The Detroit Tigers have promoted infield prospect John Peck from Triple-A Toledo, adding another promising player from their farm system to the Major League roster. Peck was in the dugout Monday for the Tigers’ game against the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis.
Manager A.J. Hinch said Peck, ranked Detroit’s No. 20 prospect by MLB Pipeline, would not start Monday. However, he is expected to start at shortstop Tuesday and Wednesday at Target Field.
“We obviously really like him defensively, and we liked how he’s developed offensively over the last couple of seasons,” Hinch said.
To create room for Peck on the Major League roster, Detroit optioned outfielder Corey Julks to Triple-A Toledo.
John Peck’s path to the Tigers
The Tigers selected Peck in the seventh round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Pepperdine. He played under former Tigers shortstop and then-Waves assistant coach Danny Worth, who played an important role in preparing him for a professional baseball career.
Peck now follows Worth into Detroit’s infield after putting together two impressive seasons in the Tigers’ farm system. His 2025 campaign has been particularly notable despite being shortened by an injury.
“He’s a mature guy with just the way he goes about his actions and his business,” Hinch said. “I just told him today he doesn’t have to be perfect. He’s seen some of his former teammates come up and survive the transition. So it should make him believe before he has to go out and do it.
“And I told him he’s here to stay. I want him to get some time on the field and coming off the bench in some games, just get himself used to this level because he has the skills to play reliable defense, show a little bit of power, and see where this opportunity takes him.”
Peck’s minor-league performance
Peck made a strong impression during Spring Training as a non-roster invitee to the Tigers’ Major League camp. He carried that momentum into Double-A Erie, where he posted a .285/.328/.511 slash line with 10 home runs, 17 doubles, three triples, 44 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 58 games.
Detroit promoted Peck to Triple-A Toledo on June 23, but he played in only two games for the Mud Hens before landing on the injured list. He returned to Toledo earlier this week after a rehabilitation assignment and went 7-for-14 with one double, one RBI, three walks and three stolen bases.
Peck has played primarily at shortstop, including all four of his games with Toledo this past week, but he is capable of playing throughout the infield. His reliable infield defense could place him alongside fellow 2023 draftee Kevin McGonigle and Javier Báez in Detroit’s shortstop mix.
Tigers continue promoting prospects
The Tigers have added several prospects to their Major League roster this summer, including top prospect Max Clark, infielder Hao-Yu Lee, outfielders Ben Malgeri and Brett Callahan, and catcher Eduardo Valencia.
Clark and McGonigle were first-round picks, Peck was selected in the seventh round, and Callahan was taken in the 13th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Pitching call-up Andrew Sears, selected in the 10th round, was also part of that draft class.
