The Detroit Tigers are sitting atop the AL Central, and despite some rough patches in July and early August, they’ve won 12 of their last 18 games. They’re looking like the contenders many expected them to be.
But there’s still room to improve the roster, and the most obvious spot that could be addressed before season’s end is at third base. As Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press identified, one Tigers prospect could get the call-up to the majors “soon.”
“Detroit Tigers prospect Hao-Yu Lee is coming soon. There isn’t a timetable, but the 22-year-old infielder – acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2023 Michael Lorenzen trade – could be promoted for his MLB debut at some point in the final 45 days of the 2025 season.”
Lee has spent the entire 2025 season in Triple-A, and he’s been a solid contributor. He’s hitting .230 with 12 home runs, 15 doubles, seven triples, 45 RBIs, and a .738 OPS in 98 games.
The Tigers’ seventh-ranked prospect has been decent in the minors this season, even if he took a step back from his 2024 production at Double-A. With Detroit potentially calling Lee up in the final month and a half of the season, his connection with Tigers All-Star Riley Greene is worth noting.
“All I talked about was mental with him. Really, it’s just having the confidence every time. We’re going to go through ups and downs, and we’re going to go through more downs than ups, and it’s staying confident knowing that you’re going to get through it. You’re going to get that one hit that gets you out of it. Confidence is key in this game.”
Greene’s message to Lee was straightforward: believe in yourself. Greene has dealt with slumps both in the majors and during his minor league journey.
Despite the struggles, Greene maintains his confidence, and that’s the mindset he’s passing along to Lee. The third base/second base prospect is positioned to make his MLB debut later in 2025, and Greene’s advice could help him adjust to the big leagues.
With the postseason approaching and expanded rosters beginning in September, the Tigers could get a good look at Lee. If he impresses during his late-season stint, he could even factor into the team’s postseason run this October.
The way I see it, it’s smart timing for Detroit. They’re in contention, Lee’s ready for the next level, and September call-ups give them a chance to evaluate talent without major risk. That’s how you build depth for a playoff push.
