Tigers prospect writer projects future of Detroit's infield as questions swirl

The present and future of the Detroit Tigers' infield is one of the central questions that must be answered this offseason. One piece of the 2026 puzzle is already in place with Gleyber Torres taking advantage of the qualifying offer, but questions still remain.

Scott Harris has made it clear that the club's top prospects will factor into the 2026 plan, and many of those talented youngsters reside in the infield. Top prospect Kevin McGonigle is the name on everyone's minds, but as McGonigle has lit up the Arizona Fall League, his teammate Max Anderson has matched him stride for stride. Both could solve needs in 2026, but even if they don't, they're large cogs in Detroit's future.

That begs the question of what the infield will eventually look like. None of these pieces are that far away, and Baseball America's Tigers prospect writer Emily Waldon has given us a preview of what's to come.

Emily Waldon hints at the future of the Tigers' infield, drawing many questions about what's to come

Waldon's projections come from what she's gleaned from conversations with scouts, and she's projecting the future of three positions to be filled by Tigers youth. That would look like McGonigle at second, Anderson at third, and the club's third-ranked prospect, Josue Briceño, at first.

First, let's address the obvious. No Spencer Torkelson. The former first overall pick seemed to be on the outs last winter, before rejuvenating his stock with a bounce-back 2025. Torkelson has alternated between disappointing in even years and showing promise in odd years through his first four big league seasons. Does that mean he'll disappoint again in 2026?

Briceño had a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde 2025. The 21-year-old catcher likely ends up at first base, and dominated with the bat during the first half of the season at High-A West Michigan. There, he slashed .296/.422/.602 with 15 homers in 55 games. His next 45 contests came at Double-A Erie, where he managed just five homers and posted a .232/.335/.381 line. There might be some more seasoning needed for him next season, but it's clear he's coming for Torkelson's job.

McGonigle eventually winding up at second makes sense. There aren't many flaws in his game, but scouts do question his ability to stick at shortstop long term. That doesn't mean he can't play there in 2026, before shifting to the keystone in 2027 to make this Gleyber Torres reunion short-lived. At that point, did it even make sense to stick him with a $22 million one-year payday?

Anderson at third also says something. He's Detroit's No. 9 prospect, outranked by fellow 2B/3B Hao-Yu Lee (No. 6), but would indicate the Tigers prefer Anderson. Lee got the head start at Triple-A, spending the entire season in Toledo, and though Anderson joined later, he was neck and neck with Lee offensively posting a .749 OPS to Lee's .748 mark. Waldon indicates the Tigers like Anderson's glove more, so that might be the deciding factor.

The question, of course, would be when Anderson assumes the mantle of starting third baseman? The Tigers' motley crew at the hot corner posted a collective .628 OPS in 2025. Anderson could be one of the players Harris referred to as part of the 2026 plan, and his inclusion would mean no do-over to try and woo Alex Bregman to Detroit.

This also seems to squeeze Colt Keith out of the future plans. Keith's extension locks him up through 2029 at a reasonable price, and the Tigers can extend their hold over him for three additional seasons by exercising their three club options, which tally up to an additional $38 million. The likely outcome is that he hits the trade block if the Tigers believe more in these up-and-coming players.

Shortstop long-term is a question mark. Does that ultimately go to 20-year-old Bryce Rainer, who needs to heal up and is a good deal behind the other top prospects? Does it mean the Tigers take the money they earmarked for Bregman a year ago and make a big splash for Corey Seager on the trade market? Is a more modest veteran like Ha-Seong Kim a potential target to hold down the fort for a couple of years until Rainer is ready?

All that we do know is that the future is tantalizing, the questions are overwhelming, and the rest of the moves made this winter will give us greater insight into what the future holds.