The Detroit Tigers acquired a shining top prospect before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Right-hander River Ryan was traded to the Motor City in a package that included ace Tarik Skubal.
Now, the Tigers are encouraged to promote Ryan as the organization continues to chase the AL Wild Card spot.
Detroit Tigers Urged To Call Up Top Prospect
The Detroit Tigers are urged to promote new top prospect River Ryan
According to Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis and Sam Dykstra of MLB.com, the Tigers would be doing themselves a favor by promoting River sooner rather than later.
“… Ryan averaged 97.7 mph with his four-seamer with Triple-A Oklahoma City this summer before the trade, so that’s in line with his pre-injury velo,” the trio wrote. “His five other pitches, highlighted by a low-90s slider, could all play at least at Major League quality, and that type of high-octane arsenal would be a big addition in Detroit’s AL Wild Card hunt.”
The 28-year-old starter made his debut a few years ago, back in July 2024.
That year, he registered a clean 1.33 ERA and 18 strikeouts across 20.1 innings through four starts. He walked nine batters.
He was selected by the San Diego Padres 340th overall in the 11th round of the 2021 MLB draft. However, in March 2022, the Padres shipped him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Matt Beaty.
But this summer, Ryan was on the move once again, this time to Detroit. He was part of a blockbuster trade, which sent Skubal to the Dodgers. In return, the Tigers received Ryan, Zyhir Hope and Brady Smith.
Ryan is now Detroit’s No. 4 prospect — he has yet to appear in a Major League game with the franchise.
In Triple-A, he is riding a 4.46 ERA and 43 strikeouts across 36.1 innings through eight starts. He’s walked eight batters.
Indeed, promoting Ryan could certainly boost the Tigers as they further cement themselves in the running for the Wild Card spot this year.
Where the Tigers Stand Right Now
GettyManager A.J. Hinch and the Detroit Tigers are looking to clinch the AL Wild Card spot this year
Ahead of Detroit’s series opener against the Kansas City Royals on Friday night, the Tigers are currently second-to-last in the AL Central at 61-66 overall.
They sit atop the Royals (55-74) but trail the Cleveland Guardians (62-66), the Minnesota Twins (63-65) and the Chicago White Sox (66-61).
Looking at FanGraphs’ Latest MLB Playoff Odds, as of Aug. 21, Detroit has a 6.3% chance of clinching the Wild Card and a 13.9% chance of making the playoffs. They stand a 0.7% chance of winning the World Series.
The Tigers are now embarking on a three-game series against Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium.
Following this stretch, Detroit will return home to Comerica Park to host the Rays for a three-game homestand.
Then, they will face the Dodgers for another homestand. Of course, this is expected to be a grueling matchup for the Tigers.
The summer schedule is wrapping up quickly, and losing any momentum at this point in the season would be detrimental to the organization.
Detroit Tigers Urged To Promote New Top Prospect Amid AL Wild Card Hunt