Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the The 2024 Prospect Digest Handbook here.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
1. Jackson Jobe, RHP
| FB | CB | CU | CH | Command | Overall |
| 60 | 70 | 50/55 | 60 | 55 | 60 |
Background: The Tigers, perhaps more so than any other organization, love taking pitching early in the draft and they’ve never shied away from teenage arms either. The club’s nabbed high school hurlers like Matt Manning, Beau Burrows, Jacob Turner, and Rick Porcello – all of whom joined the organization as first rounders since 2007. Jackson Jobe, a fellow prep arm, may turn out to be the best of the bunch. Snagged with the third overall pick in 2021, the Heritage Hall School product, who commanded a hefty $6.9 million deal, was – at one point – in the running to become the first high school right-hander to go #1 overall. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound youngster wouldn’t make his debut until the following summer, jumping straight into the fire of full season ball with the Lakeland Flying Tigers. He would make 18 starts with the club’s Low-A affiliate, throwing 61.2 innings with 71 punch outs against 25 walks. He spent the last couple of weeks squaring off against the High-A competition. Jobe would miss the opening few months of the 2023 season – courtesy of lumbar spine inflammation. Finally healthy in early June, he would make a tune-up start in the Complex League, another six games in Low-A and then moved back up to High-A. His final start – which happened to be of the dominant variety – came with the Erie SeaWolves in the Eastern League. Overall, he would finish the year with a dazzling 2.81 ERA, averaging 11.8 strikeouts and just 0.8 walks per nine innings. (That isn’t a typo; he walked just six hitters all year). Jobe continued his dominance in the Arizona Fall League as well, posting a 19-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 15.2 innings of work.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: Jobe, like a lot of young fireballers, lacks a strong feel for the strike zone, but shows the athleticism and flexibility that allows it to project to average. If the command can creep up into above-average territory, the sky’s the limit for the former third overall pick.
Scouting Report: Jobe eschewed his above-average curveball, which was an above-average offering, for a newly minted, late-darting cutter. It’ll flash above-average at times, though it’s still in the “need to find consistency” stage. The rest of the arsenal is still wickedly daunting: mid-90s fastball, easily a plus offering, reaching as high as 98 mph during his final start of the year. His changeup isn’t talked about enough, showing tremendous velocity separation (about 10- to 12-mph) with some downward tumble and arm-side fade. The biggest development for the former third overall pick is his feel for the strike zone. He was impeccably precision-like in 2023. He has the chance to ascend towards actual ace status atop a big league rotation. He could step into the big leagues now and perform like a mid-rotation arm.
Ceiling: 4.5-win player
Risk: Moderate to High
MLB ETA: 2024
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Max Clark, CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50/55 | 50/60 | 60 | 55 | 55 | 60 |
Background: In a deep draft, particularly coming from the collegiate ranks, Max Clark’s athleticism and potential clearly stood out as one of the top prep prospects in 2023. And it’s readily apparent just by glancing at the hardware he’s accrued. A two-sport dynamo, Clark, who has also starred on the gridiron as a game-changing wide receiver, earned not one, not two, but three IndianaGatorade Player of the Year awards, as well as capturing the National Gatorade Player of the Year award as a senior. During his tenure at Franklin Community High School, Clark earned his first Gatorade award as a sophomore in 2021, batting .450 with six dingers, and 30 RBIs while also tallying a 0.84 ERA with 120 punch outs in only 50 innings of work. A year later, during his second award-winning season, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound lefty mashed .577 with nine homeruns and 32RBIs at the dish, and he continued his dominance on the mound as well (16 IP, 39 K, 0.44 ERA). Prior to his senior season, the Vanderbilt University commit played on Team USA’s 18U squad and batted .280/.357/.440 during the World Cup. Last season, Clark raised the bar even further by hitting .646 with six homeruns, 33 RBIs and 45 runs scored. Detroit drafted the burgeoning star with the third overall pick last summer, signing him to a massive deal worth $7,697,500. Clark split his abbreviated debut between the Complex League and Lakeland, hitting .224/.383/.377 in 107 plate appearances.
Scouting Report: Pre-draft write-up:
“Clark hits every check box needed to be a top prospect: elite, explosive bat speed, plus arm, power, plus hit tool, and he’s projected to not only stay at an up-the-middle position but also provide value there. He hasn’t begun scratching the surface of tapping into his plus power potential. The Grizzly Cub star also showed an incredibly patient approach at the plate throughout his amateur career well, at one point walking 40 times (including 28 international free passes) during his senior season. Lean, but muscular. Twitchy. There’s the potential to develop into a Mike Cameron-type performer with a better hit tool.”
Ceiling: 4.5-win player
Risk: Moderate to High
MLB ETA: 2026/2027
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3. Colt Keith, 2B/3B
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 60 | 55 | 30 | 55 | 50 | 55 |
Background: Four years ago it would have been insane to think that Spencer Torkelson, one of the most lethal bats in college baseball history and the #1 overall pick, would not be the best player taken by Detroit that summer. But baseball’s a crazy game and Colt Keith just won’t stop hitting. A fifth round pick out of Biloxi High School, Keith, who joined the Motown Kitties for just $500,000, made abbreviated stops in the Complex League, Low-A, and High-A during his debut season in 2021. The next year the lefty-swinging second / third baseman dominated the High-A competition (.301/.370/.544 with 14 doubles, three triples, and nine homeruns) and absolutely manhandled the Arizona Fall League by slugging .344/.463/.541. Last season, Keith continued to breeze through Double-A and Triple-A. He opened the year up with Erie by hitting .325/.391/.585 34 extra-base knocks in only 59 games. And he continued to swing a hot stick after his promotion up to Toledo, batting .287/.369/.521 with another 34 extra-base hits. The former fifth rounder would finish the year with an aggregate .306/.380/.552 slash line, belting out 38 doubles, three triples, and 27 homeruns. Per Weighted Runs Created Plus, his aggregate production surpassed the league average threshold by a whopping 40%.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: Keith went from a line-driving hitter during his first pro season to a legitimate power-hitter with a similar approach from at bat to at bat. Really good looking, silky smooth swing. Keith shoots the ball all over the diamond without regard. If everything clicks just right – which is a long shot – there’s some Justin Turner / Jeff McNeil upside.
Scouting Report: With regard to his production in Double-A, the minor’s biggest challenge, consider the following:
Since 2006, here’s the list of 21-year-old hitters that posted a wRC+ total north of 160 with one Double-A club (min. 250 PA): Mookie Betts, Corbin Carroll, Mike Moustakas, Austin Hayes, Coby May, Oswaldo Arcia, and – of course – Colt Keith.
Pretty good company, needless to say, so now let’s look at how his numbers stack up in Triple-A:
Since 2006, here’s the list of 21-year-old hitters that posted a 115- to 125-wRC+ with a double-digit walk rate, and an 18% to 22% strikeout rate with one club in Triple-A (min. 275 PA): B.J. Upton, Carter Kieboom, Jake Bauers, and Colt Keith.
A little less impressive company this time. The power Keith was hinting at in 2022 bloomed into a reliable above-average weapon last summer. He hits lefties and righties equally well. He hits for power and average. He’s hit at every level including the Arizona Fall League. He’s hit against older competition. He just…hits. Very patient, mature approach at the plate. Keith, who saw a steady diet of breaking balls last season, owns explosive bat speed and creates plenty of loft that likely leads to 25 to 30 homeruns at the big league level. Plus hit tool, above-average power – the bat will play anywhere, but the ability to play a decent second or third base makes him a perennial All-Star candidate.
Ceiling: 3.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
_______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Jace Jung, 2B/3B
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 45 | 55 | 30 | 55 | 55 | 50 |
Background: One of the best bats in college baseball over his final two seasons at Texas Tech. Jung, almost impossibly so, was able to step out of his older brother’s looming shadow and establish himself as a legitimate blue chip prospect, despite the awkward setup at the plate. Either way, though, the Tigers liked what they saw and selected him with the 12th overall pick two years ago and they immediately placed him on the fast-track to the big leagues. Jung made his professional debut in High-A and he looked completely overmatched as he hit .232/.373/.333 with just eight extra-base knocks in 30 contests. Last season, Detroit sent the lefty-swinging infielder back down to West Michigan and – unsurprisingly – the results were much better as he hit .254/.377/.465 with 34 extra-base hits in 81 games. The former Red Raider spent the rest of the year blossoming in Double-A (.284/.373/.563). Overall, he hit .265/.376/.502 with 27 doubles, two triples, 28 homers, and five stolen bases. Per Weighted Runs Created Plus, his overall production surpassed the league average mark by 43%.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: It’s a peculiar swing, but it’s short and lightning quick. Jung has above-average power potential, a little bit of footspeed, and he’s had no trouble with better college-age competition. The ceiling is higher if he can stick to second base. Ben Zobrist-type offensive performer.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only five 22-year-old hitters met the following criteria with one club in Double-A (min. 200 PA): 150 to 160 wRC+ and a strikeout rate greater than 25%. Those five hitters: Nick Pratto, Dylan Cozens, Kevin Padlo, Jack Suwinski, and Jace Jung.
Jung completely reworked the setup and approach at the plate, which isn’t surprising. There’s still a little bit of Cal Ripken / Chuck Knoblauch sag to the bat at the initial onset, but it’s significantly less noticeable. Great bat speed and the power definitely took a leap forward as well. But the overall hit tool is going limit his overall offensive ceiling. His batting average is going to consistently sit in the .235- to .250-range at the big league level. 25-homer thump. Above-average patience. Surprisingly strong defensive numbers / ability. Max Muncy type vibes at the keystone. Detroit also had him experimenting at the hot corner in the Arizona Fall League too.
Ceiling: 2.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5. Ty Madden, RHP
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 60 | 60 | 65 | 50 | 45 | 50 |
Background: Big, strapping right-handed pitchers and the University of Texas are practically synonymous at this point. Guys like Roger Clemens or Burt Hooton or Calvin Schiraldi or Huston Street or Shane Reynolds or Brandon Workman or Corey Knebel. You probably get the point. And the Tigers may just have the next one in line. Taken with the 32nd overall pick three years ago, which was a bit of surprise because he was expected to go earlier, Madden split his debut showing between West Michigan and Erie the following year. He tossed 122.2 innings – because that’s what Longhorn hurlers just do – while averaging 9.8 strikeouts and just 2.8 walks per nine innings. Last season, the front office bounced him back to the crucible that is Double-A for a longer look. He was nothing short of brilliant. Throwing 118.0 innings across 25 starts and a relief outing, he posted a 146-to-50 strikeout-to-walk ratio to go along with a 3.43 ERA, a 3.94 FIP, and a 3.46 xFIP.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: Madden continues to throw quality strikes, which wasn’t the case early in his collegiate career. A year after the draft, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound hurler still has the makings a #3-type arm. He’s just one step closer to accomplishing it.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, five 23-year-old hurlers met the following criteria with one team in any Double-A league (min. 75 IP): 28% to 31% strikeout percentage with a 9% to 12% walk percentage. Those five hurlers: Matt Barnes, Andrew Abbott, David Festa, Cole Sands, and former Longhorn ace Ty Madden.
Madden was so absurdly dominant when I scouted him, firing off mid- to upper-90s heat, a wickedly unfair slider that simply can’t be taught, a plus curveball that, quite frankly would be the best offering for a lot of pitchers but hardly registers after watching him snap off his slider, and a decent changeup. He’s living around the strike zone, though the command backed up a smidge from the previous year. I have to be frank: I absolutely love Madden. He could have a Tanner Bibee / Gavin Williams type impact for the Tigers in 2024. Well-built, Madden should have no issues throwing 200-plus innings year after a year. If he starts the year in Motown he’llbe contender for the AL Rookie of the Year.
Ceiling: 2.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
_______________________________________________________________________________________
6. Kevin McGonigle, 2B/SS
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55 | 40/45 | 35 | 55 | 50 | 50 |
Background: A terrific hitter during his career at Bonner-Prendergast High School, McGonigle, who committed to SEC-based Auburn University prior to his freshman high school season, quickly made up for a lost 2020 COVID-year by mashing .517/.6500/1.034 as a sophomore, belting out five doubles, two triples, and seven homeruns. His junior season with the Catholic high school was nearly as spectacular as he slugged .457/.582/.975 with five doubles, two triples, and 11 homeruns with just two strikeouts. He spent the summer playing on Team USA’s 18U squad, batting .240/.367/.520 with two doubles, one triple, and a homerun. He finished the brief stint with more walks (5) than strikeouts (3). McGonigle raised the bar to a career year in 2023. Appearing in 25 games with the Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania academy, McGonigle batted .530/.690/1.045 with eight doubles, four triples, and six homeruns (with just a pair of strikeouts). Detroit selected the lefty-swinging middle infielder with the 37th overall pick, signing him to an above-slot deal worth $2.85 million. McGonigle batted .315/.452/.411 with four doubles and a dinger during his abbreviated debut in the Complex League and Low-A.
Scouting Report: Idolizing Chase Utley throughout his childhood, the lefty-swinging infielder shows an incredibly patient approach at the plate. Sneaky power from a 5-10, sub-190-pound prospect, McGonigle has the potential to develop into a 15- to 20-homer threat as he continues to mature. Wide base, beautiful, picturesque swing with natural loft and bat speed. Defensively, he’s likely to slide over to the right side of the keystone. Tremendous pick by the Tigers.
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2027
_______________________________________________________________________________________
7. Wilmer Flores, RHP
| FB | CB | SL/CU | CH | Command | Overall |
| 50 | 60 | 50 | 45 | 50 | 45 |
Background: The front office did well in the 2020 draft, adding Spencer Torkelson, an above-average though not elite power bat; Colt Keith, and Wilmer Flores, an undrafted free agent out of Arizona Western College with less than a dozen innings on his resume. A handful of years later and Flores established himself as one of the better, more underrated arms in the minor leagues. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound right-hander spent the majority of his debut season in Low-A in 2021. A year later he blitzed through High-A and settled in nicely with Erie for 19 strong starts. The front office sent Flores – almost inexplicably – back to Double-A for some additional seasoning in 2023. After getting lit up in his second and third starts with the SeaWolves (4.1 IP, 13 ER), he got his legs underneath him and righted the ship. A hamstring injury knocked him out of commission for several weeks late in the year. Excluding his three-game tune-up with West Michigan, Flores posted an 82-to-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 80.2 innings in Double-A. He spent the fall with the Salt River Rafters, fanning 22 and walking 4 in 18.0 IP.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: There’s #4-type upside here thanks to his command and three solid pitches.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, eight 22-year-old hurlers met the following criteria with one club in Double-A (min. 75 IP): 23.5% to 25.5% strikeout percentage with an 8.5% to 10.5% walk percentage. Those eight hurlers: Zack Wheeler, Wily Peralta, Jorge Lopez, Jordan Balazovic, Garrett Olson, Kodi Medeiros, Victor Mederos, and Wilmer Flores.
It’s a bit surprising that Detroit sent Flores back to Double-A, but he looked the same as he did the previous season: average fastball that sits in the 93- to 94-mph range, a plus yacker of a curveball, and an average-ish (maybe slightly better) slider. The changeup is thrown rarely and remains fringy. Flores continues to add and subtract from his curveball which essentially adds another weapon into his solid arsenal. He has similar mannerism as Mike Clevenger. Flores has a backend starter ceiling.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
_______________________________________________________________________________________
8. Parker Meadows, CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 40 | 50 | 55 | 55 | 50 | 45 |
Background: For years Meadows, the club’s high-priced second round pick from 2018, was cast into the “toolsy, but won’t ever figure it out” pile of prospects. He looked dreadful during his stint in Low-A the following season, batting a putrid .221/.296/.312 while showing a 30-grade hit tool and matching power. And after jumping up to High-A in 2021, the lefty-swinging center fielder remained remarkably disappointing: .209/.290/.330 with 15 doubles, two triples, eight homeruns, and nine stolen bases (but he was caught eight times). Still, though, the front office continued Meadows’ march to eventual flame-out like clockwork. He spent the opening couple weeks in High-A, hitting a Meadows-like .230/.288/.525, before moving up to the crucible that Double-A is. And he – somehow – figured it out. He blossomed into a bonafide prospect again, bashing .275/.354/.466 with 43 extra-base hits in only 113 games. Meadows spent the majority of last season with the club’s Triple-A affiliate, hitting a solid .256/.337/.474 with a career best 27 doubles, seven triples, 19 homeruns, and 19 stolen bases (in only 21 total attempts). According to Weighted Runs Created Plus, his overall production was 1% below the league average. He spent the last several weeks with the club in Detroit, hitting .232/.331/.368 but managed to provide enough value on defense to be an asset.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: The tools were always in place for Meadows – speed, above-average power, solid contact rates, defense, no major platoon issues (surprisingly). Except now, though, Meadows is actually barreling up the baseball. He’s not likely going to be a star – though, again, the tools are there – but Meadows’ resurgent 2022 season all but guarantees him several looks at the big league level. There’s plenty of skepticism, but one more similar season and Meadows could be a fringy average starter.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only two 23-year-old hitters met the following criteria with one club in Triple-A (min. 350 PA): 95 to 105 wRC+, a double-digit walk rate, and a K-rate between 22.5% to 26.5%. The two bats: Michael Reed and Parker Meadows.
The offensive step forward was imperative to save Meadows’ professional career, but it’s still not enough to become more than a slightly below-average big league hitter. Average power, above-average speed, and the patient approach he showed two years ago proved to be a repeatable skill. The package as a whole doesn’t look overly pretty – and he’s likely best suited for some type of super-sub fourth outfield gig – but there’s enough to be a low end starter, maybe a smidgeon more depending how the BABIP bounces.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023
_______________________________________________________________________________________
9. Dillon Dingler, C
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 40 | 50 | 30 | 50 | 55 | 45 |
Background: The Ohio State University is far from a baseball powerhouse. The Buckeyes have graduated just five players to the professional ranks as a first or second round pick since 2006. Peculiarly enough, Detroit has been the home to two of those selections: Ronnie Borquin, who I personally saw in college (I’m a Buckeye) and looked every bit of a big league hitter, and Dillon Dingler. The 38th overall pick four years ago, Dingler’s been a mainstay among Detroit’s better, well-known prospects since joining the organization – despite a questionable hit tool. And the 2023 season was much the same. Dingler got off to a late start to the year, thanks to a knee injury, so the front office sent him to Low-A to get his feet back underneath him. After a brief eight-game cameo Dingler popped back up in Double-A. He would bat a rock solid .253/.372/.462 with 20 extra-base hits before spending the last month of games in Triple-A. In total, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound backstop batted .256/.361/.478 with 22 doubles, one triple, and a career best 16 homeruns in 89 games between all three levels.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: When it comes to offensive approach, Detroit almost has a predisposed requisite for their catchers. 40-grade bat, above-average power, average-ish patience, swing-and-miss issues. Eric Haase fits this to a tee. Jake Rogers, once the top catching prospect in their system, is cut from a similar mold. And now, too, does Dillon Dingler.
Scouting Report: Again, you know what you’re going to get out of Dingler: batting averages in the .240, 15 or so homeruns, and some stellar defense behind the plate. And that’s exactly what he did last season. Eric Haase, James McCann, Jake Rogers, and, now, Dillon Dingler. In terms of ceiling, think: .240/.310/.420.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
_______________________________________________________________________________________
10. Keider Montero, RHP
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 55 | 65 | 55 | 50 | 45 | 50 |
Background: Plucked off theinternational free agent market in 2017, Montero took a little bit to get going at the onset of his career, but he’s typically been a peripheral underdog since then. During his first stint stateside, 2019, the 6-foot-1, 145-pound right-hander averaged 9.3 strikeouts and 3.0 walks per nine innings between the old Gulf Coast and New York-Penn Leagues. After minor league action returned from it COVID hiatus, Montero posted a 59-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 61.1 innings with West Michigan. The following year, 2022, Detroit – in a bit of head-turning move – sent him back to High-A and he nearly repeated the performance in roughly 40 more innings, averaging 8.8 strikeouts and 3.2 walks per nine innings. Last season, Montero started – again – in High-A but jumped up to Erie after four starts, but his stint in Double-A was brief (just 15 starts) before setting his sights on Triple-A. Montero would finish the year with career best 127.1 innings of work, averaging a career best 11.3 strikeouts and 3.5 walks per nine innings. He finished the year with an aggregate 4.66 ERA.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: Very similar arsenal – without the refinement – as Dylan Smith. Montero sports an average-ish 93 mph fastball – which he relies heavily on. He’ll mix in a pair of breaking balls: a curveball with beautiful 12-6 shape and a power slider that generates some awkward swings. The slider flashes above-average at times and it’s the type of offering that a pitching savvy organization would have him focus on, but Detroit hasn’t proven to be that type of organization, at least not yet. He’ll also mix in a below-average changeup.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, seven 22-year-old hurlers met the following criteria with one club in any Double-A league (min. 60 IP): 28% to 31% strikeout percentage and a 9% to 11% walk percentage. Those seven hurlers: Blake Snell, Gavin Williams, Mike Minor, Touki Toussaint, Curtis Taylor, Royber Salinas, and – of course – Keider Montero.
Montero continues to just…progress and get better. His fastball was sitting in the 93-94 mph range and touching 96 mph. His curveball was sharply bending at about 3200 RPMs, a plus slider and an average changeup. His weight, listed at just 145 pounds, is also significantly higher as well. Montero’s working himself into position to be a solid backed starting option, potentially as early as midway through 2024. He’s going to open a lot of eyes when he toes a big league rubber.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
_______________________________________________________________________________________
All statistics were provided via the following website: Baseball Reference, FanGraphs, TheBaseballCube, BaseballProspectus, ClayDavenport.com, Baseball America, and X-user @mk237700 (for compiling Statcast Data)
