The Detroit Tigers went on a run in early July, and it continued briefly past the All-Star break. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for the harsh reality of this team not being contenders for a playoff spot to deliver a gut punch in the Motor City. A depleted starting rotation, on-and-off bullpen, and injuries impacting the lineup pretty much derailed the Tigers’ short-lived hope to be playing meaningful October baseball.
Detroit had to say goodbye to four players before the deadline on Tuesday. Carson Kelly was traded to the Texas Rangers to open up a spot for Dillon Dingler to make his MLB debut. Relief pitcher Andrew Chafin was also sent to the Lonestar state to pitch for the defending World Series champions. Mark Canha was traded to the San Francisco Giants straight up for relief pitching prospect Eric Silva. The big trade involving veteran RHP Jack Flaherty, which was completed moments before the deadline, sent C/1B Thayron Liranzo (now ranked as a top-five prospect in the Tigers organization by MLB.Com), and SS Trey Sweeney (now the 24th-ranked prospect in the Tigers’ organization by MLB.Com) to Detroit.
Once the dust settled on deadline day, the Tigers officially added four new prospects to the top 25 in their organization. Liranzo and Sweeney, both acquired in the Flaherty trade, landed at No.5 and No.24, respectively. Joseph Montalvo, acquired in the Chafin trade, is an RHP with upside as a reliever and lands at No.20. Silva, acquired in the Canha trade, lands at No.25 and also has upside as a relief pitcher.
The overreaction from Tigers fans after the deadline was driven by the returns both Toronto and Miami got by dealing one of their starting pitchers in this market. In exchange for LHP Trevor Rogers, the Miami Marlins received two top prospects from the Baltimore Orioles. They were Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers, and both of them could quickly make an impact on the Marlins’ big league roster. Many would have probably viewed it as the perfect trade for Detroit in a deal involving Flaherty. It’s unclear how much interest Baltimore had in Flaherty, but it’s hard to imagine they didn’t at least give the Tigers front office a call. The trade involving Yusei Kikuchi also stung for Tigers fans as the Astros gave up a pretty nice haul for the former Blue Jay southpaw.
There are several prospects down on the farm who are on the brink of a promotion, and in this article, four players will be highlighted as they hope for callups shortly.
1B Spencer Torkelson
Although Spencer Torkelson doesn’t count as a prospect anymore, there is no doubt that he is well on his way to returning to the Tigers lineup. Entering Thursday’s game, Tork was hitting .321 with three home runs, 11 walks, and 13 strikeouts in his last eight games with Triple-A Toledo, posting a 1.214 OPS. He also had a .419 on-base percentage and a .875 OPS in his last 19 games. Consistency has been Torkelson’s kryptonite, but his powerful bat can’t be ignored. If he is ever able to find consistency, he will be a fantastic major leaguer. You don’t hit 31 home runs in a season on accident, and that’s what Torkelson was able to do last season for Detroit.
Expect him to get another opportunity with the Tigers sooner rather than later.
SS Trey Sweeney
Let’s face it, the Zach McKinstry experiment has run its course in Detroit. He’s batting just .175 with a .528 OPS. Trey Sweeney is a left-handed bat who plays shortstop well. McKinstry has no direction, and we’ve pretty much seen his full potential. It would make sense to give someone like Sweeney an opportunity. He’s slashing 255/.334 /.427 with a .761 OPS. He has 38 extra-base hits, 13 home runs, 62 RBIs, and 44 walks on the season.
We could see McKinstry designated for assignment shortly and it would allow Sweeney to make his MLB debut.
3B/2B Jace Jung
Former 1st round pick Jace Jung has spent the majority of the season in Toledo. The only games he hasn’t worn a Mud Hens uniform in were four games with the Western Michigan White Caps on a rehab assignment. He is slashing 258/.380/.483 with a .864 OPS. Jung has 37 extra-base hits, 15 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 61 walks.
He is expected to be on the opening day roster in 2025, and it would make sense to promote him to the majors at some point with the team forgoing the playoffs.
RHP Jackson Jobe
The fact that Jackson Jobe is still dominating in Double-A with the Erie SeaWolves rather than pitching in Toledo is baffling. He has a legitimate shot at making the opening day roster in 2025 and should be making starts against Triple-A teams to prepare him for the major leagues. Jobe has an elite .152 ERA and 0.930 WHIP this season. Along the way, Jobe has struck out 58 batters while walking 23 in his 12 starts.
Despite a brief setback early in the season with a leg injury, Jobe has been phenomenal for Erie. Those numbers in 12 starts should be enough to earn him a promotion to Toledo before the season is over, and it should happen soon.
