Tigers sign undrafted outfielder who fits perfectly into Scott Harris’ usual MO

Scott Harris keeps a closer eye on independent leagues than a lot of major league executives. Last year, he signed pitcher Kenny Serwa, who went viral for his 88 MPH knuckleball, to a minor league deal; this year, Detroit native Jalen Evans got a feel-good shot with his hometown team after bouncing between a few independent leagues.

Undrafted outfielder Caleb Shpur is the latest in a growing list. The Tigers signed him to a minor league deal on Tuesday and assigned him to Single-A Lakeland.

Shpur, 24, played six years of collegiate baseball, four at Endicott University (Division III) and two at the University of Connecticut (Division I). His 2025 season with the Huskies included an impressive run — a 12-game hitting streak with 27 hits overall, 14 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. He also had a 7-for-7 day at the plate during that span.

The Tigers have nothing to lose by giving a few guys a shot, and Shpur already has a healthy amount of experience in higher-level baseball. We shouldn't burden them with any expectation that they'll turn into low-risk, high-reward miracles, but we'll happily root for them as they try to beat the odds.

Tigers sign undrafted outfielder Caleb Shpur to a minor league deal

Outside of that nice final season at UConn, Shpur fits into Harris' preferred mold well in that he gets on base. A lot. He posted a .432 OBP through his college career. He profiles a bit like Tigers' first-round pick Jordan Yost, who struck out just one time through 35 games in his last amateur season as a high school senior.

Again, these are harmless, low-level risks that no one can fault the Tigers for making. Serwa has worked his way up the Tigers' minor league levels steadily since last year, and despite three pretty awful starts to begin his year in Double-A Erie, the Tigers saw enough potential to send him to the Arizona Fall League last year.

Evans, who just debuted in High-A West Michigan, has also had a rocky start (8.53 ERA in 6 1/3 innings pitched), but seems to have some legitimate strikeout stuff when he's right.

It'll be easy to lose track of these guys until one of them makes enough noise it demands fans' attention, but you never know. One of them could very well pop up toward the bottom of the Tigers' pipeline within the next few years and offer Harris a little vindication.

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