The Detroit Tigers weren’t going to get a prospect in this month’s MLB Draft that was going to immediately rank among the game’s best, picking at No. 24 overall.
So, with Baseball America on Monday rolling out its first post-draft list of its top 100 prospects, it’s no surprise Tigers top pick, Florida prep shortstop Jordan Yost, was not among the new entrees. Still, the Tigers boast five prospects on the list, led by Double-A Erie infielder Kevin McGonigle at No. 2 overall.
McGonigle is followed by outfielder Max Clark (No. 9), shortstop Bryce Rainer (26), catcher Thayron Liranzo (69), and catcher/first baseman Josue Briceño (75).
The Tigers’ five prospects were tied for fifth-most among all organizations, with the Cleveland Guardians and Milwaukee Brewers. The Seattle Mariners lead the way with eight, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers (seven), and Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox (six apiece).
The Tigers also had five prospects in Baseball America’s preseason top 100 in January, which at the time was fourth behind the Mariners (seven), Dodgers (six) and Tampa Bay Rays (six).
McGonigle was No. 23 in those rankings, but he’s since rocketed to near the top in a season in which he’s hit .342 with a 1.026 OPS over three levels (that includes a rehab stint in low Single-A Lakeland) and this month was promoted to Erie with Clark and Briceño.
“McGonigle is a hitting machine and, like (Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor) Griffin ahead of him, has rocketed up the Top 100 this season,” Baseball America writes. “The 20-year-old has elite contact skills and rarely chases. His power gains and shortstop defense in 2024 exceeded expectations, too. The 5-foot-10 infielder has all-star upside even if he has to shift to second base. He’s back getting regular at-bats after a sprained ankle sidelined him earlier in the season.”
Clark also has moved up since January’s rankings to give the Tigers a pair of top-10 prospects, even with the graduation of right-hander Jackson Jobe.
Clark, 20, is hitting .284 across two stops with a .421 on-base percentage. He has nine home runs and 16 stolen bases, boasting more walks (70) than strikeouts (64).
“The rise of Clark and Kevin McGonigle — among plenty of others — has fueled the Tigers’ ascent to one of the best farm system’s in the game,” Baseball America writes. “Clark has just about every tool in his bag and should one day take his place atop Detroit’s lineup.”
Rainer is considered an ascending prospect, despite having his season cut short because of a dislocated shoulder. Both Liranzo and Briceño face questions about their future at catcher, though Liranzo draws high marks for his switch-hitting ability, and Briceño’s season includes a monster three-home run performance while still at Single-A West Michigan.
“There are some questions about Briceño’s ability to catch in the majors,” Baseball America writes, “but his bat is loud enough to play where he catches or ends up at first base, and he has performed well enough to climb the ladder alongside both Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle in a strong Tigers system.”
McGonigle, Clark and Briceño all were selected for this month’s Futures Game, played during the All-Star weekend.
Also in the top 100 is White Sox shortstop prospect Caleb Bonemer, an Okemos product selected in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft. Bonemer, 19, is hitting .259 with eight home runs and an .808 OPS at low Single-A Kannapolis.
