The Detroit Tigers are building for the future, and the latest mock drafts suggest they're keeping a sharp eye on young bats. Both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline have projected the Tigers to select a high school hitter with the No. 22 overall pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, set for July 11-12 in Philadelphia.

In its third mock draft, Baseball America slotted Trevor Condon—an outfielder from Etowah High School in Woodstock, Georgia—to Detroit. "Condon has had a strong spring," notes Carlos Collazo of Baseball America, "and teams seem to have a lot of comfort in his track record, contact skills, center field profile, and plus speed. Detroit is generally linked to tons of high school hitters."

Meanwhile, MLB Pipeline's first official mock draft offers a slightly different name but the same profile: Aiden Ruiz, a shortstop from The Stony Brook School in New York. Pipeline's Jim Callis describes Ruiz as "the best defender in the Draft," noting that he pushed presumptive top-two pick Grady Emerson to third base on the U.S. 18-and-under national team at the World Cup. "He also offers bat-to-ball skills from both sides of the plate," Callis adds, "albeit with questionable power."

If the Tigers go this route, it would continue a clear organizational trend. Detroit has used its last three top picks—and four of the last five—on high school prospects. That list includes Florida shortstop Jordan Yost (No. 24 overall last summer), right-hander Jackson Jobe (2021), outfielder Max Clark (2023), and shortstop Bryce Rainer (2024).

The Tigers have also doubled down on prep talent in later rounds. After selecting Clark in 2023, they grabbed shortstop Kevin McGonigle with a competitive-balance pick at No. 37. McGonigle has since emerged as one of MLB's top rookies. Similarly, after taking Yost in 2025, Detroit used its No. 34 pick on prep catcher Michael Oliveto.

While the Tigers appear to be stockpiling position-player talent, the draft's first round will also be a key opportunity to address their pitching depth. For now, though, the message is clear: Detroit is betting big on young, athletic hitters who can grow into the next wave of Tigers baseball.