The Tigers have infused their farm system with a whole lot of new talent in recent weeks.
As a result, prospect experts have taken notice and given the organization high marks in their latest organizational rankings. MLB Pipeline came out with its latest minor-league refresh rankings Thursday, and it has Detroit fifth in baseball in what it calls "prospect points."
The Tigers, per MLB Pipeline, trail only the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and San Francisco Giants in prospect points. That's in large part because the Tigers now have five top-100 prospects, in Pipeline's view.
One of those prospects remains in prospect status, though how long center fielder Max Clark retains that remains to be seen. Clark was promoted by the Tigers late last month, and appears to be sticking in The Show. For now, Clark is the highest-ranked prospect in the Tigers system followed by outfielder Zyhir Hope (28), shortstop Bryce Rainer (48), right-handed pitcher River Ryan (66) and catcher/first baseman Josue Briceno (69).
Three teams have six players in baseball's top 100, the Dodgers, Miami Marlins and Mariners. The Tigers are tied with the Rays, Giants and Milwaukee Brewers with five.
MLB Pipeline's August reshuffle rankings come after the July draft and the Aug. 4 trade deadline.
The Tigers' top draft pick, right-hander Cameron Flukey, didn't not make the top 100.
Who are the Tigers' top 10 prospects?
Here are the Tigers' top 10 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline:
- 1. Max Clark, CF (Tigers)
- 2. Zyhir Hope, OF (Double A)
- 3. Bryce Rainer, SS (High A)
- 4. River Ryan, RHP (Triple A)
- 5. Josue Briceno, C/1B (Triple A)
- 6. Cameron Flukey, RHP (Low A)
- 7. Ben Jacobs, LHP (High A)
- 8. Kash Mayfield, LHP (High A)
- 9. Jordan Yost, SS (Low A)
- 10. Brady Smith, RHP (High A)
Half of the Tigers' top-10 list joined the organization over the last month, including Flukey, as well as Hope, Ryan and Smith (in the Tarik Skubal trade with the Dodgers) and Mayfield (in the Casey Mize traded with the San Diego Padres).
The Tigers' top preseason prospect has graduated off MLB Pipeline's list, and with honors. Shortstop Kevin McGonigle is the favorite for American League rookie of the year.
tpaul@detroitnews.com
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Only three MLB teams have more top-100 prospects than Tigers: Pipeline