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Detroit Tigers: 5 prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft you need to know about

Here's 5 prospects for Detroit Tigers fans to follow next spring.

By Tyler Kotila |
Former Sinton baseball player Blake Mitchell's MLB draft party on Sunday, July 9, 2023, in Sinton,
Former Sinton baseball player Blake Mitchell's MLB draft party on Sunday, July 9, 2023, in Sinton, / Angela Piazza/Caller-Times / USA TODAY
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Giving the Detroit Tigers faithful a few names to watch.

The Detroit Tigers offseason is not going to be super eventful. There's not much expectation that they will go out and sign some big-name player or even make a ton of moves. If they do, it'll be the lower- to mid-tier changes that will keep the team afloat as they continue the rebuild.

It may not be the news the Detroit Tigers faithful want to hear, but it's just the way that the Tigers will continue operating for the time being. That being said, one of the big things for Tigers fans to look forward to this off-season is their draft lottery standing.

It's way too early to dive into draft guys with real in-depth stuff, but the Tigers will likely end up with another front end draft pickwill. They are slated to pick 11th, but with the institution of the MLB Draft Lottery, the Tigers could possibly be moving up, as they did in 2023.

The Tigers will have an excellent chance to add a solid talent once again. It is too early to tell what things might look like at the top. But with the early makeup of the draft board being there, it's interesting to see what may come of it come June 2024.

However, it's never too early to start looking at the talent on the draft board. That being said, let's dive into some names that everyone needs to know heading into 2024. Whether it's on the prep side or college side, these are five names that you need to monitor heading into 2024.

The Tigers may not end up in a spot to draft all of these players, but these five players will be really talented players and coveted players on many draft boards come June 2024.

Konnor Griffin, OF/RHH - Jackson Prep (Miss.)

Perhaps the player who has been at the top of the rankings for a long time, Konnor Griffin, will garner top-five attention. He's been someone that has had eyes on him at the national level for quite some time. The Mississippi native has been a really impressive prospect, even since he was a youngster.

As a 14-year-old, he was throwing 92 mph from the outfield and showing off the real impressive bat that he has—also being a dominant right-handed arm on the mound. Now, heading into his senior year for prep ball, the LSU commit is extremely unlikely to make it to campus.

He's one of the most toolsed-up players in the entire class, if not the most toolsed-up player. He's 6-foot-4, 210 pounds with an uber-athletic frame and strength throughout, making him a real problem. While he's a two-way right now, the long-term expectation is that he uses that bat to make his money.

He's a real high-ceiling player and could be an extremely beneficial addition to a pro organization like the Tigers if he is able to reach his full potential. Griffin has been highly touted for years, and if the Tigers were to move up in the Draft Lottery, taking a shot at Griffin hoping to develop him would be an exceptional get.

Sure, adding another outfielder may be concerning, with Riley Greene and Max Clark being first-rounders of recent years, but the tools and upside that Griffin brings to the table will be really hard to pass up.

Griffin's spring could really make him some money in the draft if he goes out and cements that he is the top prep player in the draft class. He's someone that folks should keep an eye on as he goes through his final spring of prep ball.

Hunter Carns, C/RHH - First Coast (Fla.)

Regarding the prep scene, one of the biggest risers on most draft boards this fall should be Hunter Carns. He may not skyrocket, but after his performance in Jupiter at the Perfect Game WWBA World Championships, it's going to be hard not to make a case for a player of his caliber.

I've seen Carns since the 2021 PG circuit, and he was playing up in 17u and 18u, finding ways to barrel balls up, competing against high-level talent from older age groups. He was more scrawny and lanky at the time and has since filled out the 6-foot, 195-pound frame, showing more strength and plenty of athleticism for a backstop.

He's currently listed as a catcher but could very well be transitioned to outfield. Some scouts have concerns about his ability to stick behind the plate, but right now, are concerned that he can be a backstop. He has traits similar to that of Kyle Teel, who was one of the premier options behind the dish in the 2023 MLB Draft who moved up draft boards quickly.

Carns is a prep backstop, though. He's committed to Florida State, and while many teams like to let players age a bit and develop in the collegiate game, Carns might be someone who catches the eyes of a team.

At Jupiter, Carns hit a ball 115 mph and had several home runs, looking the part in the batters' box. It may be a swing that is not as attractive as some, but he's able to do some serious damage. The results speak for themselves, and it's hard not to fall in love with Carns with the success that he has.

Carns made a bit of a statement this fall and deserves some credit for his performance. While he's committed to FSU, there's a decent chance he will end up in pro ball next summer after the draft. He's someone to monitor moving forward for sure.

Brody Brecht, RHP - Iowa

Another name that might not be a shock to many is Brody Brecht, a noted Iowa wide receiver. Jokes aside, the kid throws 100 mph, and it's the smart move to put down the football helmet to focus on baseball. It was interesting to me that he did not enter the portal and end up at some big-time SEC school after last year, but he's a Hawkeye, through and through.

There was a ton of buzz around Brecht last year after he really started to emerge as a prospect; he was throwing 100 mph and having some success as a starter. He's a 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-handed pitcher that will be impressive in the long run.

Last season, Brecht made 16 starts with one relief appearance. He threw 77.0 innings overall with a 3.74 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. The Hawkeyes starter had 61 walks and 109 strikeouts in 2023. The BB: K ratio has been the biggest knock on Brecht.

He throws 100 mph and will get plenty of attention, but he could fall in the draft rankings depending on how this Spring goes. He's got some issues with the strike zone. Working around the zone rather than in the zone is one of the issues he has.

Finding a way to be more consistent with his location and be able to attack hitters in the zone will be a gateway to him making more money in the draft. If Brecht can locate better in 2024 for the Hawkeyes, it could elevate him on draft boards.

Brecht is someone I plan to see this Spring, so look for him to throw more strikes for the Hawkeyes and be a solid option once again for Iowa.

Caleb Bonemer, SS/RHH - Okemos (Mich.)

Another prep standout that caught my eye on the PG circuit is Caleb Bonemer. He's a prep shortstop from out near Lansing, Mich., who has a really interesting makeup. He's a 6-foot-1, 195-pound right-handed hitter with a ton to like about the operation in the batters' box.

From the beginning of 2023 to the end, he was real fun in my looks. To start the year in Fort Myers for The MLK Championship run by Perfect Game, Bonemer was impressive, handling the bat well with some loud results and the ability to work on the barrel.

He's got speed and athleticism to pair with strength and the ability to leverage in the batter's box. He's a shortstop with a bit of a power component to the swing. In my looks, he's on the barrel often and has bat-to-ball that would excite most.

He may not be at the very top of his class, but the Virginia commit has a real toolsy profile overall. If he can come out and show off the power in the Spring, teams will bite. The long-term is exciting.

A prep shortstop who can hit for power, who has a high ceiling, and possesses athleticism? Someone will want to take a chance. For the Tigers, why not consider dipping into the backyard to try and land someone local?

It would depend on the draft board and how strongly the Tigers feel about Bonemer at their respective pick, but it could be interesting once the draft order is set and the spring comes and goes. Keep an eye on Bonemer in Okemos this year.

Drew Rogers, C/RHH - Hamilton (Ariz.)

Maybe it's me, and it's a personal thing. But there's another prep backstop from this class who really caught my eye. Drew Rogers, from Hamilton HS in Arizona, is someone who has been a solid player on the prep circuit.

Regarding draft boards, the Detroit Tigers and others should have him moving upward quickly after his big performance this fall. Rogers was solid at Jupiter and had one of the hardest hit balls I saw, putting one well beyond the left-field fence for a 107 mph bomb. (The homer went 431 feet per Trackman, for what that's worth.)

Rogers is a 6-foot, 215-pound backstop who has skills with the bat. There's plenty of juice and thump off the barrel, plus good makeup behind the dish. He's a game manager and a leader. He can call a game and manage one as well, something that not all catchers these days are able to do.

He had himself a great end of the year on the PG circuit, being named a 2023 PG All-American and then going to Jupiter, where he performed well. He really showed off that pull-side juice and why he might be an intriguing addition to some organizations.

As was mentioned above, some believe that catchers are better off after some seasoning with a collegiate team before being brought in. Rogers is committed to Georgia Tech and may not make it to campus.

If he goes out and has a good fall, it's a no-brainer for him to be moving up big league teams' draft boards even further.

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