Detroit Tigers Top 20 Prospects: No.5 right-hander Ty Madden

Our Detroit Tigers prospect rankings roll on with our fifth-best prospect in the system, right-hander Ty Madden.

With the minor league mini camp starting on Wednesday, we are getting close to wrapping up the best prospects in the Detroit Tigers system. Number six was Ryan Kreidler, the third member of an impressive power trio of himself, Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene.  Coming in at number 5, just like our friends over at Bless You Boys, is Ty Madden.

Ty Madden Background

Ty Madden was a pitcher that the Tigers did not expect to land in their lap at pick number 32 in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft, which was the highest pick from Texas in 10 years. The pick was met with great praise by Baseball America’s JJ Cooper, who we had on our Tigers podcast, and backed up his statement said on draft night.

Standing at 6’3, the Cypress, Texas native, was the workhorse in the Longhorns’ rotation. His performance on short rest against the eventual NCAA champions, Mississippi State, to give the Longhorns a chance to advance to the College World Series final was impressive. He punched out eight in six innings of work, allowing two runs on four hits.

The Big 12 Pitcher of the Year in 2021 dominated in the College World Series. He allowed just four runs, striking out 18 in 13 innings of work. His 137 strikeouts on the season were the most by a Texas pitcher since J. P. Howell in 2004.

Ty Madden Strengths

Madden throws a four-seam fastball, slider, curve and a changeup. The fastball sits anywhere from 91 to 95 and has topped out at 98 with good tailing action in on right-handers as he is not afraid to throw in the inner part of the plate.

His fastball sets up a better-than-average slider that has good, late break to it. The snap action here is impressive.

With his changeup that he has been working on to change the grip to throw with more consistency, he possesses three good pitches to continue his development as a starter. He is still young enough to project into a starter. Another impressive strength of his is his work ethic, which his coach at Texas, David Pierce, discussed at length at several times in June 2021. 

“What the kid has done for our team, his leadership and his work ethic, has helped mold this culture, helped younger players and helped older players,”

Ty Madden Weaknesses

As far as “weaknesses” go, his curve does not have the same snap as his slider. His command will be a work in progress. If he can throw his changeup or curve as a consistent third pitch, he will move through the system quickly. However, there is a slight reliever risk with his makeup.

But look at how the Tigers saw gains in lower round draft picks like Garrett Hill, Chavez Fernander, and 2021 Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Beau Brieske, Detroit is looking to break the long time reputation of lack of development from their arms.

Our take on Ty Madden

With the aggressive nature in the Tigers put their prospects in 2021, Ty Madden could easily start the season at West Michigan. The Whitecaps have the potential to be one of the best ones we have seen in sometime (hint: article coming up soon) with Madden, Wilmer Flores and 2021 5th round pick Dylan Smith.

If Madden can make quick work of High-A, a call up to Erie by the end of the summer is totally possible. He carries a big arm and with Chris Fetter and the new development staff in place, Madden could live up to “the steal of the draft label.”