3 Tigers starting pitchers who will begin the 2024 season in Triple-A and 2 who won't

Detroit Tigers RHP Wilmer Flores will begin 2024 in Triple-A

The Detroit Tigers have placed a lot of stake in Wilmer Flores, a former Arizona Western College right-hander who was signed as an undrafted free agent. The former JuCo bandit has made some strides in his development, catapulting him into the top echelon of Tigers prospects.

He's viewed as one of the better arms within the franchise by most, at least on the prospect side of things. The 22-year-old right-hander hopes to keep plugging along on his road to Detroit to join the Tigers one day soon. The issue is the logjam of pitchers, which is a good thing really, may keep him in the minors.

Flores still has some developing to do, having never pitched in Triple-A before. But, after Spring Training, Flores has a chance to make the jump to Triple-A after finishing the season with Double-A Erie in 2023. His summer spanned between High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie.

Flores made just three starts with High-A West Michigan before being bumped to Double-A Erie, where he made 18 starts, accumulating 89.0 innings overall over his 21 appearances within the organization. He managed a 4.65 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP, and had 33 walks to 90 strikeouts between the two affiliates.

While Flores has some work to do, he will get the chance to do so with the team's Triple-A affiliate, knocking down another door on his road to Detroit. Flores has to prove himself at the next level but needs to continue to make strides and develop his stuff further. Some time with the Mud Hens will allow them to do so.

Detroit selected him for the 40-man roster, so he is a step closer to being in Detroit, as he was added to the 40-man roster to avoid any Rule 5 poaching. But, in 2024, expect Flores to start in Triple-A with the Mud Hens.