The Tigers didn’t add Eduardo Valencia to the 40-man roster by accident. In an organization that has become increasingly selective about whom it protects, Valencia represents a calculated bet on offensive upside at a premium position — even if the defensive side of the equation is still being solved.
From a pure bat standpoint, Valencia has given the front office plenty to like. His Baseball Savant profile jumps off the page: a .319 batting average, .399 on-base percentage, and a .303 ISO across the 2025 season, supported by real impact contact. He barreled 19 balls while seeing just 867 pitches, paired with a 90.7 mph average exit velocity and nearly a 49 percent hard-hit rate. Those are not common numbers for a catcher, particularly one still climbing the upper levels of the system.
That offensive profile is precisely what makes Valencia intriguing — and why Detroit was willing to protect him early. Power plays anywhere, but power from behind the plate can change the shape of a roster. The question, as it often is with catching prospects, is whether the defense can catch up enough to allow the bat to play.
At present, Valencia remains a work in progress defensively. Toledo Mud Hens manager Gabe Alvarez has been candid in noting that while Valencia’s effort and athleticism are not in question, the finer points of catching, receiving consistency, blocking, and overall polish, still need refinement. That assessment aligns with how Detroit appears to be handling Valencia: developing him as a catcher first, but with flexibility built into the plan.
That flexibility includes time at first base, a secondary position that could ultimately help Valencia carve out a role at the major league level. Being able to move off the plate occasionally not only reduces wear and tear, but also creates more pathways to at-bats, especially on a roster that already values defense at catcher.
That defensive value is embodied by Jake Rogers, who has firmly established himself as a reliable No. 2 catcher in Detroit. Rogers’ glove, game-calling, and rapport with the pitching staff give him a clear role, even when the bat goes quiet. Valencia doesn’t need to replicate that profile, but he does need to close the gap enough defensively to justify regular usage, particularly if his offensive production continues to separate him from the pack.
Zooming out, Valencia’s presence on the 40-man speaks to a broader organizational strength: the Tigers’ catching depth is as strong as it has been in quite some time. Josue Briceño brings power upside while Thayron Liranzo, despite his down season in 2025, he has a good eye at the plate and can switch hit. With multiple profiles at different stages, Detroit has given itself options, something that hasn’t always been the case at this position.
For Valencia, that means opportunity and pressure coexist. The bat gives him a chance to force the issue, but the defensive improvements will ultimately determine whether he sticks as a true catcher, settles into a hybrid role, or becomes a depth piece who provides insurance across positions. The Tigers don’t need him to be perfect behind the plate; they need him to be playable enough for the offense to matter.
In that sense, Valencia’s 40-man spot reflects confidence in development rather than a finished product. If the defense takes even modest steps forward, Detroit may have found itself a unique complement to Rogers, a catcher who brings legitimate power to the position while offering positional flexibility. And in an organization suddenly rich in catching options, that’s a good problem to have.
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