Tigers’ Triple Crown-winning prospect named biggest early riser by Baseball America

Josue Briceño is making himself impossible to ignore. The 20-year-old Detroit Tigers prospect has rocketed up national rankings, and has recently found his name among the list of Baseball America’s “biggest early riser” in their latest prospect update — and for good reason. Briceño has been doing things rarely seen in professional baseball at his level.

Currently suiting up for High-A West Michigan, Briceño is slashing .265/.396/.605 with a scorching 1.001 OPS, 13 home runs, and 41 RBIs through his first 41 games. Production that comes on the heels of a historic performance last fall, where Briceño etched his name into the record books by becoming the first player in Arizona Fall League history to win the Triple Crown.

His final line — .433 batting average, 10 home runs, and 31 RBI — was good enough to lead the league in all three categories, and also earn him the prestigious 2024 Joe Black MVP Award.

Josue Briceño's dominance continues as Tigers prospect climbs rankings

It was quite a statement from a player who had quietly been working his way back from injury and repositioning his future. Once considered a pure catching prospect, the Tigers have started managing Briceño’s defensive workload carefully. He’s now splitting time between first base and designated hitter, giving his bat a more consistent opportunity to shine while Detroit’s player development staff evaluates whether he can truly remain behind the plate long term. Though his skill as a defender is still in question, some scouts have projected a full-time move to first base, where his offensive ceiling more than justifies the switch.

However, at the plate? Briceño is becoming one of the most potent hitters in the entire system.

Baseball America’s Jesús Cano recently noted that Briceño has made “key swing adjustments that are now translating into more consistent airborne contact,” helping him reach a 173 wRC+ through 42 games. Those mechanical refinements, combined with a strong approach and elite contact skills, have scouts buzzing that he may already be ready for the upper minors.

He’s also delivering signature moments. On May 30, Briceño launched three home runs in a game against Dayton — and he also stole home, becoming the first known minor leaguer to do so in a three-homer performance since at least 2005, and matching a feat last seen in the majors in 1901.

Currently ranked as the Tigers’ No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline and drawing national attention, Briceño is becoming a cornerstone name in a Detroit farm system that has steadily climbed the baseball’s rankings.