Watch: Numerous Detroit Tigers Top Prospects Shine in Spring Breakout Game
The Detroit Tigers took on the Atlanta Braves on Sunday afternoon in their Spring Breakout game which featured a lineup that was comprised of virtually all top-30 prospects. More than half of the top-10 within the organization were also featured.
Coming away with a hard-earned 6-3 victory, the highest levels of talent within baseball's No. 1 farm system shined throughout the game.
The most impressive performance on the offensive side of the ball for the Tigers came from a player fans are really just now getting to see for the first time; 2024 first round selection, 19-year-old shortstop Bryce Rainer.
Rainer went 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBI including an opposite field shot to left where he put it over the left fielders head on the warning track.
Bryce Rainer flashes his plus power with an RBI single to deep left. pic.twitter.com/FC9ZwMMjez
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) March 16, 2025
Rainer came up to the plate again and brought in two more runs by going the other way for an absolute rip of a line drive over the shortstop's head.
Bryce Rainer with a beautiful piece of hitting to take a 96 MPH fastball and drive it over the shortstop for two runs. pic.twitter.com/9lvaKrQMZY
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) March 16, 2025
Currently rated as the team's No. 4 prospect, Rainer has not even played a season in the minor leagues yet and is likely at least a couple of years away from being ready.
With that being said, his swing looks mature beyond his age, so perhaps he could arrive sooner rather than later.
Detroit's No. 4 prospect - infielder Kevin McGonigle - got the start at third base and recorded a hit while he also flashed the leather in the field.
Kevin McGonigle rips a sharp single to the opposite field. pic.twitter.com/eLL7YzMhWk
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) March 16, 2025
Kevin McGonigle, playing 3rd base today, goes deep behind the bag and flashes an impressive arm. Nice pick by Josue Briceño, too. pic.twitter.com/20hJf9Aunb
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) March 16, 2025
McGonigle has not yet played above the High-A level, but after a monster showing during his first 95 games in the last two seasons from rookie ball through Single-A, he appears ready to make a statement and take the next step in his development this year.
The Tigers' No. 2 prospect, Max Clark, started the game in center field had a nice piece of hitting when he went the other way and also had a sacrifice fly.
He made a heads up play in the field when he caught a runner snoozing trying to sneak from second to third, gunning him down on his way back to second.
Max Clark shoots the ball to left and speeds to second base on the carom. pic.twitter.com/Lqlr1DXivU
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) March 16, 2025
Max Clark smartly throws behind the runner at 2nd and Franyerber Montilla with a great pick and tag to end the inning. pic.twitter.com/BtjjOSmmST
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) March 16, 2025
Clark, who was drafted with McGonigle in the first round of the 2023 MLB draft, similarly has not yet reached Double-A, though he is making the most of his limited opportunities thus far and is scheduled to arrive in the MLB with his counterpart in 2027.
No. 5 prospect Thayron Liranzo, who had already made some noise during spring training with a powerful bat, continued to shine with a double into the right field corner:
Thayron Liranzo rips a double into the left corner. pic.twitter.com/gBNNCeGwKL
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) March 16, 2025
Liranzo was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Jack Flaherty trade. He might be a year ahead of Clark and McGonigle when it comes to his MLB ETA.
He has announced his arrival quickly since the trade with a tremendous finish to the season in West Michigan, while also having a huge showing in the Arizona Fall League.
Detroit has the top farm system in baseball for a reason, featuring numerous players who may very well be future superstars.
While many are multiple seasons away from actually making an impact for the Tigers at the MLB level, there's no question the future in the Motor City is bright.
Fans should pay very close attention over the next couple of seasons about how these guys perform as they climb the minor league ladder and get closer and closer to arriving in Detroit.
