Detroit Tigers: Riley Greene and Bobby Witt preview AL Central future

The Detroit Tigers and KC Royals have some interesting drama brewing in Triple-A that could set the table for years to come.

Usually most Triple-A baseball series in early September can be pretty drab affairs of two teams playing out the string of another long summer of baseball. Some guys might be getting ready for a September call-up, more are wondering where they’ll find their next gig in ‘22. For the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals, is this no different.

However, there is nothing mundane this week as some serious prospect juice is on display in Omaha, Nebraska. The Toledo Mudhens are visiting the hometown Storm Chasers with two lineups filled with future big leaguers who will shape much of the future in AL Central clashes for the next several seasons.

The Mudhens show up with the cream of the crop in the Detroit Tigers organization in Riley Greene (CF) and Spencer Torkelson (1B). The slugging Torkelson is ranked as the #4 prospect in baseball at both Baseball America (BA) and MLB Pipeline. Greene checks in on both lists at #5 and #7 respectively.

Far from being outdone, the Storm Chasers showcase three, and possibly four, future Kansas City Royals lineup pillars. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. leads the way ranked as the #3 prospect in the game. Nick Pratto (1B) and MJ Melendez (C) both check in the Top 100  at both BA and Pipeline. The Chasers also have centerfielder Kyle Isbel who broke camp with the big club in the Spring and likely has a role to play in KC down the line.

The Royals have been known for drafting pitching recently but they have quite a bit of firepower among the three mentions above.