It’s not September just yet but the Tigers will give a former first-round pick, Ty Madden, his first crack against MLB action. The 24-year-old Madden will join the Tigers rotation on August 26, in what could be considered an early audition for 2025. And, it will give Madden a chance to out a tough run in Triple-A behind him.
A Look at Madden
Tigers pitching prospect Ty Madden put up a strong junior season with Texas in 2021, as he struck out 137 over 113.2 IP for the Longhorns, a team rich in tradition and one that knows how to produce pitching prospects. His 2021 campaign capped off a strong college career and pushed him into the first round, as the Tigers selected him 32nd overall three years after he was a 34th-round pick by Kansas City.
Madden struck out 133 across two levels in the 2022 season, which he ended in Double-A. He struck out 146 more in Erie last season and cemented himself as a potential future starter for Detroit. It hasn’t been a strong 2024, though, for Madden. Madden pitched well across four starts in Double-A (22 K, 2.55 ERA over 17.2 IP) but got shelled with the Toledo Mud Hens (AAA).
The Tigers prospect will leave Toledo with the 12th-most strikeouts (102) in the International League. But, Madden also sported a 7.02 ERA, 17 home runs allowed, and a .302 opponent batting average. Had that batting average qualified, it would have been the worst in the IL.
Madden possesses a tough-to-repeat delivery but power stuff. His fastball will primarily sit in the low-90s (min. 91 MPH) but be as high as 96 MPH, Madden used his four-seamer around 44% of the time in Triple-A (among recorded pitches), and he’ll pair it with a low-80s slider that showed good, late break with the Mud Hens.
His slider had a 46.8% Whiff% rate this season per Statcast. Madden will also work with a cutter and low-80s changeup, both of which he didn’t use much with the Mud Hens; the changeup was used 1.7% of the time this season. It does separate well from a pitch speed differential — about 10 MPH — compared to the fastball.
Madden owned a career-worst 10.3 H/9 and 4.0 BB/9 rate this season.
Ty Madden will make his MLB debut for the Tigers on August 26 against the White Sox.
Analysis
While Madden has struggled with the Mud Hens in 2024, the move to call him up now makes sense for several reasons. One, it allows the Tigers to see what they have with Madden and whether he’s a feasible option for 2025. Additionally, the move takes Madden out of play for the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. He would have been Rule 5 eligible had he not been on the 40-man roster this winter. He is now, as he’s a member of the Tigers’ active roster.
Detroit’s rotation for 2025 is far from set. Tarik Skubal is locked in unless a trade or injury arises. The same can be said for Reese Olson, currently in the IL with shoulder soreness. However, outside of Olson and Skubal, not much can be assumed. Casey Mize is a good bet but needs to stay healthy. Keider Montero has looked good thus far, while Jackson Jobe could be an option at some point in the spring of next season.
Thus, this first taste of MLB action is a good opportunity for Madden to impress for a role next season.
There’s not much doubt Madden has the stuff to be an MLB pitcher; his arsenal has gotten strikeouts at all levels in the Minors. However, is he a starter long-term? There are command issues, though, and that could mean Madden is ultimately a reliever with three above-average pitches.
Fantasy Outlook
Madden was a pitcher on our fantasy radar last season, thanks to his high strikeout numbers and stuff. His production at Triple-A makes it tough to recommend Madden right now. Madden is a former first-round pick and he’s shown flashes of brilliance. However, one would want to see how well he can do at the MLB level first.