Wilmer

Flores

No real surprises here among the latest cuts for Detroit. Leonard is probably the closest to contributing at the highest level after batting .263/.326/.455 with 10 homers and seven steals across 282 plate appearances last year at Triple-A Toledo. Flores, no relation to the Giants first baseman, was limited to just 20 appearances last year in the minors due to injury, but was a highly-touted pitching prospect just two years ago.

Flores was non-tendered back in November after pitching to a 7.84 ERA, 1.97 WHIP, and a 29/25 K/BB ratio over 31 innings across three minor league levels in 2024. Flores was a one-time Top 100 prospect, so the Tigers will keep him in the organization and hope he can re-capture that magic. The 23-year-old can make up to $1 million if he pitches in MLB games next year.

The 23-year-old right-hander was once considered an intriguing pitching prospect for the Tigers but he struggled to a cringe-inducing 7.84 ERA, 1.97 WHIP and a 29/25 K/BB ratio over 31 innings across three minor league levels in 2024. It’s possible that they still attempt to bring him back on a minor league deal, but there could be other teams interested in what was once a very promising young arm.

Leonard was reportedly in the running for a bench spot with Detroit, but the club ultimately will send him down to Triple-A to start the season. The 23-year-old posted a .904 OPS in 40 games with Triple-A Toledo in 2023, so there’s likely a chance he gets an opportunity down the road barring an injury.

Flores has emerged as one of the better pitching prospects in the game and just wrapped up a solid Arizona Fall League campaign. The 22-year-old right-hander compiled a strong 4.65 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 90/33 K/BB ratio across 89 innings (21 starts) this past season between High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie.

Flores had been on the injured list since mid-July with a hamstring strain. In his return to the mound Saturday, he allowed two runs over five innings while striking out seven and didn’t allow a free pass. The 22-year-old is the younger brother of Wilmer Flores and has a 3.90 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 80 2/3 innings for Double-A Erie. He will likely make his major league debut next season and projects to be a back-end of the rotation starter.

Flores, 21, didn’t issue a walk and gave up just a hit. The right-hander has been outstanding in 2022 as seen in a 2.30 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and borderline unrealistic 85/10 K/BB ratio over 58 2/3 innings. The younger brother of -- you guessed it -- Wilmer Flores has quickly become one of the top pitching prospects in the Detroit system, and it’s not out of the question that he could make some appearances for the Tigers in 2023. Long-term, the only question is if he has a third pitch/build to be a starter.

Flores, 21, allowed just a hit with one walk in the contest. It was the first start at the Double-A level for the right-hander, and it couldn’t have gone much better. With the aforementioned strikeouts and free pass, he now possesses a ridiculous 42/3 K/BB ratio and lowers his ERA to 1.46 over 24 2/3 innings. The younger brother of Giants infielder Wilmer Flores -- yes, this will get confusing -- little Wilmer has a plus fastball and curve along with a developing change. He appears to have tapped into his upside, and he has a chance to be a mid-rotation starter or better in the coming years. Keep an eye on baby bro.