There’s still reason to believe this fallen Tigers prospect can redeem himself in 2026

Heading into 2025, Thayron Liranzo was among Detroit's most exciting young players. He was ranked the No. 69 prospect in baseball by Baseball America and No. 4 in the Tigers' system. Scouts lauded his power and arm, and he seemed like a switch-hitting slugger that could play a premium defensive position.

Unfortunately, Liranzo went on to hit the first major obstacle of his burgeoning professional career. After posting a 133 wRC+ across 100 minor-league games in 2024, he managed just a 97 wRC+ across 88 games in Double-A in 2025.

On the bright side, according to some experts, these early challenges are just a bump in the road for what still may be a promising career for Liranzo.

Baseball America labeled Liranzo as one of 15 MLB prospects that could bounce back in 2026

In a recent article listing young players that could return to form next season, Jesús Cano of Baseball America (subscription required) mentioned Liranzo as a prime candidate.

Cano indicated that Liranzo being added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft was a sign that the Tigers still believed he could add value but there were key changes that needed to be made.

"Mechanically, some factors contributed to the struggles, as Liranzo often gets too steep in his swing and struggles with timing. But the numbers also come with context. As a catcher, he’s learning a new pitching staff while also balancing the demands of being a switch-hitter. With a full year now behind him in the Tigers’ system, there’s reason to believe he could translate that experience into improved performance in 2026."

Jesús Cano

Catcher is one of the most demanding positions in baseball, both physically and mentally. As mentioned by Cano, the cognitive load of having to call a ballgame and learn the tendencies of an ever-changing pitching staff creates difficulties on the road to the show. Although he has five minor league seasons under his belt, Liranzo is still just 22 years old, giving him plenty of runway to continue ironing out his game.

Liranzo is hardly the only player in Detroit's system that has to make a statement this spring but depending on the results of this inflection point, it could drive further commentary about the future of the Tigers' talent pipeline.

It has already been noted that there's quite a gap between the organization's top prospects and the rest of their minor leaguers. Once the top names like Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark inevitably graduate, will there be any names to take their place?

Liranzo certainly could fill that void and luckily, the sentiment behind him remains optimistic. More data from spring training and another full season in the minors should, if nothing else, add clarity on his future with Detroit. He may not return to the same peak in pedigree but he still has a path to the big leagues if he plays his cards right.