Futures Game Hype Builds Around Tigers’ Rising Talent

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 1:49 PM ET

The Futures Game is built to give fans a glimpse of the future. This year, Tigers fans will be treated to more than just a peek.

Detroit is sending three of its top young talents to the national showcase: outfielder Max Clark, catcher Josue Briceno, and infielder Kevin McGonigle. All three are teammates at High-A West Michigan. All three are giving the organization reasons to believe in what’s coming.

Clark, the 2023 third overall pick and MLB Pipeline’s No. 7 overall prospect, is making his second straight Futures Game appearance. He’s slashing .276/.426/.410 through 63 games and has recently started showing more pop. He homered in back-to-back games earlier this month and continues to flash elite speed and discipline. He’s loud. He’s electric. He’s everything the Tigers hoped for.

Briceno, just 19 years old, might be even louder. The left-handed hitting catcher has 14 home runs and a 1.066 OPS since June 1. On May 30, he blasted three homers in one night. A few weeks later, he added a grand slam and a five-RBI performance. Briceno has forced his name into the national conversation.

McGonigle does it differently. The 2023 supplemental first-rounder doesn’t need the long ball to make noise. He’s a pure contact machine, with a .322 average and .829 OPS entering the final week of June. He’s had five-hit games. He’s had weeks where he barely made an out. He just hits—and keeps hitting.

All three players will take the field next month wearing a Tigers logo. They’ll do it on a national stage, against the best in the game. And if what they’ve done in West Michigan is any indication, they’ll be ready for the moment.

The Tigers aren’t just sending prospects to the Futures Game. They’re sending a message

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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