3 overlooked breakout Tigers prospects who could make a spring training statement

With spring training right around the corner, the Detroit Tigers just announced their non-roster invitees. Unsurprisingly, a lot of prospects will be in camp, but three guys who are easy to overlook could end up making the biggest statement.

3 Detroit Tigers prospects who could make a big statement in spring training

Ty Madden

It is easy to forget that right-handed pitcher Ty Madden is still technically considered a prospect after he made his big league debut in 2024. The 25-year-old pitched to a 4.30 ERA in 23 innings and seemed like he could be a promising arm going forward.

Unfortunately, Madden suffered a rotator cuff strain in spring training last year which prevented him from pitching at all.

He is now looking to come back and reassert himself as a young arm who could be part of the future in Detroit. His 7.97 ERA in Triple-A back in 2024 certainly makes one think he could benefit from some time in the minors before rejoining the Tigers' big league roster, but his high strikeout rate makes it hard not to get excited about his potential.

John Peck

Drafted out of Pepperdine in 2023, John Peck is a young infielder who can take a big step forward this season. Last season across two levels, Peck slashed .301/.359/.433 with 11 home runs and 69 runs batted in.

He's more of a contact-oriented hitter who can take the ball the other way, and there's nothing that makes a hitting coach salivate more than a young hitter with an opposite-field approach. Don't be surprised if Peck impresses some people in spring training.

Jake Miller

Left-handed pitcher Jake Miller was drafted back in 2022 and is the No. 19 ranked prospect in Detroit's system. He made just six appearances in the minors last season but looked good despite the small sample size — a 1.80 ERA in six starts (20 innings pitched).

2024 was a strong season as well. He had a 1.85 ERA in 87 innings pitched with 104 strikeouts. The Tigers are still holding out hope that he could develop into a starter, but he would definitely have a more immediate impact if Detroit converted him into a reliever.

If he impresses in spring training, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Tigers try to move him through the minors a little bit quicker.

Spring training is the time for prospects to shine, and while these three players are not seen as elite talents, they have a chance to make a statement in Florida.