3 Detroit Minor-Leaguers Who Could See a Promotion Soon

There’s no doubt that the future of the Detroit Tigers is bright, and that has been very much evident based on the performances of some young talent littered throughout the minor league system.

The Detroit Tigers haven’t had much success in the big leagues in recent seasons, but that has allowed them with an opportunity to acquire some exceptional talent to mold the future of their roster. Guys like Casey Mize, Matt Manning, and Derek Hill have all developed into nice players in the upper minors and there is sure to be a slew of talent following in their footsteps.

Jake Rogers, Mize, Tarik Skubal, and Akil Baddoo have now graduated from prospect status and a few draft picks from the 2019 and 2020 draft classes are making noise already early in the minor league season. Outside of the Mud Hens, who are a game under .500, the rest of the affiliates are at .500 or better. Another positive so far in the minor league season is two Whitecaps players were named High-A Central players of the week. Beau Brieske and Rey Rivera. 

Let’s dive into three players in the Tigers’ minor league system who could warrant promotion in the near future.

Number One: Riley Greene

Riley Greene is one of the most intriguing prospects in all of baseball and we wouldn’t be surprised if our number one ranked prospect gets a promotion from the Double-A Erie SeaWolves to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens in the near future. Greene, a 20-year-old outfielder, is the number two overall prospect in the Detroit Tigers’ minor league system and he has been tearing it up in Double-A baseball this season.

Riley Greene has gotten the job done with his bat and has made his fair share of highlight-reel plays from his center field position as well. Greene, thus far this season, has averaged .263 while drilling four home runs and 16 RBI. Greene has excelled at getting on base, which is nothing new for him, as his average in that department currently sits .362 which ranks him ninth amongst all Double-A Northeast outfielders.

Riley Greene still has some growing to do and Detroit isn’t likely going to rush the development of Greene considering the significant talent they have in Triple-A right now, which could pay off in the long haul. While the Tigers don’t want to rush Riley’s development, I have a hard time believing that we’ll see Greene suiting up for the SeaWolves beyond late July.

Number Two: Gage Workman

Gage Workman was a fourth-round pick by the Detroit Tigers in 2020 and their 2020 draft class is already looking like it’s going to pan out into something special. Gage Workman has been putting in work this season (no pun intended), and he could certainly warrant promotion from the Low-A Lakeland Flying Tigers to the High-A West Michigan Whitecaps.

Workman, a 21-year-old third baseman, has displayed a consistent ability to put the ball in play with his bat in seemingly every at-bat and he has drawn nationwide attention with his torrid start. Workman, in the early going this season, has hit .288 with 23 hits, 11 RBI, two home runs, 16 runs, and six stolen bases. Workman has also done an excellent job of working himself on base as his average currently sits at .383 in that category.

Gage Workman has hit for the cycle already this season and Detroit’s number 12 overall prospect could see a leap up to High-A ball in the near future. If Workman continues to shine in the lower levels, I wouldn’t be surprised if a late-season call-up to Double-A Erie came to fruition.