Tigers top prospects making early impact in spring training breathes life into Scott Harris' plan

The Tigers made a grand total of zero additions to their offense this offseason, but that rather unsavory fact sort of got lost underneath the glamour of Framber Valdez and then Justin Verlander's signing.

Scott Harris has pled patience and has vowed improvements from the young offensive core: Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, Kerry Carpenter. Tigers fans know and love those guys. We know what to expect. We, too, have high hopes that they'll continue to make strides, but there's not a lot of excitement in a same-look lineup.

But spring training has offered some first looks at the only semblance of lineup reinforcements we might see this year: top prospects. And those top prospects are looking pretty impressive just two games in.

Kevin McGonigle announced himself in his very first spring training at-bat, when he hit a laser off of Yankees pitcher Carlos Legrange for a single. It left the bat at 104.5 MPH. The Tigers went on to get absolutely demolished — 20-3 — but they recovered some of their pride against the Orioles the next day, when Max Anderson singled with the bases loaded to score two, and then Max Clark hit a clutch RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to let the Tigers get away with a tie.

Top Tigers prospects Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark, Max Anderson are already making an impression in spring training

McGonigle and Anderson are candidates to make the Opening Day roster, though Anderson probably has the better chance, having already spent 32 games in Triple-A to McGonigle's zero. Despite McGonigle's No. 2 prospect sheen and 2025 Arizona Fall League MVP status, Anderson was arguably better (though he played in fewer games). They might be competing for the same roster spot behind Colt Keith at third base.

There's less rush on Clark or No. 4 prospect Josue Briceño, who's also in major league camp and hit a bomb off of Tarik Skubal in live batting practice last week, but there's a distinct chance that Clark ends up in the majors at some point later this season, especially if he earns a promotion to Triple-A straight out of camp.

McGonigle, Clark, and Anderson are proving Harris' point (something that we're always very begrudging to admit). Drafting well and developing smartly might take a lot longer than fans want it to, but it can pay off. Is it enough to win a championship? We might get an answer this year.