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Tigers sign first-round pick and sneak in a budget-friendly win

First-round pick signs and Tigers pull off quiet money play
ByJordan Campbell|
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, left, talks to president of baseball operation Scott Harris, center, and team owner Chris Ilitch during spring training at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, left, talks to president of baseball operation Scott Harris, center, and team owner Chris Ilitch during spring training at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The surprise of the Detroit Tigers taking Jordan Yost in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft is starting to settle down, and on Friday, Yost officially became a member of the Tigers' organization. Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline was the first to report that Yost has signed his contract with the Tigers. In an added win for the Tigers, Yost's deal was under slot value.

Immediately after the Tigers selected Yost in the first round last Sunday, there was a fear that the young shortstop might pass on starting his professional career, with the idea being that he would play alongside his brother with the Florida Gators. Given that possibility, it's a win for the Tigers' front office that they were able to get their first-round pick signed so fast.

First-rounder signs under slot and Tigers quietly benefit

With the Tigers having other draft picks who are committed to college teams, they will use the savings to try and convince prospects like River Hamilton and Ethan Rogers to start their professional career now.

While not confirmed, the expectation is that Yost will begin his professional career this season, likely joining the Tigers' low Class-A affiliate in the coming weeks.

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel had the first insight into how Yost slots into the Tigers' current prospect rankings. Upon updating his Top 10 list for each team following the draft, McDaniel has Yost as the Tigers' No. 8 prospect.

Of course, two more prominent shortstop prospects, Kevin McGonigle and Bryce Rainer, are ahead of Yost. Another interesting wrinkle is that McDaniel has Michael Oliveto, the catching prospect selected after Yost, as the No. 7 prospect in the Tigers' system.

With the Tigers being buyers at the trade deadline in the coming weeks, it stands to reason their prospect rankings could quickly reset come August 1. Still, it seems unlikely that McGonigle will be on the move, and Rainer is out for the remainder of the season after shoulder surgery. If nothing else, Yost has time on his side, as that won't be a need for him at the Major League level for quite some time.

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