Detroit Tigers Top 20 Prospects: No.15 Beau Brieske

The MCB Detroit Tigers Top 20 Prospects list stops at number 15 with Beau Brieske.

As we continue the countdown of our top 20 prospects in the Detroit Tigers system, we look at our No. 15 ranked prospect, RHP Beau Brieske. Brieske has quickly climbed the ranks of the Tigers’ farm system after a really impressive 2021 season. So good, in fact, to give reason to believe Brieske might make some major league starts for the Tigers in 2022.

Before we start, check out the rest of our Top 20 list here. 

So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

Beau Brieske background

The 23-year-old pitcher grew up in Chandler, Arizona, and started playing baseball at a young age because his father, who played baseball in college at Eastern Oregon, knew the sport and, of course, helped Brieske a lot.

Beau played at Perry High school in Gilbert, Arizona. While he was at Perry, he wasn’t really a pitcher. He played as a position player most of his high school career. Even winning an HR derby. Also, in an interview with The Athletic, he said, “I didn’t throw more than one inning at a time for my high school team until my senior year”.

After high school, he attended Colorado State-Pueblo for college to further his game. Brieske was then drafted by the Tigers in the 27th round pick 802 in the 2019 MLB draft, and since then he has climbed the ranks of the Tigers farm system.

Beau Brieske Strengths

Since being drafted, Beau has shown a lot of improvement and versatility in his game. Beau currently has a well-rounded 4-pitch mix. He uses all 4 pitches effectively, but his best pitch has to be his change-up.

This is because his change-up is so good and has such a good spin on it it works seamlessly with his fastball because they have such a similar spin and it really works well to confuse the hitter when he throws it. Because of the speed difference, it sits around the mid to low 80’s. So unless a hitter is sitting on this pitch, he can really pull the string on the hitter and be really effective on the mound.

Outlook for 2022 for Beau Brieske

Beau last year won the Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the year award and a lot of fans finally realized who Beau was and what he could bring to the table. So what should fans expect next season for Brieske?

I think if Beau repeats what he did in 2021 which was be a great pitcher in the minors strike a lot of guys out and not give up a ton of walks I think later on in the 2022 season we might see Beau get some major league starts with the Tigers.

If Brieske gets some starts at the major league level this season, he would join some pretty exclusive company. He would be the first Tigers’ pitcher drafted in the 21st round or later to make a start for the Tigers in nearly 30 years. The last time this happened, you would have to go back to 1987 when Mike Schwabe was drafted in the 21st round in 1987 and made 4-starts for the Tigers in 1989. Along with Rusty Meacham, who was drafted in the 33rd round for the Tigers and made 4-starts for the Tigers in 1991.

So many people should be excited for Brieske not only because he could be a great addition to the Tigers rotation for years to come, but also because fans have seen nothing like this in almost 30 years!