Tigers reach for high school shortstop after dominant 2025 MLB Draft combine

The Detroit Tigers took a big reach with the 24th pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, selecting shortstop Jordan Yost out of Sickles High School in Tampa, Fla.

Ranked the No. 50 prospect in this year's draft class by MLB Pipeline, Yost is a late bloomer who recently skyrocketed up draft board after a standout performance at last month's MLB Draft Combine. Prior to this spring, Yost projected as a third-round pick at best.

He may not have the highest long-term power potential, but Yost's contact and speed are his greatest selling points. He posted a .412 batting average in his senior season to go with four home runs, 26 RBI and 28 stolen bases as Sickles finished the year with a 25-11 record.

A left-handed hitter, Yost his more for contact than for power. He is praised for his speed on the base paths and his high baseball IQ. Defensively, he isn't the flashiest shortstop, but he has good hands and a solid arm.

Tigers reach for high school shortstop Jordan Yost after dominant 2025 MLB Draft combine

Yost is committed to play college ball at the University of Florida – where his older brother, Hayden, plays – but the No. 24 pick comes with a recommended bonus slot value of $3,726,300, which could be enough to sway him to forgo his commitment and sign with the Tigers.

On the surface, taking a high school prospect in the first round may not make much sense for a Tigers team whose championship window is just opening, but Yost is a highly projectable athlete with everyday upside at the pro level.

Yost is the third first-round pick selected by Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris, all of whom have been high school prospects. In 2023, Harris selected prep outfielder Max Clark third overall from Franklin Community High School in Indiana. In 2024, he selected prep shortstop Bryce Rainier at No. 11 overall from Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. Clark and Rainer are currently ranked as the Tigers' No. 2 and No. 3 prospects, respectively, by MLB Pipeline.

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