Detroit Tigers: Minor league pitchers to watch in 2022
By Eli Paszek
It’s easy to look at the Detroit Tigers’ minor league system and think there is a lack of solid young arms that might fill major league roles. Now that the big three (Mize, Manning, Skubal) have all graduated from the system, it is simple to assume that they are exceptionally top-heavy with prospect bats.
However, as Detroit Jock City Co-Expert Tyler Kotila pointed out earlier this week, the Detroit Tigers have quite a few under-the-radar prospect arms that could rise through the system quickly to make an impact. The two he pointed out, Dylan Smith and Ty Madden, are solid arms, but there’s an argument to be made that both have at least some expectations as draftees in the first five rounds.
The Tigers’ prospect pipeline does have even more depth than we expect in starting rotations, specifically from two incredible young arms: Beau Brieske and Garrett Hill. Hill and Brieske were drafted in the 26th and 27th rounds of the 2018 and 2019 drafts, respectively. However, their draft positions have not defined their performances.
Both have performed at all levels so far, and now, both will have a chance to impact the upper minors this next year. The question will be if they are able to sustain growth and continue to move in the right direction. This is what could make these two into players to watch, looking down the road.
So let’s break down these two young solid arms, and let’s see…