Tigers prospects 2026: What to know about Zyhir Hope, Kash Mayfield, more after Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize trades
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Tigers prospects 2026: What to know about Zyhir Hope, Kash Mayfield, more after Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize trades originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Detroit Tigers made the major decision as a franchise to be sellers at the 2026 MLB trade deadline, parting with Tarik Skubal in a blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and then Casey Mize with the San Diego Padres.
While they could've sold even more players, the Tigers still wound up dealing two of the more valuable starting pitchers to go at this year's deadline. Both were rentals, and both landed some truly great returns.
So, after both the Skubal and Mize trades, who did the Tigers get in return as part of their prospect hauls? Zyhir Hope headlined one deal, while Kash Mayfield deadlined the other. Both are fun prospects, but there are even more noteworthy additions to get to know.
What to know about Tigers' new prospects after Mize, Skubal trades
Tarik Skubal trade return: Zyhir Hope, River Ryan, Brady Smith
The best prospect the Tigers got by selling this summer was Hope from the Dodgers. According to MLB Pipeline, he's now the Tigers' No. 2-ranked prospect.
The 21-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder has an .899 OPS this season in 94 games at Double-A with 23 home runs, 87 RBIs, 17 doubles, and a .293 batting average. He's a great prospect and could be up in the Majors before long.
MORE: Tigers receive lousy grade for Tarik Skubal trade to Dodgers from ESPN
River Ryan is the Tigers' new No. 5-ranked prospect, as the 27-year-old right-hander has a 1.33 ERA in four starts in the big leagues across 20.1 innings, and a 4.46 ERA this season in eight starts and 36.1 innings. He's older and is coming off a serious injury, but there's a ton of upside with Ryan.
Brady Smith, the last piece from the Skubal trade, has a 4.36 ERA this season in 21 starts and is the Tigers' new No. 15-ranked prospect. He's 21 years old and is the furthest from the big leagues, but there is some upside here worth being intrigued by.
Casey Mize trade return: Kash Mayfield, Jackson Wolf
Kash Mayfield is the best prospect the Tigers got in the Mize trade with the Padres, which also sent Gage Workman to San Diego.
Ranked at No. 6, right behind Ryan in the Tigers' farm system, Mayfield is a 21-year-old left-handed pitching prospect who had a 2.97 ERA last year in 60.2 innings, and has a 3.54 ERA in 53.1 innings this season at High-A.
Jackson Wolf is not ranked inside the Tigers' Top-30 prospects from MLB Pipeline. He's a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher who has a 5.24 ERA in his minor league career and a 5.40 ERA in 5.0 innings in the Majors.
MORE: How Cubs inadvertently helped Dodgers trade for Tarik Skubal
He's not pitched in MLB since 2023 with the Padres, but there could be something with Wolf if a change of scenery to join the Tigers can put his rough 7.05 ERA in the minors this season behind him.
Tigers trade deadline outcome
Detroit shipped out Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, and Gage Workman at the 2026 MLB trade deadline and landed quite the prospect haul.
In return, they got their new No. 2-ranked prospect in Zyhir Hope, a new No. 5 in River Ryan, a new No. 6 in Kash Mayfield, and a new No. 15 in Brady Smith.
It's a shame to see all of those players go, but the returns the Tigers got could set them up for immense success in the coming seasons.
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