The Tigers' top-five farm system has added another power arm.
The Detroit Tigers acquired a young player who could be a big part of their organization moving forward on Saturday in a trade with the San Diego Padres. Blake Dickerson, the 19-year-old pitcher, was acquired for $500,000 in combined international bonus money.
With the Tigers franchise at a crossroads, outfielder Javier Baez made a poignant statement about his recent struggles since arriving from the Mets in 2022.
The Tigers also agreed to a contract with a former Brewers top prospect.
And on Saturday, GM Jeff Greenberg's trade for Dickerson was highlighted.
Dickerson's potential has been revealed for the Tigers
The Tigers' rookie is 19 years old and was a 12th-round pick of the Padres in the 2023 draft out of Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia.
He received a $500,000 bonus, the equivalent of a fourth-round pick according to MLBTradeRumors.com.
He is ranked by Baseball America as the No. 22 prospect in the Padres farm system entering 2024.
Where Blake Dickerson fits in with the Tigers
Manager AJ Hinch's Detroit Tigers farm system rose from No. 16 overall in the summer of 2023 by Baseball America to No. 5 overall entering the 2024 spring training season.
This puts them higher than they have ever been at all but one time in Detroit Tigers history.
Dickerson is a left-handed infielder with a high-speed fastball and an above-average curveball.
The 6-foot-6 pitching prospect has a chance “to be the No. 4 prospect or bullpen of the future” depending on how his changeup develops according to MLB rumors.
