On this week's "Tigers Tales", preseason rankings favor a certain Tigers prospect and the power of Kerry Carpenter and Detroit continues to stockpile Triple-A depth. 

On Tuesday, the Tigers brought back left-hander Bryan Sammons to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. Sammons pitched in Japan in 2025 for Chiba Lotte, posting an ERA of 3.78. The Tigers continue to stockpile arms and could use another veteran starter but for now, Detroit is content on building up more depth to chose from.

Sammons pitched 27 innings for the Tigers in 2024, posting a 3.62 ERA. Primarily a groundball pitcher, he could be deployed late in games as a situational left-hander, depending on the defensive alignment behind him.

The top two shortstops in the minor leagues are really familiar with each other.  Konnor Griffin of the Pirates and Kevin McGonigle faced off in the Eastern League playoffs with McGonigle's SeaWolves winning the series but both shortstops both put together impressive seasons in 2024 that have them both ranked 1 and 2 on Baseball America's Top 25 MLB Shortstop Prospect List ($)

McGonigle’s hit tool grades higher, an 80 compared to Griffin’s 60, though both are viewed as capable of making an impact at the major league level. Depending on where the Tigers assign McGonigle to begin the season, he could emerge as a candidate for American League Rookie of the Year.

With roughly a month remaining before spring training, the Tigers are not expected to add another bat, a decision that could give McGonigle a legitimate chance to make the Opening Day roster. Still, Detroit has historically taken a conservative approach with promotions, meaning McGonigle may need a standout spring to force the organization’s hand.

Kerry Carpenter landed at No. 94 on MLB’s Top 100 players list, a recognition of the offensive impact he delivered in 2025 and his growing role within Detroit’s lineup. Carpenter continued to establish himself as one of the Tigers’ most dependable power threats, pairing extra-base production with a more refined approach at the plate and the ability to alter games with one swing.

Looking ahead to 2026, Carpenter is expected to remain a central piece of Detroit’s lineup construction. He profiles most naturally in a run-producing role, offering protection for the hitters ahead of him while capitalizing on traffic created near the top of the order. His presence allows the Tigers to balance left- and right-handed bats, reducing the need to overload the lineup with platoon specialists and giving the coaching staff greater flexibility on a day-to-day basis.

Continued health and incremental gains in consistency, particularly against left-handed pitching  could further solidify Carpenter’s role as an everyday fixture rather than a matchup-dependent option. If that progression continues, his Top 100 recognition may represent a baseline expectation rather than a ceiling, positioning Carpenter as a key offensive anchor as Detroit shapes its lineup for sustained contention.

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