Tigers top prospect fans have been waiting to see just made his long-awaited return

The Detroit Tigers are trying to claw back into the playoff picture at the big league level, but they just got some really promising news from the minor leagues. Josue Briceño, one of the top prospects in the organization, has made his long-awaited return from injury.

Briceño injured his wrist back in spring training and had to go undergo surgery, which has kept him out up until this point. He’s seen as the No. 3 prospect in Detroit’s system and is viewed by MLB Pipeline as the No. 60 prospect in all of MLB.

He’s just 21 years old but he’s already impressed down in the minors. Last season, he hit .266/.383/.500 with 20 home runs and 76 RBI. He also drew 66 walks while striking out 87 times.

Briceño has only played in three games so far since his return from injury and has two hits in nine at-bats, but of course one of those hits was a home run. It looks like he may be picking up where he left off.

The Venezuela native is a catcher but is not exactly known for his defense. He may be better suited to play first base or serve as a designated hitter at the big league level because his power is his most valuable trait.

Briceño's pop should be his ticket to the big leagues

The expectation is that he could make an impact at the big league level as soon as next year. He should be back with the Double-A team soon, and if he hits well the rest of this season there could be a chance he makes the team out of spring training next year. The Tigers weren’t afraid to have Kevin McGonigle jump straight from Double-A to the big leagues without any time spent in Toledo, so perhaps Briceño could follow a similar path.

The Tigers are already pretty set at catcher right now thanks to Dillon Dingler, who is having a breakout season. Briceño is not good enough to unseat him behind the plate, so maybe he could be a backup or even emergency option at catcher.

Some even view him as a potential replacement for first baseman Spencer Torkelson. The former No. 1 overall pick has had a bit of an up and down season. If the Tigers decide to trade him or use him and Briceño interchangeably at first base and the DH spot in the lineup, the arrangement could work.

No matter what, it’s just good to have the young slugger back and healthy. The Tigers can afford to be patient with him, but if he lives up to his power potential in the minors, he is going to get promoted sooner than later.

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