-handed hitter Beau Ankeney with the 429th pick of the #MLBDraft. pic.twitter.com/Kdh5mh5ZeF
— Rapsodo Baseball (@rapsodo) July 15, 2025
Round 15 – Pick 459: RHP Charlie Christensen (Central Arkansas)
This 6’4″ right-hander recorded a 5.85 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, struck out 74 over 80 innings, with fastball up to 95 mph plus cutter, changeup, and slider. Projectable college arm depth that has three pitches that the Tigers can work with.
Thank you UCA for giving me this opportunity. I am thankful for my coaches and my teammates for these three years. With this, I have decided to enter the transfer portal with 1 year of eligibility.
FB 91-94 T95
CT 86-88
SL 81-83
CH 84-87 pic.twitter.com/ARrRoZKn3i— Charlie Christensen (@CChristensen08) June 6, 2025
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Chris Brown 
Jerry McKennan