Breakout Tigers prospect from Jack Flaherty trade continues dominant run in AFL

When the Detroit Tigers traded Jack Flaherty to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the deadline this year, the reactions to the deal were understandably mixed. The Tigers parted with the top starting pitcher available on the trade market for a borderline top-100 catching prospect and an underperforming, 24-year old Triple-A shortstop; it was bound to raise some eyebrows.

Months later, a little revisionist history tells us that this trade turned out to be far more mutually beneficial than it originally appeared. While Flaherty helped stabilize the Dodgers' rotation en route to a World Series appearance, the Tigers got two key building blocks for their future.

One of those pieces, shortstop Trey Sweeney, became a contributor to the Tigers' late-season surge and eventual playoff run. The other, catcher Thayron Liranzo, tore it up for High-A West Michigan after the trade, and he's not showing any signs of slowing down at the Arizona Fall League.

Breakout Tigers prospect from Jack Flaherty trade continues dominant run in AFL

After a breakout 2023 season in which he slashed .315/.470/.562 with five homers in 26 games for High-A West Michigan after being traded, Liranzo has been leading the charge for the Tigers' contingent at the AFL. The switch-hitting backstop is slashing an impressive .421/.500/.789 through five games for the Scottsdale Scorpions, and he ranks fourth among all AFL hitters with a 1.289 OPS.

Liranzo, the Tigers' No. 6 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is joined on the Scorpions' roster by fellow Tigers prospect Josue Briceño (No. 9). The 20-year-old Briceño, who spent the 2024 season with Single-A Lakeland, is pacing all AFL hitters with a .469 batting average and a 1.514 OPS.

As Detroit looks to continue betting on promising young talent, Liranzo – and now, potentially, Briceño – are emerging as key fixtures for the club moving forward. If the Tigers' competitive window burst open during the 2024 season, they will undoubtedly be looking to make more consistent postseason runs in the near future. If Liranzo's early returns are any indication, the Tigers could be well on their way toward sustained success.

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