American League catcher Josue Briceno (34) of the Detroit Tigers c celebrates after scoring a run during the fourth inning against National League at Truist Park on July 12. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Detroit Tigers Exciting Top Prospect Does Something He's Never Done at Double-A

Originally posted on Minor League Baseball on SI
By Brady Farkas | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 2:18 PM ET

Playing at Double-A Erie, Detroit Tigers top prospect Josue Briceno did something he's never done on Friday: Hit a home run. In fact, he hit his first two home runs at that level while playing against the Akron Rubberducks. He hadn't homered in the first 14 games with the SeaWolves.

Josue Briceño's version of a Double-Double

Double serving of Double-A homers

The @tigers prospect serves up his first 2 long balls at the level for the @erie_seawolves: pic.twitter.com/wmhXPow9ES
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 2, 2025

Briceno, a 20-year old catcher/first baseman, was recently promoted to Double-A after hitting .296 with 15 home runs at High-A West Michigan. He's part of a loaded Detroit system that includes Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle, and he's projected to make his major league debut in 2027.

He's the No. 51 prospect in the sport, per MLB Pipeline.

The following comes from a portion of his MLB.com prospect profile:

His defense remains an open question. Briceño was considered below average behind the dish before the injury, and to protect the knee, the Tigers kept him out of the squat with time at first base in Lakeland and Arizona. He’s still rough around the edges at the cold corner, where many believe he’ll eventually land full-time

Josue Briceño launches his 2nd homer of the night. It took him 14 games to get his first Double-A home run, and then 5 innings to get his second. pic.twitter.com/scqyWwLwZq
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) August 2, 2025

At the major league level, the Tigers enter play on Saturday at 64-47 and in first place in the American League Central. After advancing to the American League Division Series last season, they have World Series aspirations this year.

They'll take on the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. ET. In one of the best pitching matchups of the season, defending Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will pitch for Detroit against National League Cy Young runner-up Zack Wheeler.

Skubal is 10-3 while Wheeler is 9-4 with a 2.56 ERA.