Tigers prospect making Arizona Fall League history creates new 2025 discussion

The Arizona Fall League wrapped up on Sunday, with the Salt River Rafters coming away as champions. Although the two Tigers prospects participating in the AFL were representing the Scottsdale Scorpions, who were knocked out by the Rafters in a 13-4 rout on Friday, Thayron Liranzo (No. 6 in Detroit's pipeline) and Josue Briceño (No. 9) were arguably the standouts of the season.

Liranzo came over in the trade for Jack Flaherty at the deadline and hit .375/.492/.667 over 15 AFL games. Briceño was an international free agent signing in 2022 who missed the majority of the 2024 season in Single-A with a knee injury, which definitely doesn't seem to be bothering him anymore. He became the first player in AFL history to win the Triple Crown, with a .433 average, 10 homers, and 27 RBI in 25 games.

He was named the Joe Black MVP for his efforts, joining a list that includes Ronald Acuña Jr., Nolan Arenado, Royce Lewis, and Heston Kjerstad.

Both Liranzo and Briceño represented the American League in the AFL Fall Stars Game, with Briceño as the starting DH and Liranzo as the game's hero; he hit a go-ahead homer in the top of the ninth that eventually won the game for the AL.

Top Tigers prospect Josue Briceño becomes first AFL Triple Crown winner in baseball history

Briceño, a catcher and first baseman, may not get much time behind the plate as he ascends through the minors because of his knee injury, but he's ranked most highly for his power and has made it clear that he has a lot of potential still waiting to be untapped there.

He's not expected to land in the majors until 2027, but if he can keep hitting at this level through High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A, it'll be pretty clear that the Tigers have a first baseman of the future on their hands. If Spencer Torkelson even makes it that long on the roster, he'll have obvious, heavy competition in Briceño, but this could also incentivize the Tigers to trade Torkelson this offseason and turn their attention to an interim first baseman on one of those short-term deals that the front office is so fond of.

Briceño still has a long way to go until he gets to the majors, but he put himself fully on fans' radars and will be one to watch come 2025. And he could alter the discussion rather quickly.