Detroit Tigers bolster their top-tier farm system in the 2025 MLB Draft, selecting Jordan Yost & Michael Oliveto. See how they fit with star prospect Max Clark.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
While the lights were off at Comerica Park on Tuesday, the Detroit Tigers' front office was burning the midnight oil, making a major investment in the team's future. On Day 1 of the 2025 MLB Draft, the Tigers added a potent mix of speed, contact, and power to what is already considered one of the best farm systems in baseball, giving fans plenty to dream about during the mid-July pause.
15 home runs and 57 RBI in just 55 games. That's the staggering power surge from 20-year-old catching prospect Josue Briceño.
Detroit used its two top picks to grab high-upside talent. With the No. 24 overall selection, they took Jordan Yost, a dynamic player praised for his contact-first approach, plus-defense, and game-changing speed on the basepaths. Just ten picks later, at No. 34, they snagged left-handed hitter Michael Oliveto. The Yale commit turned heads at the WWBA World Championship and brings a promising bat to the organization. The team wasn't done, adding projectable pitcher Malachi Witherspoon and raw southpaw Jacobs, who boasts a mid-90s fastball, further stocking the talent cupboard.
The new draft class joins an already thriving minor league system. Top prospect Max Clark is making High-A look easy, starting July by going 7-for-18 (.389) with a homer and five RBIs in his first four games. A promotion to Double-A Erie seems not just likely, but imminent. Meanwhile, 20-year-old catcher Josue Briceño is having a breakout season for West Michigan, showcasing a massive power increase with 15 home runs and 57 RBI in just 55 games. After hitting just four homers all of last season, Briceño's development is a massive win for the organization.
With the MLB Draft and exciting farm system news taking center stage, the lack of a game on Tuesday felt more like a welcome breather than a disappointment. It provided a perfect opportunity for the organization and its fans to collectively turn their attention to the future. The big league club, last in action on Saturday against the Mariners, will use the time to rest and prepare for the stretch run.
While there was no on-field action Tuesday, the day was a resounding success for the Detroit Tigers. The infusion of talent from the draft, combined with the stellar development of players like Max Clark and Josue Briceño, paints a clear picture of a sustainable winner being built in Detroit. As the big league club rests up for their next series, fans can rest easy knowing the next wave of Tigers talent is on its way.
