While all the eyes and ears of all Detroit Tigers baseball fans are focused on the ALDS as the Tigers look to go up two games to zero with Tarik Skubal taking the mound, meanwhile, in Scottsdale, Arizona, Lakeland Flying Tigers René Rivera, fresh off a Florida State League title, gets his squad ready.
The Scropions, who will features prospects from the Astros, Mats, Nationals and Giants in addition to the Tigers pitchers and positional players chosen by the organization, will have a different look and feel to the roster compared to 2024. Last season, a pair of Tigers catchers made a lot of noise. Josue Briceno took home the Triple Crown award for his performance and Thayron Liranzo won Arizona Fall League All-Star MVP.
The Arizona Fall League represents a lot for a prospect. It is viewed in some ways, as a finishing school as they get closer to the major leagues or sometimes, as a showcase for other teams that may be interested in a trade. Let's do a quick breakdown of the players who will be representing the Old English D in Arizona.
Pitchers:
RHP Kenny Serwa: In his first season in the Tigers’ system, 28-year-old knuckleballer Serwa impressed after being signed out of independent ball. Detroit took several flyers on pitchers who were either undrafted or came from the indie leagues, and Serwa helped stabilize the starting rotations at both West Michigan and Erie. He logged 118 innings, allowed just 100 hits, and finished with a 3.58 ERA.
While not overpowering, Serwa’s command and ability to generate weak contact made him a reliable presence every fifth day. His consistency provided valuable depth to a pitching pipeline that continues to evolve under Detroit’s development staff.
LHP Jake Miller:
One has to wonder how Jake Miller’s season might have looked had he not missed four months with back issues. The Tigers are short on left-handed pitching depth, and after dominating across three levels in 2024—including a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League—Miller appeared poised to take the next step in Double-A Erie.
Instead, the 25-year-old southpaw focused on regaining form and building innings after the long layoff. When healthy, Miller’s fastball sits in the low 90s with late life, complemented by a tight breaking ball that misses bats from both sides. His feel for sequencing and ability to attack the zone give him the foundation to remain a back end of the rotation candiate or a reliever.
RHP Dariel Fregio Carlos Lequerica
Right-handers Dariel Fregio and Carlos Lequerica spent much of the season with High-A West Michigan, giving the Tigers’ player development staff a longer look at both arms. Each showed flashes of potential, though consistency remains the key as they continue to refine their command and secondary offerings.
Fregio, 22, features a lively fastball that can touch the mid-90s and pairs it with a developing slider. Lequerica, 23, relies more on pitchability and sequencing, using a balanced mix of fastballs and offspeed pitches to generate weak contact. The extended stint in West Michigan allowed both to adjust to more advanced hitters and gain valuable experience for future assignments.
Infielders
2B Max Anderson, SS Kevin McGonigle, INF Jack Penney
Second baseman Max Anderson, shortstop Kevin McGonigle, and infielder Jack Penney each played key roles in shaping the Tigers’ infield outlook this season. Anderson, a 2023 draft pick out of Nebraska, broke out in 2025 with consistent offensive production and improved defensive work, positioning himself for a potential showcase opportunity next spring.
His emergence gives Detroit another internal option as the organization evaluates Hao-Yu Lee’s fit and weighs whether to extend an offer to Gleyber Torres. Anderson projects to open 2026 in Triple-A Toledo again but could earn an early-season call-up if the big-league roster opens a path or could be traded.
McGonigle, one of the Tigers’ most advanced young hitters, could see time at third base in Scottsdale, a move that could accelerate his route to the majors if second base remains occupied. His elite contact skills and patient approach continue to separate him from most teenage prospects. If his defensive versatility holds, McGonigle could push for a major-league debut out of spring training. The defensive reps will help as at times, he struggled at short but he is still a solid fielder but his range could be better suited for second.
Penney, meanwhile, missed a portion of the season due to injury but remains an intriguing infield depth piece. The former Notre Dame standout shows strong defensive instincts and a line-drive swing that could translate well with more consistent at-bats. He’s expected to begin 2026 at High-A West Michigan or Double-A Erie, depending on his health, and remains a name to watch as a potential utility option down the road.
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