In the 2025 MLB Draft, the Detroit Tigers managed to seal deals with their top two picks. Jordan Yost, a shortstop who was the 24th overall pick, agreed to a bonus of $3.25 million, which is below the slot value of $3,726,300. In addition, Michael Oliveto, a catcher who was recruited as the 34th pick, accepted an under-slot bonus of $2.45 million, compared to his slot value of $2,827,300.
Both Yost and Oliveto are only two of the seven high school players that the Tigers have chosen, representing Sickles from Florida and Hauppauge from New York respectively. These early-secured contracts enabled the Tigers to save a considerable $853,600. The savings got distributed into $476,300 from Yost’s deal and $377,300 from Oliveto’s deal.
The freeing up of these funds gives the Tigers a financial cushion to disburse among their other 19 draft picks. This is particularly beneficial for recruits from high schools chosen in the medium and final stages of the draft process. The resulting distribution can often lead to some surprising and exciting talent prospects.
One such potential pick for the Tigers could be River Hamilton, an 11th round option and a commit to LSU. This right-handed pitcher hails from Barlow High School in Oregon and was the 99th draft prospect. He’s also ranked as the 23rd best right-handed pitcher by MLB Pipeline.
Not just that, Hamilton also scored a ranking from Baseball America, landing the 171st spot on their draft prospect list. These rankings and his performance make him an intriguing player to follow, especially given his looming decision with the Detroit Tigers.
Following up on the list, the Tigers have also drafted left-hander Ethan Rogers during the 18th round. Rogers, currently committed to Wichita State, originally played for Lone Jack High School in Missouri. His skills and potential bring another layer of talent to the drafting table.
The selection continued with Meridian Leffew, a shortstop committed to UCF, picked in the 19th round. He comes from Gaston Christian School in North Carolina, further cementing the Tigers’ focus on high school talent. Leffew’s recruitment is part of the Tigers’ strategy of gathering promising players from diverse geographical locations.
Two other high school graduates were also added into the lot of draft picks. Ryan Hall, a right-hander committed to Georgia Tech was chosen in the fifth round from North Gwinnett in Georgia. While Hall certainly elevates the strength of the Tiger’s squad, yet another left-hander Trevor Heishman was also added to the team’s focus.
Heishman, who comes from St. John Bosco in California, was picked in the ninth round and has a commitment to Memphis. As with their other picks, the Tigers have shown a strong commitment to nurturing younger talent. These high school players represent both the current and future potential of the Detroit Tigers.
In terms of the bonus pool, the Tigers have been working with a budget of $10,990,800. This is the 17th highest fund availability among all the 30 MLB teams, providing the Tigers with strategic financial leverage. This bonus pool is a crucial factor influencing the team’s selection and recruitment decisions.
The rules permit any of the MLB teams to surpass their total allocation for picks by a margin of up to 5% before a 75% fine is levied on the excess amount. This stipulation in the rulebook allows teams a certain level of flexibility with their selection spendings, while also maintaining a balance in spending practices.
However, it’s worth noting that since the establishment of these spending slots, no MLB team has ever breached the 5% limit. This restraint shows a conscious decision by teams to control spending and make strategic decisions within their designated financial boundaries.
The Tigers’ drafting decisions in 2025, both in terms of player selection and financial spending, reflect a careful strategy to nurture potential as well as limit expense overruns. Their focus on high school talent and their prudent financial decisions may lay the groundwork for a highly successful season.